NOCN
Level 3
QN: 601/8580/6
Curriculum Active
NOCN Level 3 Diploma for Health Screeners
Official qualification regulated by Ofqual, awarded by NOCN. Classified as a Vocationally-Related Qualification. Total guided learning hours: 844 hours.
Qualification Level
Level 3
Awarding Body
NOCN
Syllabus Units
39 Units
Guided Hours
844 hrs
Instant access to interactive lessons, quizzes, and spaced revision.
Course Syllabus & Study Modules
Complete breakdown of verified curriculum topics and learning objectives.
1
Anatomy, physiology and pathology of the eye
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand the basic anatomy of the eye.
- Understand how the physiology of the eye is affected in individuals with diabetes.
- Understand how to recognise all of the features of diabetic retinopathy.
- Understand how diabetes may be associated with abnormal changes in the anterior eye.
- Understand how to recognise other significant diseases of the retina.
2
Causes and Spread of Infection
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand the causes of infection.
- Understand the transmission of infection.
3
Cleaning, Decontamination and Waste Management
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand how to maintain a clean environment to prevent the spread of infection.
- Understand the principles and steps of the decontamination process.
- Understand the importance of good waste management practice in the prevention of the spread of infection.
4
Detect retinal disease and classify diabetic retinopathy
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Be able to use grading software to record result.
- Understand the criteria for assessment of image quality and outcome for the individual.
- Be able to identify and record the presence or absence of diabetic or other eye disease according to National standards.
- Understand the Grading pathway and related quality assurance.
- Be able to classify the grade of diabetic retinopathy.
- Understand the process for communicating grading results including the impact on individual referral and management.
5
Engage in personal development in health, social care or children's and young people's settings
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand what is required for competence in own work role.
- Be able to reflect on practice.
- Be able to evaluate own performance.
- Be able to agree a personal development plan.
- Be able to use learning opportunities and reflective practice to contribute to personal development.
6
Health Screening Principles
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand the policies, procedures and principles of health screening.
- Be able to follow the requirements for informed choice and consent in health screening.
- Understand the impact screening may have on individuals.
- Understand the importance of quality assurance, standards and key performance indicators in health screening.
- Understand the importance of clinical governance within own area.
7
Prepare for Diabetic Retinopathy Screening
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Be able to prepare the environment and individual for retinopathy screening.
- Understand the ways in which screening is affected by individual needs.
- Understand the purpose of visual acuity measurement.
- Be able to select and carry out the most appropriate visual acuity test.
- Understand the purpose of dilatation of the pupils and the action and contraindications of drops.
- Be able to store and instil eye drops.
8
Prepare to Undertake a Newborn Hearing Screen
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Be able to identify the newborn hearing population.
- Be able to offer the new parent the newborn hearing screen.
- Be able to identify newborn hearing programme risk factors.
- Be able to provide a family-centred service.
- Be able to check and prepare newborn hearing screening equipment.
- Be able to prepare the clinical area and optimise screening conditions.
9
Principles for implementing duty of care in health, social care or children’s and young people’s settings
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand how duty of care contributes to safe practice.
- Know how to address conflicts or dilemmas that may arise between an individual’s rights and the duty of care.
- Know how to respond to complaints.
10
Principles of Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening and Treatment
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand the circulatory system.
- Understand the medical terms relevant to Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening.
- Understand the pathophysiology and formation of arterial disease.
- Understand the treatment options for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms.
11
Principles of safeguarding and protection in health and social care
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Know how to recognise signs of ab
- Know how to respond to suspected or alleged ab
- Understand the national and local context of safeguarding and protection from ab
- Understand ways to reduce the likelihood of ab
- Know how to recognise and report unsafe practices.
12
Principles of Ultrasound for Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand the theory of diagnostic B-mode ultrasound.
- Understand the main functions of ultrasound equipment controls.
- Understand ultrasound safety and the potential biological effects.
13
Promote and implement health and safety in health and social care
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand own responsibilities, and the responsibilities of others, relating to health and safety.
- Be able to carry out own responsibilities for health and safety.
- Understand procedures for responding to accidents and sudden illness.
- Be able to reduce the spread of infection.
- Be able to move and handle equipment and other objects safely.
- Be able to handle hazardous substances and materials.
- Be able to promote fire safety in the work setting.
- Be able to implement security measures in the work setting.
- Know how to manage stress.
14
Promote communication in health, social care or children’s and young people’s settings
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand why effective communication is important in the work setting.
- Be able to meet the communication and language needs, wishes and preferences of individuals.
- Be able to overcome barriers to communication.
- Be able to apply principles and practices relating to confidentiality.
15
Promote equality and inclusion in health, social care or children’s and young people’s settings
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand the importance of diversity, equality and inclusion.
- Be able to work in an inclusive way.
- Be able to promote diversity, equality and inclusion.
16
Promote good practice in handling information in health and social care settings
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand requirements for handling information in health and social care settings.
- Be able to implement good practice in handling information.
- Be able to support others to handle information.
17
Promote person centred approaches in health and social care
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand the application of person centred approaches in health and social care.
- Be able to work in a person-centred way.
