The University of Malta and St Vincent de Paul Residence have signed an agreement for a short course of studies for prospective care assistants.
The training course ‘Care of the Elderly: Theory and Practice’ will be accredited as a unit within the University of Malta’s Programme in the Liberal Arts and Sciences and will run for four months on a full-time basis between September and December.
It will be divided into seven weeks of lectures (theory and clinical skills), and seven weeks of ward placement. PLAS allows prospective students to follow ‘stand alone’ units from a broad range of areas in the arts and sciences, with each unit being assigned ECTS credits and certified individually.
Through the successful completion of this unit of study, students will be obtain 14 ECTS credits. This will allow participants to top up to 30 ECTS should they wish to obtain a University Certificate in Liberal Studies, and to continue further studies to obtain a diploma or a degree from the University of Malta.
University Rector Juanito Camilleri comsaid: “This is one way in which the University, through the Centre for the Liberal Arts and Sciences, is supporting professional development in various sectors, while promoting continuing education. We would like to promote such collaborations with other entities, companies and professional bodies.”
Parliamentary Secretary for Rights of Persons with Disability and Active Ageing Justyne Caruana, said the agreement will continue improving the quality of care given to older persons, since more people will now be attracted to follow the care assistant course. She mentioned that the government, through her Parliamentary Secretariat, was investing a lot to provide quality care for older persons.
Carauna said that St Vincent de Paul Residence, which is a long-term care facility, is being transformed into Centre of Excellence in Training in Care for Older Persons and she thanked the University of Malta, an important partner in this process.
The overall objective of the short course is to enable learners to gain the knowledge, understanding and practical skills in order to support health care professionals and to be able to work effectively within the long-term care settings for care of the elderly. It aims to equip prospective carers with the basic knowledge, skills and attitudes to become competent and caring workers able to provide assistance for clients and residents experiencing cognitive and mental health challenges.
The Unit components will draw upon the appropriate clinical and communication skills required; a better understanding of nutrition in the elderly; infection prevention and control and a sound knowledge of the different needs of the older person.
Applications are being accepted from Monday August 3 to Friday August 14.
Applications may be sent by post or delivered by hand between 9am and noon at: St Vincent De Paul, Training Centre, Ingiered Road, Luqa.
More information may be obtained on telephone number 2291 2473 or by visiting the website www.activeageing.gov.mt.