Digital Health and Care

PDAs are nationally recognised qualifications designed for people who want to develop or deepen their knowledge and skills in a specific area, or learn about a new subject.

The PDA in TEC was developed with employers and academic institutions to address the skills needs of the health and social care workforce.

It supports Scotland’s Digital Health and Care Strategy: Enabling, Connecting, and Empowering_2018 and Care in the Digital Age_2021,by developing the knowledge and skills needed to embed digital solutions, support preventative care and enhance services across health, housing, social care and social work.

The PDA in TEC is ideal for people who are new to digital health and care or interested in developing their knowledge in this area. It is also suitable for those already working in the sector who want to develop their skills further.

The qualification supports Continuing Professional Development (CPD), helping you develop skills for your current role and support your future career progression.

The PDA in TEC is at SCQF Level 7, equivalent to an Advanced Higher or Higher National Certificate (HNC).

It consists of two SQA Higher National Units, each worth 8 SCQF credit points, totalling 16 SCQF credit points.

The PDA is awarded upon successful completion of both units.

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides a way to compare qualifications and understand the level of learning involved.

SCQF Level 7 reflects the level of knowledge, skills and learning expected from the PDA in Technology Enabled Care.

For comparison, other qualifications at SCQF Level 7 include Advanced Highers and some Higher National Certificates (HNCs).

To achieve the PDA, participants must complete the mandatory unit and one optional unit from the available options.

For this funded programme, Public Services Delivery Scotland currently provides funding for the following units only:

• Mandatory Unit: J48M 34
• Optional Unit: J48N 34

As part of this funded programme, participants are expected to complete the PDA within an 18-week semester. An assignment plan will set out the submission deadlines, and tutor support will be available to help you stay on track.

Each unit has a notional learning time of 40 hours, with around 80 hours required to complete the full award. 

Entry is at the discretion of the delivery centre. The PDA in TEC is an SCQF Level 7 academic qualification, so applicants should be prepared to undertake study, reflection and written work.

Relevant qualifications or experience may include:

• SVQ Level 2 or 3 in Social Services and Healthcare, or equivalent.
• Experience working in Technology Enabled Care (TEC), a call or alarm receiving centre, or a contact centre such as NHS 24.
• Experience of, or an interest in, health, social care, social work or housing. 

For full details about the PDA in TEC, including the Group Award Specification and unit specifications, visit the Qualifications Scotland website.

Assessment Support Packs are available to approved SQA delivery centres. 

For information about the cost of the qualification outside of this funded programme, please contact the relevant delivery centre. 

The PDA in TEC is delivered through approved SQA delivery centres. For information about delivery centres offering the qualification, please check the  Qualifications Scotland Where can you take this course?  

Start dates vary depending on the delivery centre and programme. For information about available start dates, please contact the relevant delivery centre. 

Participant numbers are determined by each delivery centre based on available resources and capacity. Employing organisations may also determine participation based on workforce needs. 

The PDA in TEC is not focused on learning how to use specific devices, gadgets or software. Instead, it develops your knowledge and confidence in how digital technology can support health and social care.

You’ll explore how technology can help people manage their health and wellbeing, improve access to services and support more person-centred care.

The learning focuses on applying digital solutions in real-world practice, helping you develop the skills and confidence to respond to new digital developments in health and care. 

Yes. While Information Governance is not a standalone topic, it is embedded throughout the mandatory and optional units.

This includes key considerations around handling, accessing and processing sensitive, personal and anonymised information. 

The PDA in TEC provides an opportunity to formalise existing knowledge and experience, reflect on current practice and explore new developments in digital health and care.

It can support professional recognition, build confidence, strengthen existing skills and support future career progression.

You can register your interest to be notified when applications for the next cohort open.

Applications are assessed by a selection panel, with panel members independently scoring each application against the application criteria.

Applications are competitive and places are limited, so it’s important to provide clear, relevant information that demonstrates why you are applying and how the qualification could make a difference.

The panel will look for evidence of your commitment to completing the qualification and how you plan to apply your learning to benefit yourself, your organisation, the people you support and the wider sector.

Each question has a word limit, so use the available space to provide clear, focused responses. 

For further support, see the Application Guidance.

No advanced IT skills are required. You will need:

• A desktop computer or laptop.
• Reliable internet access.
• Basic IT skills to access online learning platforms and submit assignments.

The PDA in TEC is completed over 18 weeks (one college semester). You should expect to commit around 80 hours to complete the qualification, including:

• Online learning activities.
• Self-directed study.
• Assignment work.

No. The PDA in TEC is delivered entirely online, so there are no in-person lectures or tutorials.

The only scheduled session is a mandatory two-hour online induction during the first week of the programme. Multiple time options will be offered where possible to provide flexibility.

All other learning activities, including assignments, are self-directed and can be completed at a time that suits you, provided you meet the college’s assessment deadlines.

Yes. The PDA is an academic qualification, and both units require written assignments.

Your college will provide guidance on the assessment requirements, expectations and deadlines.

Tutor support is available throughout the programme. If you are struggling with your workload or meeting deadlines, speak to your tutor as early as possible so they can discuss the support available.

You will learn alongside participants from across health, social care, social work and housing, including people working in the public, third and independent sectors.

The programme provides opportunities to share experiences, learn from others and build connections across different areas of health and care.

In addition to Public Services Delivery Scotland-funded places, individuals and organisations can self-fund the qualification as an investment in professional and workforce development.

Self-funded participants receive the same qualification, learning resources and tutor support as those on funded places. Self-funding can be a valuable option for developing skills in digital health and social care, supporting career progression and improving service delivery, particularly when funded opportunities are not available.

For information about self-funding options, please see the links below:

• University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI, Perth College and UHI, Argyll College)
• SVQ Centre Bon Accord Care