GC-DIABET v.1 Graduate Certificate in Diabetes

Graduate Certificates prepare students to develop advanced knowledge and skills for professional or highly skilled work and further learning corresponding to AQF level 8 qualifications.

The Graduate Certificate in Diabetes provides a comprehensive program of diabetes study involving a diverse range of inter-professional learning through interaction with peers, contemporary blended learning, and fieldwork with clinical skill development. The course emphasises the close application of evidence based theory to clinical practice, which includes physical, biological, psychological and psychosocial issues in diabetes education and care. The program includes 80 hours of professional practice experience under the supervision of a Credentialled Diabetes Educator. Graduates are prepared to provide safe, effective and high quality evidence informed diabetes education and care, to benefit the health of people living with diabetes, and to advance the profession locally, nationally and globally.

Course Accreditation

This course is accredited by the Australian Diabetes Educators Association (ADEA) for 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2022.

Professional Recognition

Eligible health professionals (Registered Nurse (RN or Division One), Registered Midwife, Accredited Practising Dietitian, Registered Medical Practitioner, Registered Pharmacist, Registered Podiatrist, Accredited Exercise Physiologist or a Registered Physiotherapist graduating from this course will be able to use this award towards an application for credentialling with Australian Diabetes Education Association (ADEA). Refer to ADEA website http://www.adea.com.au for further details.

Career Opportunities

Generally graduates from this course may gain employment in the field of diabetes education and care. Graduates eligible for ADEA credentialling may be better placed to achieve designated diabetes education positions in the workforce. Diabetes educators work in a variety of acute and primary health settings including preventative health in metropolitan, regional, rural and remote areas. Credentialled diabetes educators may also work in private practice. Graduates are eligible to practice in any Australian State or Territory.

Additional Course Expenses

Students may be expected to purchase a number of textbooks and other essential study materials. Other course related expenses are associated with clinical practice. These include the costs incurred for Criminal Record Screening and Clearance, Working with Children Clearance and Immunisation requirements. In a small number of facilities, students who undertake a placement may be required to meet the costs associated with their clinical placement as charged by the clinical facility. Alternately, students may be eligible to attend another placement. Any costs of travel and accommodation for clinical placement will be met by the student.

Graduate Certificates contain a series of units which may include compulsory (core), optional or elective units to cater for student preferences.

This course can be studied in the external (online) study mode only. Students are expected to commit ten (10) hours each week to online study for each unit. Students studying part time must complete Understanding Diabetes and Living with Diabetes as well as have completed or be enrolled in Chronic Conditions Self-Management before undertaking Diabetes Professional Practice. As part of Diabetes Professional Practice, students are required to undertake an 80 hour clinical practicum in one or more clinical settings. Students receive support and feedback from a Credentialed Diabetes Educator whilst on clinical placement.

Course Learning Outcomes

A graduate of this course can:

1. demonstrate knowledge of relevant local, national and international policies and practice standards in order to synthesise knowledge of interrelationships between local, national and global issues, and apply an intersectional analysis to diabetes practice

2. apply problem solving, critical thinking and decision making skills to respond to clinical and professional challenges in diabetes care

3. Research, evaluate and synthesise information within and beyond the discipline, which generates sustainable solutions appropriate to diverse contexts.

4. Apply appropriate communication and interpersonal skills using a variety of media relevant to the audience and guided by the ethical principles of the health professions that are underpinned by pursuing social justice and upholding human rights.

5. use technologies to inform on going evidence based practice to support person and family centred care

6. establish and sustain intellectual curiosity by using a range of learning strategies; including research informed practice; professional development and supervision resulting in lifelong learning skills

7. recognise and respond to regional, national and global diabetes trends and innovations; incorporate strategic health care directions related to diabetes education and management

8. demonstrate cultural capability in the provision of diabetes related care to multi cultural groups and the Indigenous people in both global and local settings

9. engage in interdisciplinary healthcare provision demonstrating skills, behaviours and capability based on the physical, psychological, social, political, ethical, legal and cultural perspectives to optimise diabetes self-management

Duration and Availability

This course is full-time or equivalent part-time study. There is a semester two intake for this course only in 2020, and a semester one and semester two intake in 2021. This fully online course is offered by Bentley campus.

Location and delivery Mode

The information displayed above refers to study periods and locations where the course is available for first time entry. Students are normally only offered or admitted to a course once.

* The course itself may not be available either solely internally or externally but individual units may be offered in either or both of those modes. Prospective students should contact the Course Coordinator for further information.

^ Course and associated units are offered in this mode permitting International Onshore student enrolment.

# Course and associated units are offered in this online only mode and DO NOT permit International Onshore student enrolment.

YEAR 1 SEMESTER 1

YEAR 1 SEMESTER 2

* This course is not available to International Onshore Students on Student Visas. This course is only available to Domestic Fee Paying students on a Part-Time basis.

Applicants for a Graduate Certificate are required to meet University academic and English language entry standards; details are provided at http://study.curtin.edu.au/. Applicants generally require a Bachelor Degree or equivalent credit gained for recognised learning. Any specific course entry and completion requirements must also be met.

Specifically, prospective students must have a health-related degree with a Course Weighted Average of 65% or above and an academic status of Good Standing OR be a health professional with current professional registration / accreditation with AHPRA or other Registration authority eg Accredited Practicing Dietitian with a relevant postgraduate qualification. An Aboriginal health worker/Aboriginal health practitioner may apply for portfolio entry into the course.

Credit for Recognised Learning

Applications for credit towards a course are assessed on an individual basis. Credit reduces the amount of learning required to complete the course and may be granted for formal education qualifications, non-formal learning from non-award programs of study and informal learning through work experiences. Further information can be found at http://futurestudents.curtin.edu.au/non-school-leavers/rpl.cfm

Award Pathways (Specific)

Graduates may qualify for entry to some Graduate Diplomas and Master degrees. For further details, see the University website http://curtin.edu.au.

Specific Course Completion Details

Students completing Diabetes Professional Practice are required to comply with criminal record screening and clearance, working with children clearance and immunisation protocols. More detailed information related to the required certificates and health and legal checks can be located on the Health Sciences' website. On application prospective students are required to nominate preferred clinical placement options and assistance from the Course Coordinator is available if required.