Diploma in Health Services Support
The Diploma in Health Services Support is a KNEC-examined programme that trains individuals in advanced health facility support operations, patient care coordination, and health services management. The programme is accredited by the Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority (TVETA) and examined by the Kenya National Examinations Council (KNEC).
The short answer
- What it costs
- Up to Ksh 67,189 a year at a public institution, Ksh 134,378 for the whole course. Up to Ksh 150,000 a year at a private one.The detail
- Who can get in
- A KCSE mean grade of C- or above, plus 2 subject grades. There is another way in without it.The detail
- How long, and when
- Takes 2 years, full-time, with 3 months of attachment. Next intake January 2027, at 1 institution.The detail
- Where it leads
- 8 careers in the catalogue. The least exposed to AI is Dental Ceramist, at 3 out of 100.The detail
The programme
What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.
Overview
Trainees develop competencies in health facility management support, patient care coordination, infection prevention and control, medical waste management, quality assurance, and health services administration. The curriculum combines theoretical instruction with extensive clinical attachments in healthcare facilities.
Kenya's healthcare sector requires trained support personnel to manage facility operations and coordinate patient care services. The programme supports the Ministry of Health's quality improvement initiatives in health facilities.
The course is delivered through classroom sessions and supervised clinical practice in hospitals and health centres. Trainees gain hands-on experience in facility management, patient coordination, and health services support operations.
Graduates can work as health services coordinators, facility support supervisors, patient care coordinators, or quality assurance assistants in hospitals, clinics, and health centres. The programme provides a foundation for progression to higher-level health management qualifications.
This programme is suitable for individuals with a KCSE mean grade of C- (minus) who have a Certificate in Health Services Support or related qualification. It provides advanced skills for health facility support roles.
What you study
8 subjects- Health Facility Management
- Patient Care Coordination
- Infection Prevention and Control
- Medical Waste Management
- Quality Assurance in Healthcare
- Health Services Administration
- Health Information Systems
- Occupational Health and Safety
Modules
8 in the programmeHealth Facility Management
Year 1Semester 14 creditsCore
Covers health facility organisation, departmental coordination, resource management, and operational planning.
Patient Care Coordination
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Develops skills in coordinating patient care services across departments and managing patient flow.
Infection Prevention and Control
Year 1Semester 14 creditsCore
Covers advanced infection control protocols, outbreak management, and IPC programme coordination in health facilities.
Medical Waste Management
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers comprehensive medical waste management systems including policy, segregation, treatment, and disposal.
Quality Assurance in Healthcare
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduces quality assurance principles, standards, monitoring, and improvement in health facility operations.
Health Services Administration
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Covers administrative functions in health facilities including records management, scheduling, and staff coordination.
Health Information Systems
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduces health information systems, electronic health records, and data management in health facilities.
Occupational Health and Safety
Year 1Semester 12 creditsElective
Covers occupational health and safety standards and practices for healthcare workers and facility staff.
Specialisations
Facility Management
Focuses on health facility operations, resource management, and administration.
Infection Control Coordination
Specialises in coordinating infection prevention and control programmes.
Patient Care Coordination
Covers patient flow management and care service coordination.
Quality Assurance
Focuses on quality monitoring, standards compliance, and improvement.
A day as a student
A typical day includes morning theory on facility management or quality assurance, followed by afternoon clinical practice in hospital departments where trainees coordinate patient services, manage infection control protocols, and support facility operations.
The trade-offs
| In its favour | Against it |
|---|---|
| Healthcare sector provides stable employment opportunities. | Working in healthcare facilities involves exposure to infectious diseases. |
| Diploma-level skills enable supervisory and coordination roles. | Shift work including nights and weekends may be required. |
| Foundation for progression to health management degrees. | — |
What it costs
Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.
What it costs, and where
Against 349 health sciences coursesAnnual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.
The fine print
TVET 67,189/yr public. IDIA 70K, Lanista 150K/yr private (idiacollege.ac.ke, lanista).
HELB TVET loans, KUCCPS capitation, and county bursaries are available for eligible students.
Funding options
HELB TVET Loan
KUCCPS Government Capitation
County Bursary
Scholarships
2 recordedHELB TVET Loan
LoanKsh 50,000Kenyan
Kenyan students enrolled in TVET institutions
County Bursary
BursaryKenyan
Residents of the respective county enrolled in TVET programmes
Scholarships you could apply for
1 usable where it is taught- Moringa School Craftbyte Scholarship
QuarterlyFullMoringa School
Full software development course
Getting in
The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.
What you need
Passed Certificate in Health Services Support or equivalent.
When it next starts
Taught at 1 institutionIncluding Bartmore Technical College.
Including Bartmore Technical College.
Including Bartmore Technical College.
How you are assessed
3 componentsKNEC Module I Examination
Written examination70% of the mark
Module I theory examination covering health facility management foundations.
KNEC Module II Examination
Written examination70% of the mark
Module II theory and practical examination covering advanced health services support.
Clinical Practice Assessment
Practicum30% of the mark
Assessment of clinical practice competencies in healthcare facilities.
Accreditation
Kenya National Examinations Council
AcademicRequired
KNEC examines and certifies the Diploma in Health Services Support.
Technical and Vocational Education and Training Authority
AcademicRequired
TVETA accredits institutions offering health services support programmes.
Examined by KNEC and accredited by TVETA. Health facility operations are overseen by the Ministry of Health.
Where it leads
The roles it opens, and what you leave with.
Where graduates go
4 rolesHealth Services Coordinator
High demandKsh 32,000 to Ksh 65,000
Coordinates health services and patient care activities in hospitals and health centres.
Facility Support Supervisor
Moderate demandKsh 30,000 to Ksh 60,000
Supervises facility support staff and ensures health facility operations run efficiently.
Patient Care Coordinator
Moderate demandKsh 28,000 to Ksh 55,000
Coordinates patient care services and manages patient flow in healthcare facilities.
Quality Assurance Assistant
Moderate demandKsh 28,000 to Ksh 55,000
Supports quality assurance programmes in health facilities including monitoring and reporting.
Graduate outcomes
Graduates work as health services coordinators and facility support supervisors in hospitals and health centres.
Where these fields lead
8 careers- Dental CeramistHealth Sciences3Low exposure
- Occupational Therapist AssistantHealth Sciences3Low exposure
- PsychologyHealth Sciences3Low exposure
- Dental ProsthetistHealth Sciences4Low exposure
- Dental Laboratory TechnicianHealth Sciences5Low exposure
- General DentistHealth Sciences5Low exposure
- Veterinary PathologistHealth Sciences5Low exposure
- Community Health NurseHealth Sciences6Low exposure
Certifications
Industry links
Common misconceptions
Health services support is just cleaning and porter work.
Diploma-level roles involve coordination, management support, quality assurance, and infection control.
There is no career progression from health services support.
Graduates can progress to health management and public health degree programmes.
Health support staff are not important in healthcare.
Support staff are essential for efficient facility operations and quality patient care.
Diploma-level support staff cannot find employment.
Hospitals and health centres employ diploma-level staff for coordination and supervisory support roles.