Newborn Hearing Screeners First to Complete NZQA Qualification
Lynne Forsman
Jenny Woodward
Two newborn hearing screeners have become the first to complete a new qualification – the
New Zealand Qualification Authority (NZQA) National Certificate in Health, Disability and
Aged Support (Newborn Hearing Screening). The national certificate recognises screeners’
specific knowledge of newborn hearing screening.
Auckland District Health Board (DHB) lead screener Jenny Woodward, and Lynne Forsman,
Programme Manager for Waikato DHB, recently completed the requirements for the new
qualification.
A workforce of newborn hearing screeners was developed after the announcement in 2007
of the introduction of the Universal Newborn Hearing Screening and Early Intervention
Programme. One-hundred and twelve people completed training run by the University of
Canterbury. Along with DHB orientation, this training allowed screeners to meet minimum
levels to begin screening independently.
Since then, the NSU has worked with Careerforce to develop the national certificate
qualification. To acquire it, screeners need to complete 13 compulsory unit standards and
one elective unit standard.
Lynne Forsman says it’s great to be able to get a specific qualification for the work she does.
“For newborn hearing screeners to be formally recognised through the NZQA national
certificate is a really positive step forward.”
The course can be completed over 12 months but Jenny and Lynne began their study in
August and finished at the end of October.
Jenny says she and Lynne were willing guinea pigs for the new course.
“It presented a very different way of learning than any I had done before. NZQA sent out the
workbooks and portfolios and when I first opened them I was a bit daunted. I had to get back
into the mind-set of studying!”
Jenny and Lynne say assessor Deb Marshall from Careerforce was very helpful and guided
them through the course.
“All learning is valuable and the study helped me take a fresh look at what I do and how I do
it,” says Jenny.
The national certificate covers the use of Automated Otoacoustic Emission and Automated
Auditory Brainstem Response newborn hearing screening methods; understanding of safety
requirements, risk factors and protocols for well babies and babies in neonatal and special
care units; administration procedures; the use and maintenance of hearing screening
equipment; communicating with parents of newborns; demonstrating competency in carrying
out newborn hearing screening and referral; and intervention options for newborns with
hearing loss.
Holders of the qualification will also be able to apply the Code of Rights when supporting
people, demonstrate knowledge of infection control requirements and describe and apply
culturally safe operating principles and Maori values in a health and disability setting, as well
as applying knowledge of communication process theory.