Certificate III in Health Services Assistance

This course provides an excellent foundation for work in support roles in the health industry.

You’ll learn to work with patients under supervision of professional health staff.

You’ll learn to perform a range of tasks and duties and gain knowledge of:

transporting patients preparing and maintaining beds following basic food safety practice infection control and prevention recognising healthy body systems basic medical terminology workplace health and safety.

This course includes a practical work placement in a health care environment to help you further develop your skills and gain direct industry experience.

FREE TAFE 2020 – APPLY NOW Eligible students won’t pay tuition fees for this course in 2020.

Free TAFE courses align with skills and jobs that are in high demand from Victorian employers.

Find out more about Free TAFE (external link) .

To be awarded HLT33115 Certificate III in Health Services Assistance, a student must successfully complete a total of fifteen (15) units of competency, comprising of:

• seven (7) core units, and;
• eight (8) elective units, consisting of:
• at least six (6) units from the electives listed in the HLT33115 Certificate III in Health Services Assistance qualification;
• up to two (2) units from any endorsed training package or accredited course – these units must be relevant to the work outcome.

All electives chosen must contribute to a valid, industry-supported vocational outcome as well as be approved by the Polytechnic.

Course structure and units

Core units

• BSBMED301 - Interpret and apply medical terminology appropriately
• BSBWOR301 - Organise personal work priorities and development
• CHCCOM005 - Communicate and work in health or community services
• CHCDIV001 - Work with diverse people
• HLTAAP001 - Recognise healthy body systems
• HLTINF001 - Comply with infection prevention and control policies and procedures
• HLTWHS001 - Participate in workplace health and safety

Elective units

Group A - Operating theatre technician

Group A electives are not currently offered by the Polytechnic.

Group B - Assisting in nursing work in acute care

• CHCCCS002 - Assist with movement
• CHCCCS026 - Transport individuals

Other electives

• CHCAGE001 - Facilitate the empowerment of older people
• CHCAGE005 - Provide support to people living with dementia
• CHCCCS010 - Maintain high standard of service
• CHCCCS012 - Prepare and maintain beds
• CHCCCS015 - Provide individualised support
• CHCDIS007 - Facilitate the empowerment of people with disability
• HLTFSE001 - Follow basic food safety practices

Recognition of Prior Learning and/or Credit Transfers

Previous completion of units at the Polytechnic or any other Registered Training Organisation and/or previous attainment of skills and knowledge may be credited towards this course. Units must satisfy the completion rules of the qualification and be assessed as appropriate by the Polytechnic.

Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee you entry into this course. Some courses receive more applications than the number of places available. In this situation we will also assess your education, work and other relevant experience.

If you do not meet the minimum requirements you may be eligible for one of our special admission programs. We also encourage you to explore our study pathways to help you reach your goal.

Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.

Entry requirements

Prior to enrolment, all applicants will be required to complete a literacy and numeracy assessment to assist with determining eligibility and to identify learning support needs. For employment and practical placement purposes, this vocational sector typically requires a current and satisfactory Police Record Check and Working with Children Check. Failure to provide the required documents in the timeframe specified by the Course Coordinator, means you will be unable to undertake practical placement in a workplace and therefore not eligible to progress in this course.The following are suggested sites you could visit to obtain these checks:- Police Record Check - http://www.police.vic.gov.au/content.asp?Document_ID=274 - Working with Children Check - http://www.workingwithchildren.vic.gov.au/VETiS: The literacy and numeracy levels of applicants will be assessed through consultation with the relevant secondary school.

Pathways from VU courses

There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.

Find out more about pathways and credits.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

You may be able to complete your qualification sooner through formal recognition of your existing skills. This is known as Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

To receive RPL, we assess your previous work, education and life experiences against recognised qualifications. Applications for RPL can be made prior to enrolling.

Call us on 1300 TAFE VP (1300 823 387) to discuss RPL options with the course manager.

This qualification reflects the role of a variety of workers who use a range of factual, technical and procedural knowledge to provide assistance to health professional staff for the care of clients. Health services assistance involves the worker in direct client contact under supervision.

This qualification forms part of the credit suite specified by the Victorian Curriculum and Assessment Authority (VCAA) and may contribute towards the satisfactory completion of the Victoria Certificate of Education (VCE) or the Victoria Certificate of Applied Learning (VCAL).