PDA Rehabilitation Technologies SCQF level 7

Professional Development Awards (PDAs) extend or broaden professional or vocational skills and are linked to National Occupational Standards. The PDA in Rehabilitation Technologies at SCQF 7 provides a national qualification for technical staff working within the fields of orthotics, prosthetics and orthopaedic footwear manufacture.

The overall aim of this award is twofold: to equip those who are currently working as support workers to enhance their practice through learning, and to further develop their skills by equipping them with the necessary tools to offer a consistent and reliable service to clients.

This qualification covers areas such as anatomy and physiology for prosthetics and orthotics together with biomechanics for prosthetics and orthotics. It also develops skills in the manufacture of orthotic and prosthetic devices and in the development of orthopaedic footwear.

This qualification is available through colleges, training providers and some employers. It has been designed to be delivered as a taught course and will normally be available as a combination of workshops and self-directed study.

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The PDA in Rehabilitation Technologies at SCQF level 7 has been developed in partnership with employers and industry so it is suitable for the sector.

It will help employers meet skills gaps and provide continuing professional development for staff, while learners will gain knowledge and skills needed for progression in the workplace.

It can also be offered to people who are in training and who wish to gain employment in the sector.

The unit-based structure aids timetable flexibility. Units are typically 40 hours of learning and they can be delivered on a full-time or part-time basis.

The target audience is those in work, or seeking employment, who require a specific skill set.

Access

Entry is at the discretion of the centre.

Learners do not need to have formal relevant qualifications to enter this PDA. Good communication skills, both oral and written, are required. It is preferred that candidates have current experience as a technician working in the field of orthotics, prosthetics or orthopaedic footwear manufacture.

It is recommended that employed candidates wishing to undertake the award are able to demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills and, as the course utilises e-learning approaches, candidates need to have basic IT skills and an ability to use the internet.

The units in the PDA have been mapped against the National Occupational Standards for SVQ 3 Healthcare Support (Clinical) at SCQF level 7.

Centres interested in offering this qualification require to come forward for approval and should contact SQA's Business Development Team for guidance.

Assessors and verifiers must be able to meet SQA's general requirements for technical/occupational competence as outlined in the Systems and Qualification Approval Guide.  The specific delivery requirements are set out in the group award specification (arrangements document).

Each individual unit specification gives detailed information on the evidence requirements and approaches to assessment for each unit.

Ongoing course assessment will apply.

Each unit is assessed separately.

Assessment will allow candidates to enhance their own practice. The use of reports and projects is crucial to this. 

Group award code: GL58 47 (56 SCQF credit points)

Structure

The PDA in Rehabilitation at SCQF level 7 consists of five mandatory Units and two optional units.

For details of the Units making up the SVQ, please refer to the Group award specification.