Work-Study Certificate Leading to a Diploma in Health Sciences (Health Management)

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Work-Study Certificate Leading to a Diploma in Health Sciences (Health Management)

Work-Study Certificate Leading to a Diploma in Health Sciences (Health Management)

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About the Course

Many individuals, particularly those grappling with chronic conditions, often lack sufficient knowledge regarding managing their health, encompassing vital behaviours such as regular exercise and healthy nutrition, thereby resulting in inadequate self-care skills. This course is designed to bolster your comprehension of these challenges, foster healthy behaviours, including exercise and nutrition, and equip you to collaborate effectively with a multidisciplinary team of healthcare professionals to uphold the health and well-being of individuals within the community.

Moreover, the amalgamation of increasing longevity and declining fertility rates is precipitating a demographic shift known as the greying of the population. By 2030, projections suggest that one in four Singaporeans will be aged 65 years or older. This demographic transformation, often termed the "silver tsunami," is placing heightened demands on Singapore's healthcare system due to the elevated prevalence of chronic health conditions spanning all age groups

What is so unique about this programme?

You will also work closely with various healthcare institutions, including intermediate long term care institutions, General Practitioners, family and the community at large. Specifically, your role will include coaching, navigating and coordinating health and social care that support seniors’ across their life span and care continuum.

Your crucial and consequential coordinated efforts will allow our community dwelling pre-frail and frail seniors to grow old gracefully, living in the community, as long as possible.

Target Audience

Care Coordinator Associate, Community Care Coordinator, Health Coach, Senior Patient Care Associate, Senior Patients Associate, Social Work Assistant

How often do I need to attend the course?

Lessons will be held at Republic Polytechnic @ Woodlands
Course commences in October.

Number of Lesson	Duration
3 times a week	7:00pm – 10:00pm

Note: Some lessons will be conducted via online learning.

This Work-Study Certificate will take 18 months to complete .

Additional 12 months (2 MCs) to be completed on personal time for the award of a Diploma.

Participants will be awarded the Modular Certificate (MC) upon successful completion of each certificate programme. The Diploma in Health Science (Health Management) will be issued upon meeting 50% of attendance requirement and passing all coursework and assessment.

Certification (180 hours)	Modules
Understanding Health Across Lifespan	Health Psychology Sociology of Health and Social Care Biopsychosocial Aspects of Ageing Active Ageing Project on Health Across Lifespan
Promoting Health Behaviours	Health Promotion Health and Wellness Behaviour Change Nutrition Care Process Project on Promoting Health Behaviours
Community Care	Assessment and Management of Chronic Diseases Falls and Frailty Prevention Case Management Integrated Care Project on Community Care
Communication in Healthcare	Counselling and Communication Health Coaching Communicating with Community Partners Project on Communication in Healthcare
Promoting Health Through Exercise	Inclusive Physical Activity Psychosocial Aspects of Exercise Exercise Programming and Assessment Sports and Exercise Prescription Project on Health Through Exercise

Module Synopses

1. Certificate in Understanding Health Across Lifespan

Health Psychology

This module aims to introduce the field of health psychology. Students will explore the links between mental processes and behaviours as related to health and illness. This module encourages critical awareness of the role of psychological theory and methodology in maintaining healthy functioning. Topics include theories of healthy behaviour, health enhancing behaviour, health risk behaviour, and rehabilitation. This course will also challenge students to critically evaluate the role that cognition, society and the environment play in the health of individuals.

Sociology of Health and Social Care

This module will address sociological issues related to health and illness with emphasis on seniors. Students will obtain basic knowledge on the influence of social, economic, cultural and environmental factors on health-related behaviour and attitudes as well as their impact on chronic illnesses among seniors. Socio-economic, and cultural dimensions of individual and health-related behaviour, attitude and beliefs including the structure, dynamics and roles of social support services will be explored. Students will also learn to manage and care for the elderly by applying relevant social theories.

Biopsychosocial Aspects of Ageing

This module will provide students with an in-depth understanding of the biopsychosocial needs of seniors. Students will learn to view ageing from a holistic perspective and at the same time differentiate and manage biological, physical, psychological and physiological ageing. Students will also acquire knowledge and skills related to mental wellness and resilience for seniors in order to promote positive ageing.

Active Ageing

This module provides students with the opportunity to develop in-depth understanding of active ageing. It aims to equip students with the knowledge to be able to plan and deliver programmes designed to take a proactive approach to preventive health and active ageing. Students will study physical activity and nutrition for the elderly, chronic diseases affecting the elderly and mental well-being in this population group. They will also learn about the methods of increasing health literacy in the ageing population. In an attempt to authenticate learning experiences in ageing, students will discuss government interventions on successful ageing, for example, the initiatives recommended by the Ministerial Committee on Ageing (MOH, 2016).

