SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION THAT HAS PASSED THE END DATE: 

Postgraduate Diploma in Hand Therapy 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
12153  Postgraduate Diploma in Hand Therapy 
ORIGINATOR
University of Pretoria 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Postgraduate Diploma  Field 09 - Health Sciences and Social Services  Preventive Health 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  120  Level 7  NQF Level 08  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Passed the End Date -
Status was "Reregistered" 		 SAQA 1141/23  2021-07-01  2024-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2025-06-30   2028-06-30  

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

This qualification does not replace any other qualification and is not replaced by any other qualification. 

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
This learning qualification enables qualified occupational therapists and physiotherapistsis to broaden their knowledge of therapy and to expand on their application of prior knowledge in this specific field of clinical practice.

This qualification will provide therapists for a field of practice that has been growing rapidly, internationally and nationally.

The qualification aims to provide South Africa with expertise in the field of hand therapy to offer and promote rehabilitation services for people with hand conditions and injuries. It contributes to the continued development of knowledge and expertise comparable with international standards in the field. 

LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
Entry Requirements:
  • Bachelor of Occupational Therapy, NQF Level 7. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Obtain advanced knowledge of different assessment and treatment approaches and techniques in the remediation and rehabilitation of hand injuries and conditions.
    2. Maintain and expand practical competencies in clinical application of therapy to clients with hand injuries and conditions in acute and post-acute phases.
    3. Show a continued interest in new developments in the specialist field as a life long learner.
    4. Communicate in various forms with a wide range of clients, referral sources and co-workers.
    5. Identify and use appropriate and therapeutic technology in the assessment and management of rehabilitation services, taking into account cultural and environmental factors in the design and manufacture of hand orthoses, assistive devices and the choice of treatment modalities.
    6. Adhere to the professional code of conduct, ethical rules of the Professional Board.
    7. Maintain and develop competencies in hand therapy as a life long learner. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Learners to demonstrate:
  • Foundational competencies through integrating knowledge of ergonomics, patho mechanics into the treatment as evidenced in discussions of selected topics as well as written and practical examinations.
  • Practical competencies through the design and manufacture of hand orthoses of complex design and application of treatment modalities as evidenced in the presentation of case studies and practical examinations.
  • Reflexive competencies through group discussions and case study presentations as well as written and practical examinations.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Formative Assessment.
  • Portfolios (case studies).
  • Work-place assessments (clinical work).
  • Written examinations.
  • Oral examinations.

    Summative Assessment:
  • Practical examinations, presentations e.g. case studies seminars. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification compares with the following international qualifications in terms of the range of competencies in the learning content offered. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Postgraduate Diploma in Occupational Therapy, NQF Level 8.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Master of Occupational Therapy, NQF Level 9. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    REREGISTRATION HISTORY 
    As per the SAQA Board decision/s at that time, this qualification was Reregistered in 2006; 2009; 2012; 2015. 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. University of Pretoria 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.