Hi , login or create a new account below

In order to comply with national needs, imperatives of the National Department of Health, requirements of the South African Qualifications (SAQA) Bill and the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Bill, the Professional Board for Emergency Care has reviewed the structure of the education and training programmes in emergency care.

In line with the requirements by the National Department of Health, the Board, in consultation with the National Department of Health and after wide consultation with stakeholders, restructured the existing AEA and CCA short courses into a formal two year Advanced Life Support National
Certificate: Emergency Care (240 credits on NQF level 5). The programme is registered with SAQA and the first intake of students occurred in 2007. The National Certificate programme outcomes falls within the Higher Education Band and are based on the Emergency Care Technician (ECT) providing advanced life support. Holders of the National Certificate will have an opportunity to progress and obtain further higher qualifications in emergency care. This qualification is currently being offered by provincial ambulance training colleges, the South African Military Health Services, as well as some of the Universities of Technology.

In keeping with the implementation of the new framework it is necessary to gradually cease new registrations. The BAA and CCA registers will close on 1 December 2010 and the tentative date for closure of the AEA register is 1 December 2014. However, the closure date of this register will be reviewed during 2012. BAA and CCA qualifications will not be recognised for registration purposes with effect from 1 December 2010. It is important to note that persons who are registered as BAA’s and CCA’s on 1 December 2010 will retain their registrations and will continue to practice, however the closure of the register means that no new names will be added to these registers after this date. Regulations relating to the closing of the registers will be published by the Minister of Health in the Government Gazette for public comment before promulgation. The phasing out of the short course training is supported by the National Department of Health. Existing practitioners will receive recognition for their prior training and experience and are encouraged to migrate to the new qualifications.

Higher Education Institutions will be required to align their education and training programmes in emergency care with the SAQA and NQF legislation. The three year National Diploma and one year post graduate B Tech Programme have been restructured and submitted to SAQA in the form
of a four year Bachelor of Emergency Medical Care degree (480 credits on NQF level 8) with the possibility of direct articulation into Masters and Doctoral Programmes in Emergency Medical Care. The Higher Education Institutions are required to start the process of phasing out their three-year National Diploma and implementing the four-year Bachelor Degree.