Introduction

It is becoming increasingly difficult to differentiate your private practice and ensure that your business grows. Healthcare professionals are faced with numerous business challenges emerging from such trends as medical super-inflation, consumerism, globalisation and reform of the funding industry. Globally and locally, it is acknowledged that business skills are essential to run and grow a private practice.

Your practice manager can bring these skills into your practice through this course.

The Higher Certificate in Practice Management has been customised to focus on the business environment, current priorities and practice needs of all healthcare practitioners, in private practice. It introduces the healthcare professional or practice manager to business principles in a private practice environment, contextualised to the ethical framework applicable to the South African healthcare environment. The programme is designed to develop the functional and operational management skills required to successfully manage a small to medium size healthcare business aligned with effective and efficient patient care.

Who Should Enrol

Practice managers and all health professionals in private practice or who plan to go into private practice.

Accreditation

SAQA ID number:  96726

NQF Level: 5

Total credits:  120

Accredited by the Council on Higher Education; Registered by the Department of Higher Education and Training.

Entry Requirements

The admission requirement is a Grade 12 National Senior Certificate OR an NQF Level 4 qualification.

Intake date

Intake 1 Intake 2 Intake 3
Applications close: 15 December 2023 Applications close: 15 March 2024 Applications close: 15 June 2024
Start date: 1 March 2024 Start date: 15 May 2024 Start date: 15 August 2024

Course Design

The HCert (Practice Management) is structured in such a way that it gives learners exposure to a broad set of core competencies.

The programme consists of the following learning components: 

  • Distance e-learning (self-study) modules,
  • Seven (7) Assisted virtual tutorial sessions (if applicable), and
  • Various assessment tasks. 

Course Duration

Participants are required to complete this programme within a year. 

Course Content

This programme will cover the following modules:

  1. Understanding the International and South African Healthcare Environment
  2. Human Resources Management
  3. Financial Management
  4. Health Law and Ethics
  5. Managed Care
  6. Strategic and Operational Management 
  7. Strategic Marketing and Customer Relations

Learning Outcomes

On achieving this qualification, a learner will be able to:

  • Discuss the South African Healthcare Environment and how your practice will integrate its services in view of managed care and the NHI.
  • Develop a practical business plan for implementation in the practice.
  • Utilise systems effectively and appropriately in achieving the objectives of the practice.
  • Apply an effective marketing strategy within the parameters of the current legislation for healthcare practitioners.
  • Apply sound financial management practices and techniques for optimal outcomes.
  • Integrate and apply ethical principles in managing the practice and all activities.

Assessment

The programme includes the following assessment opportunities:

  • Seven (7) formative assessment test - online multiple-choice questions (MCQs) assessments.
  • Seven (7) summative modular assessments (individual assignments) in the form of work-related assignments.
  • One (1) integrative summative exam assessment – based on seven (7) modules.

Certification

Students will receive a Higher Certificate in Practice Management upon successful completion of all assessments.

Enrolment process

For more information on the application process, click here.




COURSE
R 26,299.00 (incl VAT)

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Targeted at Practice managers and all health professionals in private practice or those who plan to go into private practice.