Certificate in Wound Debridement (Level 7)
This is New Zealand’s only qualification in wound debridement and provides competency in conservative sharp wound debridement (CSWD). To apply for this Certificate, you’ll need to be an existing health professional (RN, Nurse Practitioner, EN, Podiatrist or Doctor) working with adults and performing wound care procedures (at least weekly). You’ll need organisational support from your employer to undertake mentor supervised CSWD procedures.
Domestic
About the programme
Are you a health professional who wants to upskill in wound debridement procedures?
Non-healing wounds greatly affect a person’s quality of life and present an economic healthcare issue. Chronic wounds are estimated to cost first-world countries between 3-5% of total healthcare expenditure.
This is New Zealand’s first and only qualification in wound debridement and provides competency in conservative sharp wound debridement (CSWD).
To apply for this Certificate, you’ll need to be an existing health professional (RN, Nurse Practitioner, EN, Podiatrist or Doctor) working with adults and performing wound care procedures (at least weekly). You’ll need organisational support from your employer to undertake mentor supervised CSWD procedures within your health care setting.
You need to provide a mentor(s) who can assist with your competencies, in clinical practice, after you have attended the two-day practicum. Your mentor must be performing CSWD competently in practice and a registered health care professional (e.g. RN, NP, Podiatrist, Doctor). If you are unable to find a mentor, we can assist with this, but you may have to travel to the mentor's organisation to complete your competencies.
Benefits
- Train under New Zealand Wound Care Society clinical nurse specialists.
- The study programme was co-designed by international Wound Care expert and educator, Wendy White.
- Practical practicum with a significant focus on developing clinical skills.
- Work-based learning ensures opportunities to safely practise clinical skills.
This programme is delivered by the New Zealand Wound Care Society and Wendy White in collaboration with Otago Polytechnic. It runs from 7 April 2025 - 7 October 2025. There is one, face-to-face, two-day practicum as part of your study. There are two locations for this practicum:
- Dunedin - Wednesday 25 and Thursday 26 June, 2025
- Auckland - Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 July, 2025
A maximum of 20 learners can be accommodated at each site (either Dunedin or Auckland). We will contact you to book your preferred site.
Please note: An early application will secure your preferred site.
What You Study
Courses
What and Why of Wound Debridement (3 credits)
Develop an understanding of pathology, pathophysiology, aetiology, and factors affecting wound healing, and how and when wound debridement can benefit patients.
Topics
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History and relevance of wound debridement
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Aetiology of wounds
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Pathophysiology of wounds
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Barriers to healing
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Wound infection and biofilm
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Wound hygiene
Weeks 1-3
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8 hours per week online directed learning
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5 hours self-directed learning
Debridement Modalities (3 credits)
Discuss and justify the selection of a range of wound debridement modalities to promote optimal clinical outcomes for wounds in adult patients.
Topics
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Debridement options
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Indications, contraindications, referral criteria
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Scope of practice
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Multidisciplinary approaches
Weeks 4-6
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8 hours per week online directed learning
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5 hours self-directed learning
Pain Management (2 credits)
Evaluate pain and provide appropriate and ongoing pain management for patients under going wound debridement.
Topics
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Pathophysiology of pain
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Evaluation of pain
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Pain management options
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Pharmacology of pain management options
Weeks 7-8
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8 hours per week online directed learning
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3 hours self-directed learning
Clinical Assessment and Skills (7 credits)
Develop practical clinical skills in holistically assessing a wound and safely performing wound debridement modalities.
Topics
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Lower limb and foot assessment
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Arterial and venous investigations and management options
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Diabetic foot and multidisciplinary approach considerations
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Māori models of care (e.g. Te Whare Tapa Whā)
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Two-day practical debridement workshops includes conservative sharp wound debridement practical skills.
