Have you recently finished school and can’t decide what path is best-suited to you? Consider the Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) (CHC33015) as a starting point for a rewarding career in healthcare. Eventually, we all reach a point where we need to rely on the support of the people around us, and you can truly make a difference to peoples’ lives in this field.
Why Choose a Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) (CHC33015)?
If you’re not yet settled on a career plan, then healthcare could be a strong and stable choice. Not only is it an accessible industry, with numerous qualifications leading into varied roles, but there is also very strong growth potential on the horizon. With typically shorter completion times than many university degrees, you’ll be able to find a role, and start gaining valuable experience much sooner.
By qualifying as an aged care worker, you’ll also be choosing a stable industry that offers some of the strongest growth opportunities available. Recent research has suggested that in 2021, the number of Australians using home care services went up by more than 300%. In most countries across the world, the population is ageing, and the healthcare industry faces a unique challenge to employ and train new professionals who can support the care needs of adults who need help. At present, around a quarter of a million people are employed in the industry, but it’s predicted that four times as many will be needed by the year 2050.
Given the numerous accessible pathways into healthcare, such as a Certificate III, you can expect to make a good living. For example, Indeed.com places the average healthcare assistant salary at almost $60,000 annually. Compared to the tuition fee of the certificate, which is just $2,000, it’s a good investment in your future. You could even pay as little as $250 if you meet the eligibility requirements for government funding.
What to Expect
This certificate course prepares you for a role as an aged care worker in a community or residential setting. You'll learn to work with individual plans, providing person-centred care to older adults and/or those living with disabilities. To achieve this competency, you'll gain a breadth of knowledge and practical skills, including:
- Providing basic personal care to vulnerable people;
- Supporting with moving and handling of patients;
- Awareness of infection control and prevention best practices;
- Using your own judgement to provide individualised care and support for which you are responsible;
- Providing emotional support and companionship beyond a patient’s basic personal care needs, such as bathing and dressing;
- Assisting those under your care to participate in social activities and maintain their independence.
Course content is delivered through a combination of classroom and blended/online learning options. As well as offering a flexible learning program, the classroom component is necessary to ensure that you develop essential practical skills. Campuses are located in Blackburn, Narre Warren and Preston, and these practical sessions can take place in the day, evening or on weekends where required for our flexible learning students.
The course covers the following subjects, which give you additional insight into the knowledge that you’ll be acquiring throughout your studies:
- Facilitate the Empowerment of Older People
- Facilitate the Interests and Rights of Clients
- Coordinate Services for Older People
- Implement Interventions with Older People at Risk
- Provide Support to People Living with Dementia
- Facilitate Individual Service Planning and Delivery
- Meet Personal Support Needs
- Support Independence and Wellbeing
- Support Relationships with Carers and Families
- Work with Diverse People
- Manage Legal and Ethical Compliance
- Deliver Care Services Using a Palliative Approach
- Develop and Maintain Networks and Collaborative Partnerships
- Recognise Healthy Body Systems
- Follow Safe Work Practices for Direct Client Care
In addition to these core subjects, there are also units of competency in first aid, developing and implementing service programs, basic food safety practices, and infection prevention and control policies. All Health Training is an ideal place to gain your level III certificate, as we have simulated environments in which you'll complete your classroom practical experience and assessment so you go above and beyond industry standards, in addition to your industry work placement. All Health Training draws on trainers who have real, current industry experience and credentials in the aged care sector to best nurture skill development.
Entry Requirements
The Certificate III in Individual Support from All Health Training doesn’t require you to have any extensive experience or education. Our courses are highly accessible for everyone, including school graduates and career change individuals looking for career opportunities with strong growth opportunities. However, there are a few eligibility criteria that you’ll need to meet in order to be considered for the course:
- As literacy is essential for working with patients, we’ll ask you to complete a basic language, literacy and numeracy assessment as part of your application.
- We will also schedule a pre-training review to discuss your career goals and make sure that you’re suited to the course.
- You’ll need to be aged 18 or older to take part in practical work placements.
- Police checks will be carried out as part of your course fees. Unfortunately, anyone with a Disclosable Court Outcome won’t be able to work in clinical environments due to industry requirements.
- You'll need to obtain a volunteer Working with Children's check by the fourth week of the course.
- You'll also need to acquire a NDIS Working Screening Check by the fourth week of course.
- You will need to have the necessary computer equipment and skills to participate in online learning and research assessments.
- There are several mandatory vaccinations that you must have received. You can find more information about them in the “Course entry requirements” section of the course literature.
Potential Careers
With an aged care qualification under your belt, you'll have a number of career pathways open to you. These include roles such as Home Care Assistant, Personal Care Worker and Community Care Worker, which we’ve explored in a little more detail below.
Home Care Assistant
As the name suggests, Home Care Assistants work directly in older peoples' homes. You'll assist with routine daily living needs, such as bathing, dressing and nutrition. When required, you'll also help to schedule and attend appointments, arrange social activities, and purchase groceries. A large part of this role involves providing compassion and companionship to people that may be otherwise isolated and alone for much of the day.
Personal Care Worker
Personal Care Workers provide much of the same support listed above, albeit usually in an aged care facility. That said, the needs of patients within these facilities are usually more demanding or complex. You’ll still provide the same level of emotional support and facilitate activities to help residents maintain their independence.
Community Care Worker
Most Community Care sector workers will find employment in a number of community-based facilities. In this role, you'll provide assistance to older and/or disabled people, helping to cater for their emotional, social and physical health. There may be more of a focus on tasks such as meal preparation, proper personal hygiene and maintaining mobility.
Further Education
The Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) (CHC33015) is a strong springboard that will give you the experience and skills needed to work with older adults who have varying care requirements. If you're interested in progressing your clinical education further upon completion of the certificate, there are advanced options available too.
All Health Training's CHC43015 Certificate IV in Ageing Support builds on the knowledge gained in your level III qualification. Working in residential or home care, or supporting community facilities, you'll carry out duties in areas that include:
- Ensuring that service delivery quality is maintained;
- Meeting older adults’ personal care needs;
- Understanding and applying infection prevention and control procedures;
- Providing emotional support and companionship;
- Arranging and assisting with social activities;
- Helping patients to maintain their independence.
This certificate could help you secure a role as a Personal Care Assistant, Personal Care Attendant or Aged Care Worker for example as this is a minimum requirement to work in aged care. These roles typically attract an above-average weekly income of around $950.
Next Steps, and How to Apply
If you’re interested in finding out more about the Certificate 3 in Individual Support, you can schedule a chat with one of All Health Training’s advisors. We’re well-versed in the numerous healthcare courses in Australia, and we can help to advise you on your career goals and the suitability of the course. You're eager to make a difference to people, this is your opportunity!
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