Education for Health Africa is a training company offering Occupational Health Short Courses since 2018. Our staff team mostly worked at the OCSA Academy of Excellence from 2007 – 2018. When the Academy was sold in 2018 and all staff retrenched, we decided not to waste our high levels of expertise and experience and to continue to do what we love – train, mentor and support all in our industry. Hence, Education for Health Africa was born with a name encompassing our vision to upskill not just South Africans but those in other countries too across our beloved African Continent.
The Education for Health Africa administrative hub is in Vereeniging, Gauteng where we have an in-person office and the day to day running of the business takes place under our highly respected and capable Petro Green who is well known and loved in the industry. Lindsay Zurba owns the business and resides in Durban, running things very successfully remotely. Our entire 21-person contract and full time staff team are scattered around South Africa. This business model is completely comfortable for us all and shows how modern trends for business can work.
We offer a range of Occupational Short Courses including:
- Occupational Spirometry Short Course
- Occupational Audiometry Short Course
- Occupational Vision Screening Short Course
- Introduction to Occupational Health
- Baseline Health Risk Assessment
- History Taking and Physical Examination
- Absenteeism
- Respiratory Fit Testing
- Reproductive Health Refresher
Plus bespoke training on request.
You can find out more about each course:
- by viewing our courses here
- or call us on +27 16 454 8325,
- WhatsApp or call us on +27 83 475 1457
- or email us at us at support@educationforhealth.africa for more information
Honestly, I think because we have the most experienced, high level academic team in the continent in our sector working for us. In our own individual rights, we represent various committees and organisations that set academic standards and lead in our field. Additionally, we all hold the same philanthropic perspective being to assist people on their own personal and professional journeys as much as possible, to give more than we take and we take a huge amount of pride in setting and holding to the highest standards. We have brains, integrity and some of us have good looks too :) (just kidding)
Our courses have clear objectives – to ensure that the learners are able to perform useful skills and that they understand why and how they should be performed in the way that we teach them. Importantly, each course incorporates assessments to ensure that the candidates have actually acquired the specific skills that the course’s objectives stated. This means that employers can be confident that the candidates have acquired a new skill that will be valuable in their workplace and individual candidates who book themselves onto a course know that they will learn something useful from attending.
Many of the South Africa / Africa’s blue-chip Occupational Health companies call on us. Education for Health Africa have been providing Occupational Health skills training courses all over the African Continent. Because of our assessment processes, our courses have a radical, new approach to training that many other training companies and colleges just do not have the resources to provide – either in terms of really good people to teach the courses, up-to-the-minute and relevant equipment used in practical exercises, or the experience and skill needed to determine when candidates are achieving the promised objectives of a course successfully. Have a look at our “Friends” page to see who we have worked with and you can see reviews all over our website too.
We provide highly researched, carefully developed occupational and primary health related short courses specific for learners on the African Continent. We are the leading company for delivery of these courses in Africa and beyond.
Difference courses have different entry requirements. For most of our courses anyone with a Grade 12 certificate can take any one of the Education for Health Africa short courses. So, for clarity, persons who are not medically trained but do have a Grade 12 certificate can take the Spirometry, Audiometry, Vision Screening, Introduction to Occupational Health, Baseline Health Risk Assessment and Absenteeism training courses.
Only Doctors and Nurses can take the History Taking and Physical Examination, Respiratory Fit Testing and Reproductive Health Refresher Training.
Typically, but not exclusively, most of our learners work in, or are aiming to work in, Occupational Health, Primary Health, Research, School Health sectors or not for profit organisations.
All our courses follow the same overarching principles and structures. We teach people how to prepare for, conduct, evaluate, interpret, report and manage in the subject they are learning about. We do this by giving pre-learning materials so that the learner can first read around the subject, then attend live facilitator led online theory sessions followed by hands on in person practical days. The learners then need to prove that they can do what they have been taught by getting some practical experience in their own workplaces and submitting some workplace portfolios of evidence i.e. conducting a certain number of tests themselves on real life subjects and reporting on these then submitting them back to the facilitator to ensure they know what they are doing in real life. We assess competence by ensuring the learner did some reading on their own – submitting some questions on their pre-learning – then attending all theory sessions and answering open book questions at the end of each chapter. Lastly the learner then takes a theory assessment, submits their portfolios of evidence and when these have been completed we allow them to book a practical assessment. When all components have been passed the learner is then awarded a Certificate of Competence in their subject.
