Certificate in Wound Debridement (Level 7)

About the programme

Are you a health professional who wants to upskill in wound debridement procedures?

Non-healing wounds greatly affect a person’s quality of life and present an economic healthcare issue. Chronic wounds are estimated to cost first-world countries between 3-5% of total healthcare expenditure. 

This is New Zealand’s first and only qualification in wound debridement and provides competency in conservative sharp wound debridement (CSWD). 

To apply for this Certificate, you’ll need to be an existing health professional (RN, Nurse Practitioner, EN, Podiatrist or Doctor) working with adults and performing wound care procedures (at least weekly). You’ll need organisational support from your employer to undertake mentor supervised CSWD procedures within your health care setting.   

You need to provide a mentor(s) who can assist with your competencies, in clinical practice, after you have attended the two-day practicum. Your mentor must be performing CSWD competently in practice and a registered health care professional (e.g. RN, NP, Podiatrist, Doctor). If you are unable to find a mentor, we can assist with this, but you may have to travel to the mentor's organisation to complete your competencies. 

Benefits

• Train under New Zealand Wound Care Society clinical nurse specialists.
• The study programme was co-designed by international Wound Care expert and educator, Wendy White.
• Practical practicum with a significant focus on developing clinical skills.
• Work-based learning ensures opportunities to safely practise clinical skills.

This programme is delivered by the New Zealand Wound Care Society and Wendy White in collaboration with Otago Polytechnic. It runs from 7 April 2025 - 7 October 2025. There is one, face-to-face, two-day practicum as part of your study. There are two locations for this practicum:

• Dunedin - Wednesday 25 and Thursday 26 June, 2025
• Auckland - Wednesday 2 and Thursday 3 July, 2025

A maximum of 20 learners can be accommodated at each site (either Dunedin or Auckland). We will contact you to book your preferred site. 

Please note: An early application will secure your preferred site.

Entry

Entry requirements

Academic requirements

You must currently be, or be equivalent to, one of the following:

• A Registered Doctor with the Medical Council of New Zealand
• A Registered Nurse with the Nursing Council of New Zealand
• Accredited as an Enrolled Nurse with the Nursing Council of New Zealand, with at least three years of experience
• Hold an annual practising certificate issued by the Podiatrists Board of New Zealand.

English Language requirements

If English is not your first language, you must provide:

• New Zealand University Entrance OR
• Overall Academic IELTS 6.0 with no individual band score lower than 5.5 (achieved in one test completed in the last two years) OR
• Acceptable alternative evidence of the required IELTS (see here for NZQA proficiency table and here for list of recognised proficiency tests).

If you need to improve your English Language skills, we offer a wide range of English programmes.

Other requirements

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Disclose any criminal convictions prior to commencing the programme.
• Consent to a police check prior to commencing the programme.

The above is to ensure that, while on work placement, you comply with workplace obligations for the protection for vulnerable adults under the Crimes Act 2012. See sections 151, 195, and 195A.

• You must have access to a workplace with the appropriate supervision (mentor/s), equipment, and patient load. You'll be required to submit this Letter of Employer Support with your application to confirm your workplace can provide these necessities and can support your learning. Please find the Mentor/Learner Agreement here (this is just for your records and does not need to be submitted).
• You need to provide a mentor(s) who can assist with your competencies, in clinical practice, after you have attended the two-day practicum. Your mentor must be performing CSWD competently in practice and a registered health care professional (e.g. RN, NP, Podiatrist, Doctor). If you are unable to find a mentor, we can assist with this, but you may have to travel to the mentor's organisation to complete your competencies.

Selection process

If the number of applicants exceeds the available places, a waitlist will be used to ensure preference is given to applicants in order of application. 

Recognition of prior learning

Some learners may come to this Certificate with prior knowledge and work experience. This programme has been structured as a group of smaller courses to allow provision for this. Provided learners can pass the assessments for the relevant course, recognition of prior learning will be allowed.