Certificate III in Health Services Assistance

Admission requirements

You are eligible if:

* you have successfully completed the Australian year 12 including passes in mathematics and biology, or equivalent in your country
* you have achieved a minimum of either:

- IELTS 6.0 academic (no band score less than 5.5) or
- TOEFL paper based 550 (minimum TWE 4.0) or
- TOEFL computer based 213 (minimum TWE 4.0) or
- TOEFL internet based 79 (minimum 19 in all sections).

Intake

February and July

Books and equipment (AUD)

Supplied through the materials fees, however students will be required to supply their own personal stationery.

Material fees (AUD)

$85

Students will be supplied with uniform, manual, learning resources and workbook.

Study pathways

On completion of the Certificate III graduates may continue their study in:

* Certificate III in Aged Care (05358G) at Kangan Institute
* Diploma of Nursing (Enrolled nursing) (071146E) at Kangan Institute
* Certificate IV in Pathology Specimen Collection (071393A) at Kangan Institute.

Career pathways

On completion of the Certificate III, graduates may seek employment as:

- Patient services assistance
- Orderly
- Ward support person.

Course structure

Special note: This course has a clinical component and prior to undertaking the placements all students must obtain a Victorian Police Check, a Working With Children clearance (WWC) and prescribed vaccinations. Students will be responsible for the costs associated with requirements. If placements are undertaken outside metropolitan Melbourne any accommodation costs that may be incurred will be the responsibility of the student.

This qualification covers workers in a range of work roles who provide assistance to health professional staff with the care of clients. Health services assistance involves the worker in direct client contact under supervision. This course provides training for work that demands discretion and judgement in client- patient support services. Typically this is within a hospital or residential care facility. You will learn about team leadership and workplace training.

The Certificate III consists of 17 units. In a typical week students will attend classes approximately three days per week with approximately 70 percent theory and 30 percent coursework practical placement. Classes will be scheduled between 8.30am and 5.30pm, Monday to Friday.

The teaching methods used include lectures, class discussions, flexible delivery and group work. The assessment methods include assignments, class poster presentations, reports, skills assessment, work sheets and coursework practical placement.

Units

Contribute to effective workplace relationships
Use basic medical terminology
Recognise healthy body systems in a health care context
Communicate and work effectively in health
Comply with infection control policies and procedures in health work
Participate in occupational health and safety processes
Maintain high standard of client service
Prepare and maintain beds
Transport clients
Support the care of clients
Assist with client movement
Respond effectively to difficult or challenging behaviour
Provide basic emergency life support
Provide ward or unit based food preparation and distribution services
Perform general cleaning tasks in a clinical setting
Handle medical gases safely
Follow workplace hygiene procedures