- Be able to establish consent when providing care or support.
- Be able to implement and promote active participation.
- Be able to support the individual’s right to make choices.
- Be able to promote individuals well-being.
- Understand the role of risk assessment in enabling a person centred approach.
18
The Ear and Hearing
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand the structure and function of the ear.
- Understand the types and causes of hearing loss.
- Know different methods for assessing hearing.
- Know different strategies for managing hearing loss.
19
The principles of Infection Prevention and Control
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand roles and responsibilities in the prevention and control of infections.
- Understand legislation and policies relating to prevention and control of infections.
- Understand systems and procedures relating to the prevention and control of infections.
- Understand the importance of risk assessment in relation to the prevention and control of infections.
- Understand the importance of using Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in the prevention and control of infections.
- Understand the importance of good personal hygiene in the prevention and control of infections.
20
The role of the health and social care worker
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand working relationships in health and social care.
- Be able to work in ways that are agreed with the employer.
- Be able to work in partnership with others.
21
Understand How to Safeguard the Wellbeing of Children and Young People
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand the main legislation, guidelines, policies and procedures for safeguarding children and young people.
- Understand the importance of working in partnership with other organisations to safeguard children and young people.
- Understand the importance of ensuring children and young people’s safety and protection in the work setting.
- Understand how to respond to evidence or concerns that a child or young person has been abused or harmed.
- Understand how to respond to evidence or concerns that a child or young person has been bullied.
- Understand how to work with children and young people to support their safety and wellbeing.
- Understand the importance of e-safety for children and young people.
22
Understanding Diabetes and Diabetic Retinopathy
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand the difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
- Understand hypoglycaemia.
- Understand the long-term complications of diabetes.
- Understand the relevance of risk factors in development of diabetic retinopathy.
23
Undertake Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Be able to minimise risk of injury within the health screening setting.
- Be able to assess the environment and equipment for an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm screening episode.
- Be able to prepare the individual for an Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm screening episode.
- Be able to use an ultrasound transducer and equipment controls to acquire optimal diagnostic images of the abdominal aorta.
- Be able to accurately save
- record and store results of the screening event.
- Be able to follow agreed protocols following the screening event to determine the appropriate course of action.
24
Undertake an Automated Auditory Brainstem Response _AABR_ Newborn Hearing Screen
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand the Newborn Hearing Screen Programme Automated Auditory Brainstem Response (AABR) screening tests.
- Be able to undertake Auditory Brainstem Response (AABR) Newborn Hearing Screening following national protocols.
- Be able to communicate the Auditory Brainstem Response (AABR) screening outcome and next steps.
- Be able to record the Auditory Brainstem Response (AABR) screening outcome.
25
Undertake an Automated Auditory Response (AABR) Newborn Hearing Screen
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand the Newborn Hearing Screen Programme Automated Auditory Brainstem Response (AABR) screening tests.
- Be able to undertake Auditory Brainstem Response (AABR) Newborn Hearing Screening following national protocols.
- Be able to communicate the Auditory Brainstem Response (AABR) screening outcome and next steps.
- Be able to record the Auditory Brainstem Response (AABR) screening outcome.
26
Undertake an Automated Oto-Acoustic Emissions _AOAE_ Newborn Hearing Screen
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand the Newborn Hearing Screening Programme Automated Oto-Acoustic Emissions (AOAE) screening tests.
- Be able to undertake Automated Oto-Acoustic Emissions (AOAE) Newborn Hearing Screening following national protocols.
- Be able to communicate the Automated Oto-Acoustic Emissions (AOAE) screening outcome and next steps.
- Be able to record the Automated Oto-Acoustic Emissions (AOAE) screening outcome.
- Be able to interrogate, enter, transfer and manipulate data associated with Newborn Hearing Screening as per programme protocols.
27
Undertake an Automated Oto-Acoustic Emissions (AOAE) Newborn Hearing Screen
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand the Newborn Hearing Screening Programme Automated Oto-Acoustic Emissions (AOAE) screening tests.
- Be able to undertake Automated Oto-Acoustic Emissions (AOAE) Newborn Hearing Screening following national protocols.
- Be able to communicate the Automated Oto-Acoustic Emissions (AOAE) screening outcome and next steps.
- Be able to record the Automated Oto-Acoustic Emissions (AOAE) screening outcome.
- Be able to interrogate, enter, transfer and manipulate data associated with Newborn Hearing Screening as per programme protocols.
28
Undertake Diabetic Retinopathy imaging
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Be able to prepare the retinal camera and screening equipment for obtaining images of the eye.
- Be able to obtain images of the retina.
- Be able to address difficulties in obtaining retinal images of sufficient quality or quantity.
- Be able to assess images for clarity, positioning and gradability.
- Be able to accurately save the results of the screening episode.
- Be able to follow agreed protocols following the screening episode to determine the appropriate course of action.
Regulatory & Verification Details
- Qualification Number (QN)
- 601/8580/6
- Regulated Status
- Available to learners
- Awarding Body
- NOCN
- Qualification Type
- Vocationally-Related Qualification
- Operational Start
- Apr 2016
- Operational End
- Aug 2026