Weeks 9-16
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16 hours (2 day) face-to-face practicum
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10 hours online directed learning
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30 hours work-based learning
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10 hours self-directed learning
Weeks 17-26
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No teaching – these weeks are to allow you enough time to complete your five CSWD competencies
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4 hours to complete your workbook focusing on the lower limb and foot
- Submission of your portfolio (consisting of your five achieved competencies and workbook)
Workload
Your workload
This Certificate has 16 weeks of online learning and 10 weeks to complete your work-based, clinical placement with your mentor/s, at which you will gain five competencies in CSWD. If you require competency to debride wounds on the foot, at least one foot competency on the foot must be completed (this may be at your usual place of work or at another organisation depending on where your mentor/s are located).
All study is highly-structured and self-directed and you will need to have good time management skills. You should typically aim for around 9 hours of study per week. You’ll need to complete at least 30 hours of work-based learning during this programme, although this may be less if you have prior debridement experience.
Two-day workshop
You will also attend a two-day, face-to-face workshop. CSWD competency assessments with your mentor/s commence after completion of this practicum.
There are two locations available for this workshop.
- Dunedin - Wednesday 26 and Thursday 27 June, 2024
- Auckland - Wednesday 3 and Thursday 4 July, 2024.
We will contact you to advise which workshop you will need to attend.
Entry
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
You must currently be, or be equivalent to, one of the following:
- A Registered Doctor with the Medical Council of New Zealand
- A Registered Nurse with the Nursing Council of New Zealand
- Accredited as an Enrolled Nurse with the Nursing Council of New Zealand, with at least three years of experience
- Hold an annual practising certificate issued by the Podiatrists Board of New Zealand.
English Language requirements
If English is not your first language, you must provide:
- New Zealand University Entrance OR
- Overall Academic IELTS 6.0 with no individual band score lower than 5.5 (achieved in one test completed in the last two years) OR
- Acceptable alternative evidence of the required IELTS (see here for NZQA proficiency table and here for list of recognised proficiency tests).
If you need to improve your English Language skills, we offer a wide range of English programmes.
Other requirements
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Disclose any criminal convictions prior to commencing the programme.
- Consent to a police check prior to commencing the programme.
The above is to ensure that, while on work placement, you comply with workplace obligations for the protection for vulnerable adults under the Crimes Act 2012. See sections 151, 195, and 195A.
- You must have access to a workplace with the appropriate supervision (mentor/s), equipment, and patient load. You'll be required to submit this Letter of Employer Support with your application to confirm your workplace can provide these necessities and can support your learning. Please find the Mentor/Learner Agreement here (this is just for your records and does not need to be submitted).
- You need to provide a mentor(s) who can assist with your competencies, in clinical practice, after you have attended the two-day practicum. Your mentor must be performing CSWD competently in practice and a registered health care professional (e.g. RN, NP, Podiatrist, Doctor). If you are unable to find a mentor, we can assist with this, but you may have to travel to the mentor's organisation to complete your competencies.
Selection process
If the number of applicants exceeds the available places, a waitlist will be used to ensure preference is given to applicants in order of application.
Recognition of prior learning
Some learners may come to this Certificate with prior knowledge and work experience. This programme has been structured as a group of smaller courses to allow provision for this. Provided learners can pass the assessments for the relevant course, recognition of prior learning will be allowed.
Fees
Domestic fees
Additional costs
You’ll need to cover the cost of any travel and accommodation (if required) associated with attending our two-day workshop (in Dunedin or Auckland).
Your workplace will be required to confirm they can provide adequate resourcing of equipment, patient caseload, and supervision. You'll need to submit this Letter of Employer Support along with your application (this letter is also linked to in the Entry Requirements above).
Student loans and allowances are not available for this programme.
Student loans and allowances
Student loans and allowances are not available for this programme.
Fees Free
The Government has announced that Fees Free for the first year of study or training will finish at the end of 2024. A final-year Fees Free policy will replace it, starting from 1 January 2025.
If you are a first-time tertiary learner in 2025, you may be able to get Fees Free for your final year of study or training. If you are eligible, you will need to apply for your entitlement through IRD from 2026 onwards.
For more information about the transition from first-year Fees Free or the final-year Fees Free policy, visit FeesFree.govt.nz.
