This course would suit students interested in a career in the Health Industry. Allied Health professions include, but are not limited to: physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech pathology and dietetics. The Allied Health Team provides multidisciplinary support in private practice, hospitals and aged care facilities. Working as an allied health assistant includes preparing for and assisting with therapy sessions, providing relevant information to clients, using therapy equipment correctly and safely, and completing administrative duties.
Certificate III qualifications are recognised entry-level for employment in the Health industry, so students could work part-time in the health sector while undertaking further study in this area. Students may also wish to complete this course for general interest.
Employment opportunities for Allied Health Assistants include assisting physiotherapists in private or public practise, working with speech therapists to deliver programs to hospitalised patients, supporting children in outpatient clinics to develop strength after accidents, medical imaging, aged care residences as an assistant to an exercise physiologist in hydrotherapy- pool based exercise.
A minimum of three COVID-19 vaccinations and the annual ‘flu vaccination are required to work in the Health Industry. Students need to meet all NSW Health Order vaccination requirements to undertake Work Placement or an SBAT in the Health Industry. Work Placement is mandatory for all Human Services courses to provide credit towards the HSC. You will need to provide evidence that your current vaccination status meets all necessary NSW Health vaccinations requirements to begin studies in this course.
Qualification
HLT33015 – Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance
- Satisfactory completion of all units of work available in 240 hour course is required to be eligible for this qualification.
Course Duration/Hours
The following pattern of study are possible (availability will be confirmed by the school):
- 240 hour course over 2 years
Note: There is no 120 hour course available in the Human Services course.
HSC Information
This is a Board Developed Course, Category B. Students who complete a minimum of 240 hour course may sit for the optional HSC exam. Mandatory units of competency from the list below are examined.
One Category B course (2 units) may be counted towards the calculation of the ATAR for university entrance. Students not wishing to achieve an ATAR need not sit the HSC examination.
Work Placement
NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA) requires students to complete a minimum of 80 hours of work placement, usually undertaken as 2 x 1 week blocks. Work placement is a mandatory component of the course and must be completed prior to the student’s last HSC exam. Students need to be sure which stream they are undertaking (Allied or Acute) prior to going on placement.
Students must be 16 prior to undertaking work placement as they will be in a work environment with vulnerable people and duty of care requires a substantial level of maturity. Therefore, students need to have their 16th birthday before 30 June in the first year of the course.
Days worked as part of a School Based Apprenticeship or Traineeship generally satisfy this NESA requirementt.
COVID-19 Vaccination is required to work in the Education Industry. Students need to meet NSW Health Orders vaccination requirements to undertake work placement or an SBAT.
Assessment
This course is competency based and the student’s performance is recognised against a prescribed industry standard. Assessment strategies may include:
- Observation
- Student demonstration
- Questioning
- Written tasks
- Tests
Students are given a number of opportunities to demonstrate competence across the range of competency standards covered by this course.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
You may be entitled to apply for Recognition of Prior Learning. If you have completed any training, either through your part-time work, TAFE or other school VET courses you have completed recently, or through experience gained in other ways you can apply for RPL. You should talk to your School VET Coordinator, Careers Adviser or course teacher for further information.
Costs
A course fee is generally charged by schools to cover consumable materials. Your school will provide further advice.
Units of Competency
HSC Allied Health
To be eligible for HLT33015 you must successfully complete: 11 units: 8 core, 3 electives (max 1 other). The 240 hour course includes the following units of competency:
Preliminary
- HLTWHS001 Participate in workplace health and safety (Core)[Mandatory for exam]
- HLTINF001 Comply with infection prevention and control policies and procedures [Mandatory for exam]
- HLTAHA001 Assist with an allied health program
- HLTAAP001 Recognise health body systems (Core) [Mandatory for exam]
- HLTAID003 Provide first aid [Mandatory for exam]
HSC
- CHCDIV001 Work with diverse people (Core) [Mandatory for exam]
- CHCCOM005 Communicate and work in health or community services (Core) [Mandatory for exam]
- CHCCCS010 Maintain a high standard of service
- CHCCCS026 Transport individuals (Acute Care elective)
- BSBMED301 Interpret and apply medical terminology appropriately (Core) [Mandatory for exam]
- BSBWOR301 Organise personal work priorities and development (Core) [Mandatory for exam]
- BSBMED303 Maintain patient records (imported elective)
- HLTAIN002 Provide non-client contact support in an acute care environment (Acute Care elective)
- CHCCCS020 Respond effectively to behaviours of concern (Acute Care elective)
Further Study
- Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance
- Certificate IV in Aged Care
- Diploma in Nursing
- Bachelor of Nursing
Career Information
Job Roles
Allied Healthcare Assistants may be involved in:
- Evaluating the medical history and the movement and functional abilities of new patients
- Developing treatment plans based on medical diagnoses and prescriptions
- Providing patients with massage therapy to relieve soft tissue pain
- Mobilising and manipulating muscles and joints
- Providing treatment using physiotherapy and rehabilitation equipment (e.g. laser therapy, electrotherapy)
- Giving patients exercises designed to strengthen and increase their motor abilities
- Showing patients exercises that they can perform on their own at home (and correcting any incorrect posture / movements)
- Motivating patients to develop their strength and perform exercises by themselves without supervision
- Helping patients and their families cope with the recovery process
- Keeping updated patient records detailing all therapy provided (i.e. treatment and results)
- Adjusting plans and prescribing new treatment, where necessaryCarry out activities to maintain personal care and/or other activities of living for people in an aged care setting
- Carrying out activities related to an individualised plan
- Reporting directly to a supervisor and are not responsible for other workers.
Duties and Tasks
Allied Healthcare Assistants may perform the following tasks:
- Assist with initial and ongoing health assessments and the maintenance of patients’ health
- Observe, measure and record patients’ conditions (their temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure and blood sugar levels, for example)
- Report changes in patients’ conditions
- Attend to patients’ hygiene and comfort by assisting with bathing, showering, dressing and bed-making
- Assist patients with meals when required
- Assist patients with rehabilitation exercises and programmes
- Assist in the care of wounds
- Assist in emergency situations
- Assist in providing education on health and lifestyle issues
- Maintain a safe environment for patients and assist with the prevention of injuries.
Personal Attributes
- Good communication skills
- Tolerant, patient and tactful when dealing with people of different backgrounds, ages and cultures
- Ability to follow instructions precisely
- Ability to work as part of a multidisciplinary team
- Ability to cope with the physical and psychological demands of the job
- Ability to solve problems and make decisions
For further information: http://www.myskills.gov.au/
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