Project on Health Across Lifespan

This student led project focuses on health behaviours, physical activity and nutrition across the lifespan with emphasis on the elderly. The module will allow students to understand how psychology and sociology of health, and biopsychosocial aspects of ageing impact health and well-being, thus promoting active ageing. Students on the ELP track will be involved in an On-the-Job training at the place of employment.

2. Certificate in Promoting Health Behaviours

Health Promotion

This module will build students' understanding of key theoretical concepts and principles in health promotion, and of contemporary challenges in the practice of health promotion. It will also enable students to work in a variety of population groups, and in a wide range of settings. It will introduce the science and art of health promotion through evidence-based individual, community and societal approaches for improving health and preventing illness, including needs assessment, priority setting, and planning and developing health promotion initiatives. By the end of the module, students will appreciate the different dimensions of health promotion and systematically design and evaluate health promotion programmes.

Health and Wellness

This module seeks to address general health concepts, personal health issues and adaptive strategies to lead a healthy lifestyle. Students will understand the need to maintain a healthy lifestyle throughout their lives, gaining a personal as well as holistic understanding of health and wellness. Topics covered include hygiene and skin care, alternative medicine, wellness therapy, sexually transmitted infections, addictions, nutritional needs, posture and care, genes and health, workplace health and current global health threats.

Behaviour Change

Most people understand the importance of healthy living, but choose to live in an unhealthy manner. This module aims to help students achieve practical strategies to manage, maintain and motivate health reinforcing behaviours. Topics include theories for behavioural change, techniques, intervention, and motivational factors for behavioural management. Students will also look into specific health issues, and be grounded in research findings relating to these issues. At the end of the module, students should possess relevant knowledge and applicable techniques to help specific groups of clients in addressing their health needs.

Nutrition Care Process

The module will introduce fundamental pathophysiology and concepts of dietary assessment and disease-nutrient management. A nutrition care approach will be used as a framework in the module, with introduction to disease-nutrient relationships. Students will also develop ability to apply medical nutrition care on common chronic medical conditions. Nutritional management give students opportunity to deepen their learning through investigation of client’s health condition(s), plan and execute intervention and education, and re-evaluate client’s progress with follow-up.

Project on Health Across Lifespan

This student led project focuses on promoting health and wellness through adopting of health behaviours related to physical and mental health, including emphasis on nutritional health. Students will display their knowledge and skills through the development of a health promoting management plan, after assessing and evaluating client’s health condition(s). Students on the ELP track will be involved in an On-the-Job training at the place of employment.

3. Certificate in Community Care

Assessment and Management of Chronic Diseases

This module is designed as a holistic module that will commence with preparation of students to be able to conduct an assessment of vital parameters related to selected common chronic medical conditions. Students will then follow through to understand the pathophysiology, etiology, predisposing factors, common diagnostic tests, nursing and medical management of the selected chronic conditions. Students will also gain a deeper understanding on how these chronic conditions impact the lives of the elderly living in the community. Importantly, students will be taught on identification of “red flags” and how to prevent and manage them.

Falls and Frailty Prevention

This module aims to educate students on frailty and fall prevention in the elderly population. Students will gain theory and practical knowledge on the different types of screening and physical assessments, the health and fitness components and the importance of balance and mobility in this population. This module will also provide tools to plan and implement the different types of exercises and/or functional fitness programmes safely and effectively in order for the senior or elderly population to live independent lives.

Case Management

This module introduces students to the concept of case management within Singapore; its collaborative process in assessing and identifying needs of clients and their caregivers, developing care plans, and the coordination and mobilisation of resources available in the community. Students will gain an appreciation of the complexities in the coordination of care amongst various stakeholders such as the service providers, clients and their caregivers, while maintaining the desired health outcome and cost

Integrated Care

This module examines the dynamics of the Transitional Care Model on individuals living with multiple chronic conditions who transit from acute to community care settings. Students will be introduced to concepts of health goals, care coordination and continuity of care throughout acute episodes of illness, etc. They will learn to streamline care plans to prevent readmission and to prepare patients, their families and / or caregivers to implement the care plans through working with a multidisciplinary team. This module will also equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills that would enable them to perform as Care Coordinators in the healthcare industry.

Project on Community Care

This student led project focuses on enabling seniors to cope and live gracefully in the community with their chronic medical conditions. Students will work with a client and propose a care plan that will include the programmes to help the client live independently. Students on the ELP track will be involved in an On-the-Job training at the place of employment.

