Graduate Diploma in Wound Care

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 2982 Graduate Certificate in Wound Care, and students have the opportunity to undertake elective units relevant to their area of practice.

These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework level 8, the Bologna Cycle 1 and Monash Graduate AttributesAustralian Qualifications Framework level 8, the Bologna Cycle 1 and Monash Graduate Attributes (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/alignmentofoutcomes.html).

Upon successful completion of this course it is expected that graduates 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 client with a wound
• develop and communicate an appropriate plan of wound care in collaboration with the client and the multidisciplinary team
• demonstrate clinical competency in practical wound care techniques
• evaluate and communicate the outcomes of care for clients with complex wounds.

24 credit points

The core unit PGW5127 (Practical wound care training and assessment) requires students to attend a five-day on-campus/residential course at the Parkville campus. They will undertake supervised clinic observation and seminar workshops (theoretical and practical) in various aspects of wound-related topics during this time.

This course consists of nine core units (36 points) and elective units (12 points).

Core units

Students must complete:

• PGC5001 Evidence based practice
• PGW5101 Biology of wound healing
• PGW5102 Wound assessment
• PGW5103 Wound dressings
• PGW5104 Management of acute wounds
• PGW5105 Management of chronic wounds
• PGW5106 Systemic medication and wound healing
• PGW5108 Nutrition and wound healing
• PGW5127 Practical wound care training and assessment

Elective units

Students must complete 12 points from the following:

• PGP5014 Clinical educator preparation
• PGW5109 Dermatology
• PGW5111 Alternative therapies
• PGW5112 Scar management
• PGW5113 Non-healing ulcers and pain management
• PGW5116 Diabetic foot
• PGW5123 Management of burns
• PGW5126 Clinical risk management and wound care
• PGW5130 Pressure injury prediction, prevention and management

Minimum grade for course completion

In order to successfully complete this course, students must achieve a minimum pass grade of credit (60) in each of the following units:

• PGW5101 Biology of wound healing
• PGW5102 Wound assessment
• PGW5103 Wound dressings
• PGW5104 Management of acute wounds
• PGW5105 Management of chronic wounds
• elective unit(s) equivalent to 6 credit points

Minimum grade for articulation

In order to progress to 2985 Master of Wound Care, students must achieve a minimum pass grade as follows:

(a.) credit (60) in:

• PGW5101 Biology of wound healing
• PGW5102 Wound assessment
• PGW5103 Wound dressings
• PGW5104 Management of acute wounds
• PGW5105 Management of chronic wounds
• PGW5106 Systemic medication and wound healing and
• PGW5108 Nutrition and wound healing
• elective unit(s) equivalent to 12 credit points

(b.) credit (65) in PGC5001 Evidence based practice

(c.) distinction (70) in PGW5127 Practical wound care training and assessment.

Students wishing to exit this course early or who do not achieve the minimum pass grade for course completion exit with the following, provided they have satisfied the requirements for this award:

• 2982 Graduate Certificate in Wound Care after successful completion of 24 points of study.