The training facilitation will take place in English, but our spirometry, audiometry and vision screening courses are translated into French and Portuguese as well. So, all learning materials are available in English, French and Portuguese.
Yes we are. You can follow us here:
Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/EFHAfrica
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/educationforhealth.africa/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/educationforhealth-africa/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/EFHAfrica
There is frequently a misunderstanding regarding whether holding a qualification in Occupational Health inherently equates to proficiency in specialized areas like Audiometry, Spirometry, and Vision Screening Testing. While Occupational Health qualifications offer a strong groundwork in workplace health and safety, specific tasks like Audiometry, Spirometry, and Vision Testing require a more advanced level of expertise. Consequently, these subjects necessitate supplementary training, certification, and technical know-how. The amalgamation of Occupational Health knowledge and specialized proficiencies ensures a comprehensive approach to promoting employee well-being and maintaining workplace safety. Organizations that prioritize both facets are better positioned to establish a secure and health-conscious environment for their workforce.
Because healthcare assistants feel “left hanging” when they do not get to finish the course content i.e. hear about the final step of interpreting a result. Those that want to can hear about interpretation and how to manage the result. Those that don’t, don’t have to. Everyone wins.
Yes, they may for spirometry and vision. Being a healthcare assistant rather than healthcare professional does not preclude you from taking the more advanced assessments of interpretation and data management in these two courses. However for Audiometry the legislation is clear that to qualify as an Audiometrist you need to first have a Tertiary level qualification in Anatomy and Physiology.
Those that take the assessment for conducting a test will be known as a Spirometry or Audiometry or Vision Assistant.
Those that have attained Certificates of Competence in conducting all 3 courses will be known as Occupational Health Technicians.
Those that have tertiary level anatomy and physiology for example doctors, nurses and paramedics etc (i.e those that are already medically trained healthcare professional) and who gave attained Certificates of Competence in Conducting and Interpreting Spirometry or Audiometry or Vision Screening will keep their medical designation such as Dr or Sr etc and will also be known as a Spirometrist, Audiometrist and Vision Screener.
There have been a lot of advances in spirometry in recent years, resulting in updated guidance’s requiring a far higher level of understanding and skill. This has resulted in making the training more difficult and therefore more time is needed. Additionally, the courses are now accredited by the Quality Council for Trades and Occupations (QTCO) who mandates the training hours required to cover the subject content. EDUCATION FOR HEALTH AFRICA is proud not only to have written the QTCO curriculums but also to deliver our training courses against the QTCO standards.
Refresher training is recommended every 3 years.
Yes, this is still possible but only for groups of 10 or more at any one time and the costs will be higher as we then have higher overhead costs including venue hire, facilitator transport, learner refreshments and physical printing of training manuals. Costs will be quoted per project once we have done our own costings on the specifics for each group.
We have a standardised approach to the assessment of competence throughout our courses. There are three components to the assessment of learner’s competency which include both continuous assessments as well as supervised assessments as follows:
1. Theory Assessment
a. Pre-learning
This (continuous assessment) assignment will ensure that the learner has covered the pre-learning content including a general overview and introduction to the subject as well as background anatomy and physiology.
This is an open book test and must be completed before the final theory assessment takes place.
b. End of Chapter Questions
This (continuous assessment) assignment will ensure that the learner has covered all the necessary reading of each chapter in the training manual. These are open book tests and must be completed before the final theory assessment takes place.
c. Theory exam
This (supervised assessment) test will be conducted online consisting of multiple-choice theory assessment covering all training content. This will take place 1 week after classroom training sessions have been completed
2. Portfolio of Evidence
During the course of the classroom training the learner must conduct and report on at least one test. Thereafter a portfolio of evidence must be completed by the learner in their own workplace on real life subjects and with their own equipment.
3. Practical assessment
Once the learner has become successful in the theory assessment and the portfolio of evidence has been fully accepted the learner then books a practical assessment which takes place online consisting of 3 sections; preparing, conducting and evaluating the result.
