Monash University Handbook 2010 Postgraduate - Course

This course is designed to provide the knowledge and skills to enable health professionals to effectively manage acute and chronic wounds. The course builds on the Graduate Certificate in Wound Care, and students have the opportunity to undertake elective units relevant to their area of practice.

At the completion of the Graduate Diploma in Wound Care students will be able to:

• demonstrate high level problem solving skill for clients with complex wounds
• utilise a systematic approach to perform an advanced assessment of a clients with a wound
• develop an appropriate plan of wound care in collaboration with the client and the multidisciplinary team
• demonstrate clinical competency in practical wound care techniques
• evaluate the outcomes of care for clients with complex wounds.

Applicants may apply for credit for prior studies undertaken in the previous five years. The maximum credit that can be awarded is 50 per cent of the requirements for the award. All applications for credit will be considered on an individual basis by the faculty.

24 credit points

No more than 25 per cent of the requirements for the award will normally be granted for credit based on recognition of prior learning. All applications for credit will be considered on an individual basis by the faculty.

Assessment

Assessment is by assignments and online activities, and attendance at the on-campus week.

Students are required to attend a five-day on-campus/residential course at the Parkville campus for VCW1127 (Practical wound care training and assessment). They will undertake supervised clinic observation and seminar workshops (theoretical and practical) in various aspects of wound related topics during this period.

Students are required to complete 48 credit points that consist of:

• eight core units (36 credit points)
• a range of elective units (six credit points)
• a compulsory on-campus study block (six credit points).

Students are normally granted full credit for units completed in the Graduate Certificate in Wound Care and are required to complete an additional four core units and six credit points of elective units to qualify for the Graduate Diploma in Wound Care.

Core units

• VCG5011 Evidence based practice
• VCW1101 Biology of wound healing
• VCW1102 Wound assessment
• VCW1103 Wound dressings
• VCW1104 Management of acute wounds
• VCW1105 Management of chronic wounds
• VCW1106 Systemic medication and wound healing
• VCW1108 Nutrition and wound healing
• VCW1127 Practical wound care training and assessment

Elective units

• VCW1109 Dermatology
• VCW1111 Alternative therapies
• VCW1112 Scar management
• VCW1113 Non-healing ulcers and pain management
• VCW1116 Diabetic foot
• VCW1123 Management of burns
• VCW1126 Clinical risk management and wound care
• VCW1130 Pressure ulcer prediction, prevention and management

Minimum grade for articulation

A minimum of a credit average in all graduate diploma units and a minimum grade of 70 per cent in VCW1127 is required for articulation to the Master of Wound Care.

Students who achieve a minimum of a credit grade in all graduate diploma units and receive a minimum grade of 70 per cent in VCW1127 may progress to the Master of Wound Care after completing the requirements for the graduate diploma.

Students may exit with a Graduate Certificate in Wound Care if they have met the requirements for that course.

Graduate Diploma in Wound Care