4. Certificate in Communication in Healthcare

Counselling and Communication

This module is designed to reinforce the concept that counselling is a special relationship built on confidentiality, mutual respect and open communication with the intention to help people identify their problems, and to achieve resolution where possible. Through the counselling process, students will embark on a fulfilling and satisfying journey of self-discovery and be introduced to the professional issues in a helping relationship. Topics covered include the theoretical approaches, the counselling process, ethics and confidentiality, and the interpersonal skills required to conduct a session in individual or group settings.

Health Coaching

This module aims to equip students with advanced communication and health coaching skills. It introduces students to theoretical framework and evidence- based approaches such as motivational interviewing so that they can help develop more autonomy in their clients. The module also prepares students to educate clients on chronic disease management, mental health issues, polypharmacy and coping strategies in a more engaging and compassionate manner.

Communicating with Community Partners

This module will introduce students to the integrated healthcare system in Singapore. Students will be taught to identify the community resources or assets for clients with health and social issues. These assets include people, places or structures and community services. Students will use these community resources to help the community grow and improve the resident’s quality of life. As a result, students will be able to effectively coordinate health and social care in the community with community partners.

Project on Communication in Healthcare

This student led project focuses on students using their communication and health coaching skills to teach seniors to change their unhealthy behaviors through motivational interviewing techniques. Emphasis will be placed on utilisation of health promotion and health coaching strategies and engaging community partners to promote health and wellness among seniors.Students on the ELP track will be involved in an On-the-Job training at the place of employment.

5. Certificate in Promoting Health Through Exercise

Inclusive Physical Activity

This module aims to provide knowledge of individuals with different disabilities and/or differentiated abilities to be considered as inclusive profiles. In this module, information of adapted strategies for effective inclusion within the community is also introduced using physical activities.

Students will appreciate varying recreational and sporting needs of different inclusive profiles through physical activities. They will also understand the challenges of these inclusive profiles from the human developmental viewpoint. This will help students to modify physical activities to help the different inclusive profiles to be included in physical play, games and even sports.

Students will realise the need to screen and assess the health, physical and fitness conditions before implementing and adapting activities to suit the needs of different inclusive profiles. They will also learn the importance and benefits of inclusive physical activity programming, and be aware of sensitivities associated with programme management for different inclusive profiles.

Psychosocial Aspects of Exercise

Psychology is the scientific study of how people behave, think and feel. This module introduces the fundamentals of exercise psychology. It starts with an introduction to major psychological concepts including the development of thought, language and personality. Following this, students will learn about factors influencing participation in physical activity, the effects of exercise on psychological and mental well-being, and cultural aspects to physical activity participation

Exercise Programming and Assessment

This module aims to equip students with the theoretical knowledge and the fundamental practical skills required for health and fitness assessments across the broad range of population; from athletes to youths, elderly, and the special population such as those with chronic diseases. Topics covered include exercise safety and first aid, screening of clients; with focus areas on anthropometrical assessments, as well as fitness assessments for the development and maintenance of cardio-respiratory fitness, muscular strength, power and endurance, flexibility, rehabilitation, and weight control. Students would also equip themselves with the evolving trends in the sports, health and fitness industry and the ethical issues in the delivery of sports and fitness activities.

Sports and Exercise Prescription

This module aims to equip students with the practical skills and theoretical knowledge required for prescribing exercise programs across a broad range of population; from athletes to special population such as senior citizens and those with chronic diseases. Focus areas include anthropometrical assessments, as well as fitness assessments for the development and maintenance of cardio-respiratory fitness, muscular strength, power and endurance, flexibility, rehabilitation and weight control. Through this module, students will also develop an appreciation of assessing and analyzing traditional and popular exercise programs used presently in the sporting and fitness industry.

Project on Health Through Exercise

This student led project will enable students to apply their knowledge and skills to promote health through various aspects of exercise. Students on the ELP track will be involved in an On-the-Job training at the place of employment. A project designed for students to demonstrate their ability to assess and prescribe appropriate exercises will be developed with the employer and it is expected to be executed at the workplace.

Please click here to view the updated course schedule and fees on the Skills Training & Enhancement Portal (STEP).

WSP Eligibility

Singaporeans and Singapore Permanent Residents who are:

within three years of graduation from ITE or the Operational Ready Date (ORD) for full-time National Servicemen, or
within five years of graduation from ITE, and if their employer is a participating company.

Course Entry Requirement

Applicants should possess a relevant NITEC (min. GPA: 2.0) or Higher NITEC Certificates from the feeder programme as listed here.

Admission will be reviewed and approved by the polytechnic on a case-by-case basis.

Please click here to view the updated course schedule and fees on the Skills Training & Enhancement Portal (STEP).

Last updated on 28 Mar 2024

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