Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance

This qualification covers workers who provide therapeutic and program related support to allied health professionals. The worker is required to conduct therapeutic and program related activities under the guidance of an allied health professional. Supervision may be direct, indirect or remote and must occur within organisation requirements. The worker is required to identify client circumstances that need additional input from the allied health professional.

This qualification is suited to Australian Apprenticeship pathways.

Occupational titles for these workers may include:

Therapy assistant

Podiatry assistant

Physiotherapy assistant

Speech pathology assistant

Occupational therapy assistant

Allied health assistant

Nutrition assistant

Dietetic assistant

Community rehabilitation assistant


Subjects

PACKAGING RULES

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

4 core units

11 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 qualification tailored to address specific workplace requirements

Elective units are to be packaged as follows:

Group A - Allied health electives For award of this qualification (either generic or tailored) a minimum of 5 electives must be selected from Group A Allied Health electives Note that Group A includes Groups B, C D, E, F and G

Groups B to G - electives for allied health assistance specialisations For award of a tailored qualification, to address specific requirements for work in physiotherapy, podiatry, occupational therapy, speech pathology, community rehabilitation or nutrition and dietetics, electives must be selected as specified below from the elective group listed for that area of work

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

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 3 units of competency packaged at the level of this qualification or higher in other relevant Training Packages

Core units

add topic HLTHIR402C Contribute to organisational effectiveness in the health industry

add topic HLTHIR506C Implement and monitor compliance with legal and ethical requirements

add topic HLTIN403C Implement and monitor infection control policy and procedures (Note pre-requ: HLTIN301C )

add topic HLTOHS300B Contribute to OHS processes

Relevant electives

Electives are to be selected in line with the specified Packaging Rules. Workplaces may package electives to reflect the functions of workers. Relevant units of competency have been identified and grouped to facilitate selection.

Electives must be selected as follows:

At least 5 electives must be selected from Group A - Allied health electives.

For award of a qualification with a specialisation units must be selected in line with requirements outlined below for the particular area of specialisation

For award of the qualification without a specialisation, electives may be selected from all electives listed as Group A Allied Health electives

Group A includes Groups B-G and 'Other Group A allied health electives'

Further electives are to be selected in line with the Packaging Rules to a total of 11 electives.

Electives required for allied health assistance specialisations

Six industry sectors have identified specific electives required for allied health assistance specialisations.

Where units are achieved as required for the specialisation, this is to be clearly articulated on the transcript (certification) as per the following example:

"This qualification includes Group B electives as required for Physiotherapy"

Group B electives - all 3 electives are required for the Physiotherapy specialisation

Group C electives - all 4 electives are required for the Podiatry specialisation

Group D electives - all 4 electives are required for the Occupational Therapy specialisation

Group E electives - all 3 electives are required for the Speech Pathology specialisation

Group F electives - all 3 electives are required for the Community Rehabilitation specialisation

Group G electives - 2 electives from Group H are required for the Nutrition and Dietetics specialisation

Group A - ALLIED HEALTH ELECTIVES

Group B electives - all required for PHYSIOTHERAPY specialisation

add topic HLTAH401B Deliver and monitor a client-specific exercise program (Note pre-requs: HLTAP301B , HLTCSD305C , HLTAH301B )

add topic HLTAH402B Assist with physiotherapy treatments and interventions (Note pre-requs: HLTAP301B , HLTCSD305C , HLTAH301B )

add topic HLTAH403B Deliver and monitor exercise program for mobility (Note pre-requs: HLTAP301B , HLTCSD305C , HLTAH301B )

Group C electives - all required for PODIATRY specialisation

add topic HLTAH404B Assist with basic foot hygiene (Note pre-requs: HLTAP301B , HLTCSD305C , HLTAH301B , HLTIN302B )

add topic HLTAH405B Assist with podiatric procedures (Note pre-requs: HLTAP301B , HLTCSD305C , HLTAH301B , HLTIN302B )

add topic HLTAH406B Assist with podiatry assessment and exercise (Note pre-requs: HLTAP301B , HLTCSD305C , HLTAH301B )

add topic HLTIN302B Process reusable instruments and equipment in health work (Note pre-requ: HLTIN301C )

Group D electives - all required for OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY specialisation

add topic HLTAH407B Assist with the rehabilitation of clients

add topic HLTAH408B Assist with the development and maintenance of client functional status

add topic HLTAH409B Conduct group sessions for individual client outcomes

add topic LTAH414B Support the fitting of assistive devices

Group E electives - all required for SPEECH PATHOLOGY specialisation

add topic HLTAH410B Support the development of speech and communication skills (Note pre-requ: HLTAH301B )

add topic HLTAH411B Provide support in dysphagia management (Note pre-requs: HLTAH301B , HLTAH410B )

add topic HLTAH412B Assist and support the use of augmentative and alternative communication systems (Note pre-requs: HLTAH301B , HLTAH410B )

Group F electives - all required for Community rehabilitation specialisation

add topic HLTCR401B Work effectively in community rehabilitation

add topic HLTCR402B Support client daily living requirements in a community rehabilitation context

add topic HLTCR403B Support community access and participation

Group G electives - 2 required for NUTRITION and DIETETICS specialisation

Two electives must be selected from the following three to address requirements for the Nutrition and Dietetics mandatory elective group.

