Natural forms of healing are again coming into prominence. Increasingly, the public is becoming aware of health matters. More and more people are turning to all forms of traditional medicine, in particular, Herbal and Homoeopathic remedies.
The present trend is the outcome of frustration, both with the pervading state of ill health and the disenchantment with the side effects of modern orthodox medicine.
Becoming a practitioner of Herbal or Homoeopathic Medicine is not only one of the most rewarding occupations, but one for which there is an enormous and growing demand. Every day, the Registered Office receives many enquiries from those seeking a professional practitioner of either discipline and despite intensive training, requests exceed the number of available practitioners. There is a great market for the enterprising and caring practitioner.
The potential for the Herbal or Homoeopathic practitioner is not difficult to imagine. With chronic disease on the increase, daily newspaper reports of medical blunders, the long-term suffering of the afflicted, it is no wonder the public is searching for safer and more traditional ways, demanding natural remedies that do not create a host of side-effects, whilst merely suppressing or postponing the symptoms. The more practitioners that are available, the more aware are the patients.
We are all too familiar with ‘I wish I had known about you earlier’ and ‘may I recommend you to...’ - the best form of advertising. There are only a few thousand practitioners of natural forms of medicine in Great Britain. There are nearly 60 million people. A very small proportion of people will have a chance to visit and spend sufficient time with a therapist who works in a truly holistic manner. The more practitioners the IRCH trains, the stronger the tradition of Herbal and Homoeopathic medicine becomes.
Learning with the Faculty of Herbal Medicine and the Homoeopathic Foundation is through a combination of distance learning, seminars/workshops and practical clinical training and is organised in a series of graduated modules.The International Register of Consultant Herbalists and Homoeopaths provides the student of natural medicines with the means of study and comprehensive training which can be fitted into most people’s lives, while leading to a professional qualification and Diploma in Herbal or Homoeopathic Medicine with full membership of the IRCH. Because the IRCH is a non-profit making organisation, all costs have been kept down and through years of experience in teaching, methods of providing the highest quality of training have been developed. For the sincere student who is prepared to devote a portion of leisure time to study, the reward is not only in monitoring one's own state of health, but in helping the sick regain their sense of well-being.
The course is designed along traditional and holistic thinking, while acknowledging changes pertaining to the modern world. Whereas other organisations pride themselves on their scientific approach to Herbal Medicine, the IRCH makes no claims to scientific research as it wishes to retain its contact with empirical knowledge and seek only the most natural and proven ways of restoring a real sense of well-being. It is, therefore, not primarily concerned with aspects of disease, but the re-establishment of permanent health in each individual.
At present, there is no legislative process by which any one organisation teaching Herbal or Homoeopathic medicine is in the political forefront. Once qualified, all practitioners have equal standing under the present law. A practitioner is as good as the reputation put out by those who have regained their health. The status therefore, being equal, the IRCH is nevertheless committed to the highest possible standards, while continually updating and upgrading its course material.
However, in response to threats from Europe, the IRCH has combined forces with other prominent Herbal organisations and is an active member of the 'European Herbal Practitioners’ Association (EHPA), in order to defend our right to our traditions as laid down by the Medicines Act 1968. A demonstration of our unity and determination to succeed was clearly seen in November 1994 when three million people came out in support of Herbal Medicine, causing the government to do a U-turn by making an exemption to the licensing of non-industrially manufactured products.
The IRCH endeavours to combine the convenience of part-time home-study correspondence Modules with Seminars, Workshops, Field trips and Clinical training, which affords many opportunities for meeting with both tutors and other students.
Having a personal tutor is similar to having private tuition. All students are assigned a tutor who guides them through each Module, marking assignments and projects, commenting where necessary and answering any queries that may arise. While the teacher cannot actually do the assignments, he/she can show the students the best ways in which they can achieve their aims, providing encouragement where necessary. All personal tutors are well-established practising members.
The home-study part of the course work is designed to be as flexible as possible and is taught to a standard, not to a timetable; allowing students to work in their own free time and at their own pace, especially when juggling a job with a new career. The full programme, with no background knowledge, is estimated to last approximately four years with the student returning one assignment approximately every three to four weeks. However, there is no pressure to do so, as six full years are allowed for the completion of the course, with study breaks granted on reasonable application.
Part-time distance learning encourages the student to take some responsibility for his/her own learning process and provides tuition equal to that of other, less flexible, full-time courses. In this, the IRCH training programme closely follows the traditions of the Open University.