You can apply for a 2-week extension in writing via email to support@educationforhealth.africa
If you would like to provide Occupational Health Services which include occupational audiometry, spirometry and / or vision screening tests this private practice / business must be managed by an Occupational Health Practitioner (OHP) which is either a qualified Occupational Health Medical Practitioner (OHMP) or an Occupational Health Nurse Practitioner (OHNP). All graduates of spirometry, audiometry and vision screening training who do not fall in these two categories (including General Practitioners or General Nurses without an additional Occupational Health Qualification) do not qualify to run this type of business and are required to work with/under supervision of an OHP especially if the service is aimed at health for clients in the workplace.
You would be able to contract your services to an OHMP or OHNP who run an Occupational Health services business but not to a client directly as the OHMP / OHNP needs to take responsibility for interpreting and managing the test results.
Every course has a very carefully constructed outline with associated timeframes for each activity. Typically, all training requirements are scheduled to be completed within 30 days of the end of the facilitation or registration on the eLearning platform, but you have six months to fully complete all aspects and assessments of each course. You can look at the courses calendars and register for each course to give you enough time in between to complete each subject comfortably and fully.
You may take the courses in any order you prefer. Typically, Vision Screening is thought to be the least challenging of the 3 courses followed by Audiometry with Spirometry being the most difficult of the three.
The Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) Audiometry Register issues the legal practice certificate for occupational screening Audiometrists that is valid for only two years. This means that every two years the Audiometrist needs to re-register but this re-registration does not require refresher training – it is purely an administrative function.
The training institutions can opt to add an expire date on their certificates of competency that aligns to the duration of the DEL Register as administered by SASOHN but this is not essential.
However, in the past we have suggested refresher training every 3 years for all courses. We remain with this time frame.
The requirement for spirometry, audiometry, and vision training certificates of competence before undertaking clinical skills training is based on several important factors, mainly that spirometry, audiometry, and vision testing are specialized procedures that require technical proficiency and understanding. Requiring certificates of competence in these 3 key areas ensures that applicants have undergone specific training and demonstrated their ability to perform these assessments effectively. It establishes a baseline level of skill and knowledge, indicating that they are prepared to handle the respective tasks during clinical skills training.
We want occupational health assistants to prove a certain level of competence in spirometry, audiometry, and vision training in the occupational health setting before participating in clinical skills training to be sure that the basics of patient safety, skill proficiency, regulatory compliance, accurate data collection, and professional development is already proven at a certain level. It ensures that applicants possess the necessary qualifications and competencies to provide high-quality care during workplace clinical practice assistance and should then be trusted with further skills training.
Courses are typically closed six months after they begin for several reasons:
1. Structured Learning Environment: Setting a deadline for course closure helps create a structured learning environment. It provides a clear timeframe within which students are expected to complete their training requirements. Having a structured timeline fosters accountability and motivation among students, as they are aware of the expectations and are encouraged to progress through the course in a timely manner.
2. Resource Management: Educational institutions allocate resources based on the anticipated duration of a course. Closing courses within a specific timeframe allows for effective resource management. It enables institutions to plan faculty workload, administrative support, infrastructure usage, and other necessary resources. Leaving courses open indefinitely would make resource planning and allocation challenging, potentially leading to inefficiencies and increased costs.
3. Curriculum Updates: Courses are designed based on current knowledge, industry standards, and best practices. Educational programs evolve to incorporate new information and advancements in the field. By closing courses after a designated period, institutions can periodically review and update the curriculum to ensure its relevance and alignment with the latest developments. This promotes a high-quality learning experience for students.
4. Program Completion Rates: Setting a time limit for course completion helps maintain satisfactory program completion rates. It ensures that students progress through the program and complete their training within a reasonable timeframe. Encouraging timely completion benefits both students and institutions by facilitating timely graduation, career advancement, and the overall success of the educational program.
5. Academic Support and Feedback: Having a defined timeframe for course completion allows instructors to provide timely academic support and feedback to students. Instructors can review assignments, provide guidance, and address any learning gaps more effectively when there is a clear timeline. This promotes a more interactive and engaging learning experience, enhancing student success and satisfaction.
While leaving courses open indefinitely may provide flexibility, it can also lead to challenges in terms of resource management, curriculum updates, and maintaining satisfactory program completion rates. By setting a reasonable timeframe for course closure, educational institutions can ensure efficient resource allocation, curriculum relevance, and timely student support, ultimately contributing to the overall effectiveness of the educational program.