add topic HLTAH415B Assist with the screening of dietary requirements and special diets (Note pre-requs: HLTNA301C , HLTNA302C , HLTNA303C , HLTNA304C , HLTNA305C , HLTFS207C )

add topic HLTAH409B Conduct group sessions for individual client outcomes

add topic HLTAH420B Support the provision of basic nutrition advice/education (Note pre-requs: HLTNA301C , HLTNA302C , HLTNA303C , HLTNA304C , HLTFS207C )

Please note - Pre-requisite units for Nutrition and Dietetics Group G electives below

The following units (from the Certificate III in Nutrition and Dietetic Support) are pre-requisites for units listed as Group G electives for Nutrition and Dietetics (above) and as such must be completed.

add topic HLTNA301C Provide assistance to nutrition and dietetic services

add topic HLTNA302C Plan and evaluate meals and menus to meet recommended dietary guidelines

add topic HLTNA303C Plan and modify meals and menus according to nutrition care plans

add topic HLTNA304C Plan meals and menus to meet cultural and religious needs

add topic HLTNA305C Support food services in menu and meal order processing

add topic HLTFS207C Follow basic food safety practices

Other allied health electives

add topic HLTAH302C Assist with the application and removal of a plaster cast

add topic HLTAH413B Deliver and monitor a hydrotherapy program (Note pre-requ: HLTFA301C )

add topic HLTAH414B Support the fitting of assistive devices

add topic HLTAH416B Support special diet requirements (Note pre-requs: HLTNA301C , HLTNA302C , HLTNA303C , HLTNA304C , HLTNA305C , HLTFS207C )

add topic HLTIN302B Process reusable instruments and equipment in health work (Note pre-requ: HLTIN301C )

Other relevant electives

Group H 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

Below are additional units of competency that may be selected as electives, grouped to facilitate selection. Electives may be selected from one or more groups.

Client support

add topic CHCCM401D Undertake case management

add topic CHCCS401B Facilitate responsible behaviour

add topic CHCCS427A Facilitate adult learning and development

add topic HLTAH302C Assist with the application and removal of a plaster cast

add topic HLTCOM301C Provide specific information to clients

add topic HLTCSD306C Respond effectively to difficult or challenging behaviour

add topic HLTRAH301C Undertake visits to remote communities

First aid

add topic HLTCPR201B Perform CPR

add topic HLTFA201B Provide basic emergency life support

add topic HLTFA301C Apply first aid

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

Client care

add topic CHCAC317A Support older people to maintain their independence

add topic CHCAC318B Work effectively with older people

add topic CHCAC319A Provide support to people living with dementia

add topic CHCCN305B Provide care for babies

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

add topic CHCDIS301B Work effectively with people with a disability

add topic CHCHC311B Work effectively in home and community care

add topic CHCIC301E Interact effectively with children

add topic CHCICS302A Participate in the implementation of individualised plans

add topic CHCMH301B Work effectively in mental health

or

add topic CHCMH411A Work with people with mental health issues

add topic CHCRF301E Work effectively with families to care for the child

add topic HLTRAH302B Undertake home visits

add topic SRCAQU007B Respond to an aquatic emergency using advanced water rescue techniques

add topic SRCAQU008B Apply the principles of movement in water to aquatic activities

add topic SRCAQU009B Instruct water familiarisation, buoyancy and mobility skills

add topic SRCAQU012B Foster the motor, cognitive and personal development of infants and toddlers in an aquatic environment

add topic SRCAQU014B Assist participants with a disability during aquatic activities

add topic SRCCRO009B Conduct a recreation program for older persons

add topic SRCCRO010B Conduct a recreation program for people with a disability

add topic SRFFIT004B Develop basic fitness programs

add topic SRFFIT005B Apply basic exercise science to exercise instruction

add topic SRFFIT007B Undertake relevant exercise planning and programming

add topic TAEDEL401A Plan, organise and deliver group-based learning

Performance

add topic BSBAUD402B Participate in a quality audit

add topic BSBINN301A Promote innovation in a team environment

add topic BSBMGT403A Implement continuous improvement

add topic BSBWOR401A Establish effective workplace relationships

add topic BSBWOR502B Ensure team effectiveness

add topic CHCPOL403B Undertake research activities

add topic HLTAMBPD401C Manage personal stressors in the work environment

Administration

add topic BSBINM301A Organise workplace information

add topic BSBMED401B Manage patient record keeping system

add topic HLTCOM405C Administer a practice

add topic HLTCOM407B Provide reception services for a practice

add topic HLTCOM503C Manage a practice

Medical imaging assistance

add topic HLTMI301A Contribute to client flow and client information management in medical imaging

add topic HLTMI302A Support the medical imaging professional

Oral health electives

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 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

add topic CHCOHC406A Provide or assist with oral hygiene (Note pre-requ: HLTIN301C or CHCOHS312B )

add topic CHCOHC407A Apply and manage use of basic oral health products


Pathways...

    Not Applicable


Entry Requirements

Entry requirements

The following units of competency should be either achieved before this qualification or must be undertaken as part of the qualification:

BSBMED301B Interpret and apply medical terminology appropriately

HLTAH301B Assist with an allied health program

HLTAP301B Recognise healthy body systems in a health care context

HLTCSD201C Maintain high standard of client service

HLTCSD305C Assist with client movement

HLTHIR301B Communicate and work effectively in health

HLTIN301C Comply with infection control policies and procedures

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.


Licensing Information

Not Applicable


Employability Skills

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