No previous experience or knowledge is required, as the course material is conveniently presented, comprehensive, with most learning carried out at any suitable location; a full reading list is provided to the student. The long experience in tuition is reflected in the well established members who have been in practice for many years.
There is no specific timetable and the student may begin studying at any time of the year with no pressure to take any examinations until ready to do so. Examinations take place annually, in October and may be taken singly or two at a time. After each successful pass, the student is awarded a Proficiency Certificate. On final examination and on completion of Clinical Training, together with a short Thesis/Project and Case Histories taken from among family and friends, the student is awarded the Diploma of Botano Therapy (DBTh) or the Diploma of Homoeopathy (DHoM). Following this, he/she may apply for full Membership of the IRCH in order to become a Registered Medical Herbalist or Homoeopath and entitled also to add the letters MIRCH after the name. A full practice licence includes an Insurance Certificate of Malpractice. In the first year of practice, the newly qualified practitioner is assigned a ‘mentor’ to whom he/she may turn for help and advice during that year.
With each Module, there is a booklist and this, in itself, is not an exhaustive list. Students are encouraged to read as much as possible around their subject and a further recommended list is available.
The Modules have been compiled by professional Naturopaths, Herbalists and Homoeopaths, who run successful practices and their teaching and personal level of support is the result of many years of experience in the healing of the sick. The coursework is subject to regular revision to keep in line with rising standards in professional training. It takes into account the student’s individuality; as well as learning about natural forms of medicine, the student is learning about him/herself.
Students, who have achieved an academic standard at O level, GCSE, A level or degree standard, may find learning easier than those with no academic training. However, whatever the background, the real qualities the IRCH is looking for, are a genuine interest in plants and people, a desire to help and a lot of enthusiasm. If you feel that you have the qualities of a caring person who genuinely wants to assist others to a better and more natural way of life, then this course and profession is for you.
A student may be exempt from any Module for which he/she has already studied to a satisfactory standard and for which he/she can produce suitable documentation, but not from the examination. Revision course material can be provided at 25% of total cost to assist with examinations. Past papers are available on request.
It is not only the Course
that is flexible, but the student’s future as a practitioner. Setting up
as a therapist is a very rewarding occupation and has all the advantages self-employment
offers. A qualified practitioner can decide to work full-time or part-time.
Either way, he/she may choose which days or hours would suit best. For example,
the therapist may prefer to work on a Saturday or in the mornings or evenings
only. An appointment system can be designed to suit any particular domestic
requirements.
In the case of a young family, it may be more convenient to see patients while
the children are at school. On the other hand, the newly qualified practitioner
may already have a daytime job and want to increase an income while establishing
a Clinic gradually, seeing only a few patients a week, to fit in with other
commitments.
Naturally, if the student wishes to make Herbal or Homoeopathic medicine his/her chosen career, it will be necessary to be available at the end of a phone line during working hours to give such a young practice the best opportunity of establishing itself and making it a success.
There is little more satisfaction in life than that of helping others, especially when helping them to regain their health. The IRCH has the long experience in being able to show how. Later on in the Course, the Module Practice Management will teach the student how to get started and what pitfalls to avoid.
The Modules are designed to suit both the aspiring practitioner who wishes to choose the professional path leading to a Diploma in Herbal or Homoeopathic Medicine and the person who wants to acquire knowledge about health matters, learn about our medicinal heritage through plants or Homoeopathic remedies and know more about the natural workings of his/her body without becoming a therapist. No examinations are required and seminars and Clinical Training are optional for home-study without intention to practice.
Whichever path is chosen, the tutors will guide the student through the different courses by marking assignments, making suitable comments and answering any queries that arise. The IRCH hopes that all students will enjoy their work and benefit personally in every way.
All members abide by a Code of Ethics ensuring the highest standards of integrity and service with ethical business practices, a professional attitude and commitment to both patients and fellow practitioners.
In October, the IRCH
holds an Annual Conference. A requirement for student training, with lectures
and workshops on relevant topics. All full Members are invited to this event,
providing an unique opportunity for both students and full Members to meet.
There are no rules on how to become a good practitioner. The desire to follow
a course of Natural Medicine demonstrates an interest in plants and natural
medicines; becoming a healer will bring out the caring, sensitive side of the
person. The IRCH is here to guide the keen student to a successful completion
of his/her ambitions.
With a course and tuition service as thorough and effective as this, the student has every opportunity of becoming a successful practitioner.
If there are any further questions regarding
the Course,
Please do not hesitate to contact the Registered Office during working hours
when a member of staff will be only too pleased to help.