Education for Health Africa has recently transitioned from in-person training to a combination of hybrid and e-learning options. This strategic decision reflects our commitment to providing high-quality and accessible training programs that meet the evolving needs of our learners and the educational landscape.
The shift to hybrid and e-learning training offers several advantages. Firstly, it enables us to reach a broader audience across different locations. Learners can now access our courses conveniently without the limitations of physical attendance, allowing for greater participation and flexibility.
Secondly, technology-enabled training provides flexibility and convenience for learners. They can access course materials and modules at their own pace, fitting their studies into their busy schedules and personal commitments.
Moreover, integrating technology enhances the learning experience. Interactive e-learning platforms offer engaging content, including multimedia resources and virtual simulations, fostering active participation, collaboration, and immediate feedback.
Additionally, e-learning allows us to keep our training programs up to date with the latest research and industry trends. Online platforms facilitate efficient updates to ensure learners receive the most relevant knowledge.
In summary, our transition to hybrid and e-learning aligns with our goal of delivering accessible, flexible, and high-quality education to healthcare professionals in Africa. By embracing technology and expanding our training options, Education for Health Africa empowers learners to excel in their careers, overcome geographical barriers, and stay current in the ever-evolving healthcare field.
Recording all the reporting information directly on the audiogram itself in an audiometry portfolio of evidence offers several advantages:
- Clear and concise documentation: By recording all reporting information on the audiogram, you create a single, comprehensive document that encapsulates both the test results and the associated analysis. This eliminates the need for separate reports or additional paperwork, making the information easily accessible and organized in one place.
- Immediate context and interpretation: Placing the reporting information directly on the audiogram allows for immediate context and interpretation of the test results. When reviewing the audiogram, the reader can readily understand the findings, including the type, degree, and configuration of hearing loss, along with any other relevant observations or comments.
- Enhanced communication: An audiogram with detailed reporting information provides a clear means of communication between audiologists, physicians, and other healthcare professionals. It ensures that critical information regarding the patient’s hearing status and specific recommendations for management or intervention are readily available and easily understood by all parties involved in the patient’s care.
- Simplified tracking and follow-up: When all reporting information is included on the audiogram, it simplifies the tracking and follow-up process. Any subsequent assessments or comparisons can easily refer back to the initial audiogram, ensuring a seamless continuity of care and facilitating the monitoring of the patient’s hearing status over time.
- Legal and medico-legal purposes: In some cases, the audiogram itself may serve as a legal or medico-legal document. By including the reporting information directly on the audiogram, it becomes a comprehensive and self-contained record that can be used for reference, expert opinions, or legal proceedings, if necessary.
It is important to note that while recording reporting information on the audiogram is generally beneficial, it is still essential to maintain accurate and detailed patient records in accordance with professional guidelines and legal requirements.
A practical day is when we make equipment, disposables and a facilitator available to assist learners learn the practical side of testing or allow learners mentored assistance when completing their portfolios of evidence.
There are two reasons we have instituted the practical days:
- To teach our learners the practical aspects of training. In this instance the practical day is included as part of the course price and is available to all students in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, George, Port Elizabeth, Nelspruit, Windhoek and Harare. The learners have the opportunity to learn how to use the equipment on fellow students under the guidance and mentorship of an expert facilitator.
- To assist learners who are not working in clinic settings and who do not therefore have equipment available to complete the portfolio requirements. In this instance there is an extra charge to the learner to attend this day.
The learners who are attending the practical day as part of their course registration will test fellow learners. The learners who are attending the practical day as a means to complete their portfolio of evidence will need to bring their own “patients” for testing.
No learners may not share patients for portfolios of evidence. The reason for this is that the aim of the portfolio is for every learner to learn to test real life people who do not have previous experience with testing.
If the learner is registered on a course, one practical day is included in that course fee. If a learner needs to attend a practical day in order to complete his or her portfolio of evidence there is a charge of R990.00 per learner to cover the venue hire, use of equipment, disposables and tea or coffee.
Education for Health Africa is in the process of becoming accredited to deliver QTCO spirometry, audiometry and vision screening training. We are the only and first training business that we know of in the QTCO accreditation process. We wrote the QTCO curriculums and teach according to these.
