Outcome Statement Qualification details Title New Zealand Diploma in Hearing Therapy (Level 6) Version 1 Qualification type Diploma Level 6 Credits 120 NZSCED 090511 Society and Culture > Human Welfare Studies and Services > Community Client Care DAS classification 453 Community and Social Services > Health, Disability, and Aged Support Qualification developer Careerforce Next review December 2019 Approval date May 2015 Strategic purpose statement Graduate profile The purpose of this qualification is to provide the hearing sector with a specialised hearing therapy workforce focussed on the application of aural rehabilitation practice, including technical knowledge and skills, in clinical and community settings. This qualification is targeted at people seeking to further develop their knowledge, skills and abilities in the field of Hearing Therapy. It may also be suitable for graduates of higher level qualifications in Human Services oriented fields who wish to specialise in Hearing Therapy. Graduates of this qualification will work independently, leading and coordinating an individualised quality service for people who have hearing impairment to enable them to manage the impact of that impairment in their lives to the best of their abilities. Graduates who have gained the New Zealand Diploma in Hearing Therapy (level 6), and completed the relevant postgraduation and on-going practical requirements, will be eligible to apply for full membership of the Hearing Therapists Association of New Zealand. Graduates will be able to: 1. Measure functional capability and assess the physical and psychosocial impact of hearing impairment on a person s life using culturally appropriate values, processes and protocols. 2. Analyse assessment results in terms of the impact on the life of a person, to lead and coordinate the design, implementation and evaluation of an individual aural rehabilitation plan. 3. Provide a specialist service that enables people with hearing impairment to manage the impact of that impairment. 4. Be fully accountable for own learning and professional practice in complex and dynamic contexts/systems to provide a constantly improving, customised outcome-focused service. Qualification Reference 2859 Page 1 of 5
Education pathway Employment pathway The qualification provides pathway for people: to further develop their knowledge, skills and abilities in the field of hearing therapy; and to progress within the health and disability qualifications framework; already holding other qualifications in a Human Service related field, seeking to specialise in Hearing Therapy. Graduates may continue on an educational pathway that may progress to a specialised clinical qualification (such as Masters in Audiology, or Master of Speech and Language Pathology - via a relevant undergraduate degree) or further specialisation in sensory rehabilitation, such as working with people who are deafblind. Graduates of this qualification may obtain employment as: Hearing Therapist in public or private settings Rehabilitationist in Cochlear Implant programmes Hearing Assessor in the area of occupational health Service Coordinator for the Deaf This qualification may also be suitable for people working in the following occupations: Advisors for Deaf Children Audiometrists Auditory-verbal therapists Speech Language therapists Counsellors Diversional Therapists Ear nurse specialists Employment support Hearing Therapists Industrial Hearing Tester Needs Assessment and Service Coordinators Nurses Social Workers Teachers Vision Hearing Screeners Newborn Hearing Screeners Qualification specifications Qualification award This qualification will be awarded by Careerforce as the qualification developer and the industry training organisation arranging training leading to the qualification under section 5 of the Industry Training Act 1992. This qualification may also be awarded by a tertiary education organisation (TEO) accredited under section 250 of the Education Act 1989 to deliver an approved programme leading to this qualification. The certificate will display the title of the qualification, the logo of NZQA and the name and/or logo of the awarding organisation. Qualification Reference 2859 Page 2 of 5
Evidence requirements for assuring consistency All tertiary education organisations (TEOs) either arranging training or delivering programmes that lead to the award of this qualification are required to participate, along with the qualification developer, in a scheduled consistency process led by NZQA, in accordance with published national guidelines. This consistency process will involve reviewing evidence associated with graduates achievement of outcomes, establishing a periodic cycle for a review focus for the external consistency review, agreeing acceptable standards and/or benchmarks for qualification outcome achievement, and identifying areas for improvement. Evidence for programme providers may include: Assessment information leading to the achievement of the graduate outcomes. A portfolio of student work relating to the qualification. Stakeholder feedback on outcome achievement which may include feedback from graduates, end-users, and/or next users. TEO moderation outcomes which may include moderation/benchmarking across common programmes. Relevant External Evaluation and Review (EER) data. The criteria of Consent and Moderation Requirements (CMR) document 0024 for unit standard-based programmes. Minimum standard of achievement and standards for grade endorsements Entry requirements (including prerequisites to meet regulatory body or legislative requirements) Achievement of all outcomes is required. There are no grade endorsements for this qualification. It is anticipated