Certificate III in Health Services Assistance

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 qualification has been structured with elective groups for specific work functions in operating theatre support and assisting in nursing work in acute care. In addition the qualification supports multiskilling requirements of smaller and rural/remote work settings.

This qualification is suited to Australian Apprenticeship pathways.

Occupational titles may include:

Assistant in nursing

Orderly

Nursing assistant

Operating theatre technician

Nursing support worker

Theatre support

Patient service attendant

Ward assistant

Patient support assistant

Wardsperson

Patient care assistant

Ward support


Subjects

PACKAGING RULES

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

6 core units

9 elective units

A wide range of electives is available and can be packaged to provide either:

a generic qualification that covers a range of work functions, or

a targeted qualification as required for specific work roles

Elective units may be selected from:

Group A electives which are required for operating theatre technician work

Group B electives which are recommended for assisting in nursing work in acute care

Group C electives which are required for a more 'generic' qualification to address all other relevant work functions

Group D electives which are recommended for culturally aware and respectful practice

Other 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

continued ...

PACKAGING RULES (contd)

Elective units may be selected from:

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

Core units

add topic BSBFLM303C Contribute to effective workplace relationships

add topic BSBMED301B Interpret and apply medical terminology appropriately

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

add topic HLTHIR301C Communicate and work effectively in health

add topic HLTIN301C Comply with infection control policies and procedures

add topic HLTWHS200A Participate in WHS processes

Relevant electives

HLT32507 Certificate III in Health Services Assistance enables workplaces to select a range of electives that reflect the functions of workers (occupational titles may vary from workplace to workplace). In addition to the core units listed above, there are certain requirements and recommendations applying to the selection of electives.

Group A electives - required for operating theatre technician work

The following four units of competency are required for operating theatre technician work:

add topic HLTTH301D Provide theatre support services

add topic HLTTH302D Provide equipment support in an acute care environment

add topic HLTTH303D Identify and move to maintain a sterile field

(Note pre-requ: add topic HLTIN301C )

add topic HLTTH405D Assist with preparation of clients for operative procedures

(Note pre-requ: add topic HLTAP401B )

Group B electives - recommended for assisting in nursing work in acute care

The following six units of competency are recommended for assisting in nursing work in acute care

add topic HLTCSD305D Assist with client movement

add topic HLTCSD306D Respond effectively to behaviours of concern

add topic HLTCSD208D Transport clients

add topic HLTAIN301C Assist nursing team in an acute care environment

(Note pre-requs: add topic HLTAP301B , HLTFA311A )

add topic HLTAIN302C Provide support in an acute care environment

add topic HLTCSD201D Maintain high standard of client service

Where one of these specified elective groups is achieved, this is to be clearly articulated on the transcript (certification) as:

"This qualification includes Group A electives required for operating theatre technician work"

or

"This qualification includes Group B electives recommended for assisting in nursing work in acute care"

Group C electives - required for a more 'generic' qualification to address other relevant work functions

The following four units of competency are required for award of the qualification add topic HLT32507C ertificate III in Health Services Assistance as it applies to all other work functions.

add topic HLTCSD201D Maintain high standard of client service

add topic HLTCSD304D Support the care of clients

add topic HLTCSD305D Assist with client movement

add topic HLTCSD208D Transport clients

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.

Group D electives - recommended for culturally aware and respectful practice

Where work involves a specific focus on Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander and/or culturally diverse clients or communities, one or both of the following electives is recommended:

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

Other relevant electives

In addition to the core units and elective groups listed above, other elective units of competency are to be selected in line with the Packaging Rules.

Please note that:

Below is a sample of units of competency that may be selected as electives.

The grouping of these sample electives is intended to facilitate selection. Electives may be selected from one or more groups.

Employers may specify that certain elective units of competency are essential to address specific workplace needs.

Work relationships

add topic BSBFLM312C Contribute to team effectiveness

add topic BSBINN301A Promote innovation in a team environment

add topic BSBWOR301B Organise personal work priorities and development

add topic CHCCS401C Facilitate responsible behaviour

add topic HLTAMBFC301D Communicate with clients and colleagues to support health care

add topic HLTCSD306D Respond effectively to behaviours of concern

Client care

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

add topic CHCAOD406D Work with clients who are intoxicated

add topic CHCMH301B Work effectively in mental health

or

add topic CHCMH411A Work with people with mental health issues

add topic CHCOHC303A Use basic oral health screening tools

add topic HLTCOM406C Make referrals to other health care professionals when appropriate

add topic HLTCSD201D Maintain high standard of client service

add topic HLTCSD203D Prepare and maintain beds

add topic HLTCSD302D Assist with lifestyle and social support needs

add topic HLTCSD304D Support the care of clients

add topic HLTCSD305D Assist with client movement

add topic HLTCSD307D Care for the home environment of clients

Transport

add topic HLTAMBT301B Transport non-emergency clients under operational conditions

add topic HLTCSD208D Transport clients

Operating theatre support

add topic HLTSTE301D Clean reusable medical equipment (Note pre-requ: HLTIN301C )

add topic HLTTH301D Provide theatre support services

add topic HLTTH302D Provide equipment support in an acute care environment

add topic HLTTH303D Identify and move to maintain a sterile field

(Note pre-requ: add topic HLTIN301C )

Medical imaging assistance

add topic HLTMI301B Contribute to client flow and client information management in medical imaging

add topic HLTMI302B Support the medical imaging professional

Mortuary practice

add topic HLTMT303D Maintain a mortuary service

add topic HLTMT304D Assist with autopsy

add topic HLTMT305D Maintain and record tissue sample collection

add topic HLTMT310D Collect, preserve and store post mortem samples

add topic HLTSTE301D Clean reusable medical equipment (Note pre-requ: HLTIN301C )

Miscellaneous support

add topic HLTMS204D Handle and move equipment, goods, mail and furniture

add topic HLTMS207D Handle medical gases safely

add topic HLTMS208D Handle waste in a health care environment

add topic PRMCL22B Organise and monitor cleaning operations

First aid

add topic HLTCPR211A Perform CPR

add topic HLTFA211A Provide basic emergency life support

add topic HLTFA311A Apply first aid


Pathways...

    Not Applicable


Entry Requirements

Not Applicable


Licensing Information

Not Applicable


Employability Skills

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