While Education for Health Africa (EFHA) courses are CPD accredited through the South African Medical Association (SAMA), it is important to note that this accreditation primarily applies to doctors leaving a challenge in extending CPD accreditation to nurses, technicians, and other healthcare professionals who participate in EFHA short courses. The reason why the courses are accredited with SAMA rather than the South African Nursing Council (SANC) is that SANC are still in the process of developing or refining their accreditation procedures for CPD activities. SAMA is the only professional association currently offering CPD accreditation for these courses in South Africa at this time. Although official CPD accreditation may not be available for all healthcare professionals attending EFHA courses at this time, their commitment to continuous learning and improvement remains crucial for their personal and professional advancement.
We have all the information you need on course dates for the whole year on our training calendar as well as the price list and any other information you need. You can also shop online for our courses.
We have tried to make the training calendar as user friendly as possible by setting it up so you can search dates OR course titles OR locations.
You can also call us at +27 16 454 8325, WhatsApp or call us on +27 83 475 1457 or email us at us at support@educationforhealth.africa for more information.
Yes. Our eLearning courses are available via our website. Visit our online shop to see what courses we offer and to book.
If you choose to take a hybrid training course you will be part of a group of other learners led by a live facilitator with ongoing group communications, support and guidance through live facilitator led online theory sessions and an in person practical day together with online assessments. Access to our eLearning platform is also included. Assessment dates are pre-set for the group together.
If you choose to take an eLearning course you are registered, given and access code and all learning takes place on your own without other learners or a facilitator. When you are ready to take assessments, you contact the Education for Health Africa office for individual dates.
The practical day is a part of the overall course price. If you miss it you will not get a refund. However, depending on the circumstances we may allow you to attend a practical day in the future to make up for the one you missed. Talk to us at support@educationforhealth.africa. We are always happy to try assist.
You can either order your course and pay using our website shop OR you can communicate with our bookings team who will create an invoice which is sent to you. On receipt of that invoice you can then pay for your training by EFT and send the proof of payment to the bookings team. As soon as the money reflects in our bank account we can then give you access to the course and you can immediately start getting ahead.
The payment in full for any course must be received before you are given access to the course.
You are entitled to a 10% discount if you take 3 training courses together and full payment for all 3 courses is made up front. Typically, when people book spirometry, audiometry and vision screening full courses or refresher courses we will give a 10% discount but this holds trye too for any combination if three courses booked together that you may wish to take.
We will refund your full course fee minus a 15% administrative fee.
Ensure you have power and internet connectivity for the live online portion of the training. Make sure you have a backup plan if there is loadshedding or your wifi fails. Try to position yourself in an environment where you can focus on training and not be called away to deal with subjects or other work issues during the training.
Every course has an estimated stipulated number of hours that you will need to have free in one way or another to complete your learning. These hours can vary between learners based on their experience and ability. You will definitely need time out of work for the theory online sessions, the theory assessment and practical assessment. The rest of the content you can fit in around your work or take time off – that part is up to you. Any time off work will need to be agreed with your employer.
We provide tea, coffee, milk and sugar on the training days but not food. You will need to bring your own snacks / lunch with you.
You can either visit our website www.educationforhealth.africa to buy a course online, or if you require a bespoke course, or want to host training for a group at your location you can call us at +27 16 454 8325, WhatsApp or call us on +27 83 475 1457 or email us at us at support@educationforhealth.africa for more information.
If you are not able to book online that is fine, just contact us on the telephone number or email address above and we’ll email you a booking form that you can fill in and send back to us to secure your booking.
We need both yours and your employers contact details please. You should carefully read the registration form before signing each section as to where we send what information and to whom. And what details you can expect we will give to the employer if the company is paying for your training. What is vitally important is that we need a complete and functional email address and WhatsApp number.
We use email and WhatsApp primarily to keep in communication with you. Your booking process and communications and final certificate will be sent by email. For every course running we create a WhatsApp group and use it before, during and after training to keep in touch as a group on academics and any other related information.
We do everything we can not to cancel courses and most of the time do not cancel courses. Every now and again, if the numbers are really low and we can’t break even or something unexpected happens we do reserve the right to cancel training. In this instance you would be automatically given first option to enroll on the next course.
Just contact us and we will reschedule you on to the next upcoming training course. The financial implications are mentioned in the frequently asked questions “Finances” section.
