Certificate II in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care

This qualification covers workers who undertake a range of tasks under direct supervision to support the provision of health care services to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients. This qualification is suited to Australian Apprenticeship pathways.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health work is an emerging area of work and occupational titles for those working in this area vary according to jurisdictional and workplace requirements.

At this level, workers may be trainee Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health workers, working as assistants in a rural or urban environment, or they may deliver limited health care services to clients living in communities that are isolated from mainstream health services.

Recognition

This qualification is intended to:

Support the recognition of basic levels of skill and knowledge held by Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people undertaking health-related work in community contexts.

Recognise competence for those who choose to exit at Certificate II due to constraints such as literacy/numeracy.

The Certificate II qualification is a means for encouraging the early development of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health workers as it:

provides an entry point for workers with limited English literacy and numeracy

provides guidance for trainers and employers preparing people for a range of work roles in Primary Health Care working with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities (i.e. as a 'pre-vocational' qualification)

is suitable for delivery through VET in Schools programs

However, the Certificate II qualification may not have work outcomes in all jurisdictions.

Literacy/numeracy requirements

At Certificate II level, English literacy/numeracy requirements may be minimal if there are in place workplace communication systems and/or tools that allow Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander workers to communicate effectively with mainstream workers as well as with the communities they service.

To be assessed as competent at this level, workers may demonstrate their communication skills by effective use of workplace communication systems and tools.

Assessment methods must reflect the actual skills and knowledge defined in each unit of competency. Assessment tasks involving literacy and numeracy must only be used in so far as the same level of literacy/numeracy is required to perform the function being assessed.

Work application

To be assessed as competent in this qualification, individual workers need to undertake supervised work placements and/or simulated practical application of skills and knowledge. Individuals must demonstrate consistency of performance over time to achieve competency outcomes.

The importance of culturally aware and respectful practice

All workers undertaking work in health 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 Health Training Package.


Subjects

PACKAGING RULES

11 units of competency are required for award of this qualification, including:

8 core units

3 elective units A wide range of elective units is available, including:

Relevant electives listed below

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

Where appropriate, to address workplace requirements, up to 2 units of competency packaged at the level of this qualification or higher in other relevant Training Packages

Core units

add topic BSBINM201A Process and maintain workplace information

add topic CHCCOM201C Communicate with people accessing the services of the organisation

add topic HLTAHW201B Work with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients

add topic HLTAHW202B Support clients to obtain access to health services

add topic HLTFA301C Apply first aid

add topic HLTHIR301B Communicate and work effectively in health

add topic HLTIN301C Comply with infection control policies and procedures

add topic HLTOHS200B Participate in OHS processes

Relevant electives

add topic BSBADM101A Use business equipment and resources

add topic BSBCMM201A Communicate in the workplace

add topic BSBITU101A Operate a personal computer

add topic BSBWOR202A Organise and complete daily work activities

add topic CHCCHILD401A Identify and respond to children and young people at risk

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

add topic HLTAHW203B Provide basic health information to clients

add topic HLTCSD208C Transport clients

add topic HLTRAH301C Undertake visits to remote communities

add topic SIRPDIS001A Accept prescriptions and deliver medicine


Pathways...

    Not Applicable


Entry Requirements

Not Applicable


Licensing Information

Not Applicable


Employability Skills

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