that people undertaking this qualification will have best chances of success if they hold a relevant tertiary qualification or have core skills and knowledge that apply to the health and disability workforce. General conditions for the programme leading to the qualification General conditions for programme There is an expectation that industry training programmes leading to this qualification will be completed in a workplace. For programmes of study that are offered by an education provider, a formal arrangement must be in place whereby a learner is able to demonstrate achievement of the outcomes in an appropriate practical environment. Learners undertaking a programme leading to this qualification must have access to a minimum 15 hours per week of practical work with adults with hearing impairment, under the supervision of a qualified hearing professional. The achievement of practical outcomes must demonstrate the integration of theory and practice. Organisations seeking approval to award the qualification are expected to have recognition of current competency or recognition of prior learning assessment processes in place. Qualification Reference 2859 Page 3 of 5
Conditions relating to the Graduate profile Qualification outcomes 1 Measure functional capability and assess the physical and psychosocial impact of hearing impairment on a person s life using culturally appropriate values, processes and protocols. 15 Credits Conditions This outcome includes working with the person s significant communication partners within family/whānau, vocational, recreational and social contexts using an inter-disciplinary, holistic approach. include the identification of appropriate resources that are appropriate for the client e.g. language interpreter, and a referral pathway that accommodates socio-cultural differences and preferences. The aspects of life affected by hearing impairment may include but are not limited to: function, activity, participation and wellbeing, with a focus on life opportunities and perceived quality of life. 2 Analyse assessment results in terms of the impact on the life of a person, to lead and coordinate the design, implementation and evaluation of an individual aural rehabilitation plan. 15 Credits 3 Provide a specialist service that enables people with hearing impairment to manage the impact of that impairment. 70 Credits The development and content of the individual aural rehabilitation plan is client-centred and client-led, and must: include the involvement of significant communication partners demonstrate understanding and application of currently-accepted aural rehabilitation principles. The impact of the hearing impairment is to be managed by reducing limitations and enhancing the person s participation in their chosen activities through maximising their communication abilities, with or without assistive technology. include: Anatomy and physiology of the ear and the hearing process Otoscopy and pure tone screening audiometry Aural rehabilitation theory and its application, including assessment procedures, analysis of the physical and psychosocial impact and strategies and adaptations to manage impact Function, application and care of hearing instruments and other hearing assistive technology. Training of people with a hearing impairment and their significant communication partners in speech reading, auditory training, communication and adaptive strategies Speech production and speech perception. Personal adjustment and informational counselling Strategies for management of the psychosocial impact of tinnitus, Meniere s Disease and hyperacusis. Education in the prevention of noise-induced hearing loss and current legislation in relation to noise exposure. Qualification Reference 2859 Page 4 of 5
Qualification outcomes 4 Be fully accountable for own learning and professional practice in complex and dynamic contexts/systems to provide a constantly improving, customised outcomes-focused service. 20 Credits Conditions include but are not limited to: The principles and application of professional practice Demonstration of knowledge and management of risks and daily living challenges for people with hearing impairment Demonstration of knowledge and management of the hearing needs of the older person Demonstration of knowledge of relevant legislation and policies and related health and social service systems Demonstration of knowledge of ethical issues and practice - Application of cultural responsiveness in the aural rehabilitation context Transition information Replacement information This qualification replaced the National Diploma in Hearing Therapy [Ref: 1007] Learners currently enrolled in programmes leading to the replaced qualification Ref: 1007, may either complete the requirements by 31 December 2019, or undertake credit recognition process to transfer their results to this replacement qualification. The last date for entry into programmes leading to the replaced qualification will be 31 December 2017. Existing learners should not be disadvantaged by these transition arrangements. Any person who considers they have been disadvantaged by these transition arrangements may appeal to the owner of the programme leading to award of the qualification. Community Support Services Industry Training Organisation Limited (Careerforce) PO Box 2637 Wellington 6140 Telephone 04 915 7704 or 0800 277 486 Facsimile 03 371 9285 Email info@careerforce.org.nz Website www.careerforce.org.nz Republication information Version 1 of this qualification was republished in March 2017 to extend the last date for entry into programmes leading to the replaced qualification from 31 December 2016 to 31 December 2017. Qualification Reference 2859 Page 5 of 5