Download the flyer as a PDF: PatchSA 8-month Certificate Course

PatchSA is offering an 8-month long interactive learning certificate course on children’s palliative care to run from 1 April – 30 November 2023.

Who is the course aimed at?

The course is open to all members of the multi-disciplinary team caring for children with life-threatening and life-limiting conditions. This could include doctors, nurses, medical officers, social workers, occupational therapists, speech and language therapists, physiotherapists, psychologists, counsellors, paramedics, pharmacists, etc.

What prior learning is required?

No prior degree or diploma is required but the courses do require some academic ability and proficiency in English.

How long will the course take?

The course will take 8 months to complete and will run from 1 April – 30 November 2023. We estimate that you will spend approx. 80 hours over the duration of the 8-months on required course activities.

What course materials will be required?

All participants will be sent a copy of the book ‘Palliative Care for Children – A guide for improving the quality of life of patients and their families.‘

The remaining course materials are the Patch Academy online courses to which the participants will have unlimited access for the duration of the course.

Who will be coordinating the course?

The course will be coordinated by PatchSA’s Education & Training Manager, Tracy Rawlins, with support and contributions from members of the Patch Academy Training Team.

What will I receive at the end of the course?

You will earn a certificate of completion at the end of the course. It is not an accredited course with any institute of learning. However, all the online courses are accredited for CEUs with the Colleges of Medicine of South Africa (CMSA) and you will earn at total of 59 CPD points. (Level 1 : 24 General & 35 Ethics)

What are the course requirements?

In order to complete this course, it is essential that you have:

• A strong desire to learn about children’s palliative care
• Time and commitment to the completion of the course over the 8-month period
• Regular and reliable access to the internet and sufficient data to complete online courses and attend webinars
• A willingness to interact with fellow participants and engage in online forums

How much does the course cost?

The course costs R4500, and includes:

• Access to 11 online Patch Academy courses
• A copy of the book Palliative Care for Children 
• Attendance at 4 webinars where members of the Patch Academy Training Team will share their knowledge and expertise

How will the placement work?

We will assist in securing you an optional 2-day practical placement at one of the few services in the country providing children’s palliative care. However, all travel and accommodation costs will be for your account.

Discount: A 10% discount on the full price of the course (valued at R450) is offered to any paying member of PatchSA. You can click here to join PatchSA as a member today and immediately claim your discount.

Should any charity or NGO be interested in registering several members of staff, we will offer a 15 – 25% discount on the fee, depending on the number of staff taking the course.  Please contact us at info@patchsa.org for more information.

Please note: No refunds will be paid.  Should you be unable to complete the course, learning time may be extended or access to the online courses and webinars can be transferred to another person with the agreement of the PatchSA management team.