Certificate IV in Mental Health

This qualification covers workers who provide a range of community services focusing on:

Rehabilitation and support for people affected by mental illness and psychiatric disability

Implementing community based activities focusing on mental health, mental illness and psychiatric disability, and

Mental health promotion work.

Work may focus on engaging people with mental illness in community participation, prevention of relapse and promotion of recovery through programs such as residential rehabilitation, work in clinical settings, home based outreach and centre-based programs delivered by community based non-government organisations. This work may also involve supported employment and programmed respite care.

This qualification:

Defines the knowledge and skills required by support workers and case workers who work autonomously under broad guidance

Refers to specific knowledge of mental health issues and appropriate intervention processes applied in residential and community based settings.

Occupational titles may include:

Community rehabilitation and support worker

Mental health rehabilitation support worker

Community support worker

Mental health support worker

Mental health outreach worker


Subjects

PACKAGING RULES

15 units are required for award of this qualification including:

10 core units

5 elective units

A wide range of elective units is available, including:

Group A electives of which one unit must be selected for this qualification

Other relevant electives listed below

Units of competency to address workplace requirements and packaged at the level of this qualification or higher in Community Services and/or Health Training Packages

Where appropriate, to address workplace requirements, up to 3 units of competency packaged at this level or higher in other relevant Training Packages or accredited courses where the details of those courses are available on the NTIS or other public listing

Core units

add topic CHCAOD402B Work effectively in the alcohol and other drugs sector

add topic CHCCS400B Work within a relevant legal and ethical framework

add topic CHCMH401A Work effectively in mental health settings

add topic CHCMH402A Apply understanding of mental health issues and recovery processes

add topic CHCMH403A Establish and maintain communication and relationships to support the recovery process

add topic CHCMH404A Conduct assessment and planning as part of the recovery process

add topic CHCMH405A Work collaboratively to support recovery process

add topic HLTHIR403C Work effectively with culturally diverse clients and co-workers

add topic HLTHIR404D Work effectively with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people

add topic HLTOHS300B Contribute to OHS processes

Group A electives - one unit must be selected for this qualification

One of the following units must be selected for this qualification.

add topic CHCCS514A Recognise and respond to individuals at risk

add topic CHCCS521A Assess and respond to individuals at risk of suicide

The importance of culturally aware and respectful practice

All workers undertaking mental health work need foundation knowledge to inform their work with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and co-workers and with clients and co-workers from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. This foundation must be provided and assessed as part of a holistic approach to delivery and assessment of this qualification. Specific guidelines for assessment of this aspect of competency are provided in the Assessment Guidelines for the Community Services Training Package.

Other relevant electives

Electives are to be selected in line with specified Packaging Rules. The following grouping of relevant electives is provided to facilitate selection and does not necessarily reflect workplace requirements. Electives may be selected from one or more groups. Employers may specify that certain electives are required to address specific workplace needs.

Alcohol and other drugs work

add topic CHCAOD408A Assess needs of clients with alcohol and/or other drugs issues

add topic CHCAOD409D Provide alcohol and/or other drug withdrawal services

add topic CHCAOD411A Provide interventions for people with alcohol and other drug issues

Addressing complex needs

add topic CHCAOD510A Work effectively with clients with complex alcohol and/or other drugs issues

add topic CHCCS401B Facilitate responsible behaviour

add topic CHCCS416A Assess and provide services for clients with complex needs

add topic CHCCS504A Provide services to clients with complex needs

add topic CHCLLN403A Identify clients with language, literacy and numeracy needs and respond effectively

add topic CHCMH408B Provide interventions to meet the needs of consumers with mental health and AOD issues

add topic CHCMH411A Work with people with mental health issues

add topic CHCORG428A Reflect on and improve own professional practice

Work in residential settings

add topic CHCCS305B Assist clients with medication (Note pre-requisite HLTAP301B )

add topic CHCCS419B Provide support services to clients

add topic HLTAP301B Recognise healthy body systems in a health care context

add topic HLTCSD306C Respond effectively to difficult or challenging behaviour

Outreach and home based work

add topic CHCAD401D Advocate for clients

add topic CHCCH410A Manage and maintain tenancy agreements and services

add topic CHCCH427A Work effectively with people experiencing or at risk of homelessness

add topic CHCCH427A Work effectively with people experiencing or at risk of homelessness

add topic CHCCH522A Undertake outreach work

add topic CHCCS403B Provide brief intervention

add topic CHCDIS301B Work effectively with people with a disability

add topic CHCDIS410A Facilitate community participation and inclusion

add topic CHCICS406A Support client self management

add topic CHCICS407A Support positive lifestyle

add topic HLTRAH302B Undertake home visits

Group and community based work

add topic CHCCD402A Develop and provide community education projects

add topic CHCCD404D Develop and implement community programs

add topic CHCCD420A Work to empower Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities

add topic CHCCS414A Provide education and support on parenting, health and well being

add topic CHCCS421A Undertake community sector work within own community

add topic CHCICS405A Facilitate groups for individual outcomes

add topic CHCNET404A Facilitate links with other services

add topic CHCPROM401B Share health information

add topic CHCPROM502B Implement health promotion and community intervention

add topic CHCPROM503A Provide community focused promotion and prevention strategies

Working with children, youth and families

add topic CHCCHILD404A Support the rights and safety of children and young people

add topic CHCCS414A Provide education and support on parenting, health and well being

add topic CHCRF402B Provide intervention support to children and families

add topic CHCYTH511B Work effectively with young people and their families

Working with families and carers

add topic CHCCS417A Provide support and care relating to suicide bereavement

add topic CHCCS426A Provide support and care relating to loss and grief

add topic CHCMH409A Facilitate consumer, family and carer participation in the recovery process

Service coordination

add topic CHCCOM403A Use targeted communication skills to build relationships

add topic CHCCS503A Develop, implement and review services and programs to meet client needs

add topic CHCORG406B Supervise work

add topic CHCORG423B Maintain quality service delivery

add topic CHCORG428A Reflect on and improve own professional practice

add topic CHCPOL404A Undertake policy review

First aid

Note: one, two or three first aid units may be required, depending on work role

add topic HLTFA301C Apply first aid

add topic HLTFA302B Provide first aid in remote situation (Note pre-requisite: HLTFA301C )

add topic HLTFA402C Apply advanced first aid (Note pre-requisite: HLTFA301C )

Administration and organisational support

add topic BSBINM201A Process and maintain workplace information

add topic CHCCH426B Support client participation in the organisation

add topic CHCNET402A Establish and maintain effective networks

add topic CHCORG405D Maintain an effective work environment

Financial literacy education electives

add topic CHCFLE301A Work with clients needing financial literacy education

add topic CHCFLE302A Educate clients in fundamental financial literacy skills

add topic CHCFLE303A Educate clients to understand debt and consumer credit

Settlement work electives

add topic CHCSW401A Work effectively with forced migrants

add topic CHCSW402A Undertake bicultural work with forced migrants in Australia

Oral health

add topic CHCOHC303A Use basic oral health screening tools

add topic CHCOHC401A Inform and encourage clients and groups to understand and achieve good oral health

add topic CHCOHC402A Support and encourage clients and groups to learn practical aspects of oral health care

add topic CHCOHC404A Recognise and respond to signs and symptoms that may indicate oral health issues


Pathways...

    Not Applicable


Entry Requirements

Not Applicable


Licensing Information

Not Applicable


Employability Skills

Refer to the Topic: Introduction to the Employability Skills Qualification Summaries