Certificate in Wound Debridement (Level 7)
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 (EN, RN, NP, Podiatrist, 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 (EN, RN, NP, Podiatrist, 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.
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 workshops 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.
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 workshop
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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 Practicum
You will also attend a two-day, face-to-face block course at the Dunedin campus. CSWD competency assessments with your mentor/s commence after completion of this practicum.
These will run:
- 5-6 July 2023
- 12-13 July 2023
Learners will be advised which workshop they are in upon acceptance to the programme.
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.
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
International fees
Additional costs
You’ll need to cover the cost of any travel and accommodation (if required) associated with attending our two-day Dunedin Campus workshop.
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.
Disclaimer
While every effort is made to ensure that this sheet is accurate, Otago Polytechnic reserves the right to amend, alter or withdraw any of the contained information. The fees shown in this document are indicative only. Both domestic and international fees are subject to change and are dependent on the development and implementation of Government policies. Please note that additional fees may from time to time be required for external examination, NZQA fees and/or additional material fees.
