Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs and Certificate IV in Mental Health CHC43215/CHC43315

If you are looking to start a career in the community services space, but have no experience, this dual program is perfect for you. It will ground you in the foundations of mental health, and give you a strong base to launch your career from.

Alternatively, if you are already working in the sector and are looking to take the next step in your career, this dual program is a great way to formalise your experience and get the skills and knowledge you need to get ahead.

If you are an existing worker or have experience in the related industry, please inform our enrolment consultants during your enrolment conversation. You may be eligible to enrol as an existing worker and complete your studies faster. Please note - limitations do apply.

During this program you will learn how to:

• Build relationships.
• Work in an alcohol and other drugs context.
• Provide interventions for people with alcohol and other drugs issues.
• Develop and review individual alcohol and other drugs treatment plans.
• Work with people with a mental health issues.
• Work effectively in trauma informed care.
• Provide services to people with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drugs issues.
• Work with clients who are intoxicated.
• Increase the safety of Individuals at risk of suicide.
• Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety.
• Establish self-directed recovery relationships.
• Assess and promote social, emotional and physical wellbeing.
• Promote and facilitate self-advocacy.
• Develop and maintain networks and collaborative partnerships.
• Work with diverse people.

The duration for the course is maximum 24 months. As a self-paced online course, the time it will take you to complete is flexible and dependent on ability and time available.

Education

There are no formal education entry requirements for this course.

Minimum age

You will need to be at least 18 years old.

English

This course involves reading learning content and undertaking a range of written assessments and engaging in online forums and discussions. Furthermore, the delivery mode relies on the extensive use of written communication. As such, entry to the course requires the successful completion of English to Year 12 level.

If you haven't successfully completed English at Year 12 level, you can demonstrate equivalency through one of the following:

• Successful completion of a Nationally Recognised Training qualification at Certificate III level or higher; or
• 2 years relevant industry experience in a role that requires the use of written documentation and communication

Open Colleges recognises that not all people are able to read, write and perform calculations to the same standard. See the Language, Literacy and Numeracy Considerations section for more information on tools, resources and support services provided to by Open Colleges.

Computing

Access to others

This course includes a requirement to record video and/ or audio roleplays. These will require participation by 1-2 other people sourced by you.

Tools and equipment

You will need to purchase specific tools and equipment for this course. Click here to view the complete list of materials, equipment and tools required for this course. IT Requirements It is recommended that students have the following hardware and additional software:

• Operating System:
• Processor: 2 GHz or faster, 2-core
• Memory: 8GB of RAM or higher z916GB recommended)
• Hard Drive: Space 2 GB free disk space
• Browser: Chrome is the preferred browser for students
• Windows users:
• Microsoft Windows 7 or higher (Windows 10 recommended)
• 1 Ghz or faster processer (2GHz recommended)
• Software:
• Internet Connection: DSL, Cable, or Satellite with at least 2mbps upload speed Note: it is strongly recommended that you have access to the Internet from home. Expecting to access your course from your work internet or a public network like a library or coffee shop may be impractical due to your average weekly study hours.
• Printer/Scanner: Access to printing/scanning devices or facilities may be required for certain course activities
• Peripherals:
• E-Mail Capability: Access to e-mail through an e-mail program or web-based e-mail system (e.g., Gmail, Hotmail, Mail for Android or Mail for iOS apps)

Equipment

You will need access to a digital camera and associated software to save and upload image and video files to OpenSpace. You'll also need access to a web camera and a microphone enabled headset to participate in Google Hangouts, online tutorials and video conferences. Many smartphones, tablets and computers have this technology installed.

Skills

To successfully complete this course, you will require basic computing skills. This includes:

• Creating, saving and editing Microsoft Office documents.
• Accessing and searching the internet.
• Downloading and saving documents from websites.
• Uploading documents through websites.
• Participating in online discussions.
• Compressing image files.
• Connecting digital cameras and downloading and storing images.

Physical requirements

Learners must be reasonably physically fit, as the role may involve a variety of tasks that require a moderate amount of physical activity, such as providing direct assistance to clients with daily living and assisting clients with mobility.

Learners undertaking unit HLTAID011 Provide first aid requires learners undertaking Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) continuously for a minimum of 2 minutes while kneeling on the floor.

Mental health skills

During work placement you will be responsible for providing support and services to individuals and families experiencing mental health issues. This may include confidential individual, family, supporting families dealing with mental health issues, working with clients who have complex needs and working with children and young people experiencing abuse. It is important that you are able to work cooperatively in a team, act with cultural sensitivity, be accepting of diversity and be non-judgemental. Some of the learning materials are sensitive in nature and warnings are provided along with potential services that can assist with self-care and managing any personal issues that the learning may raise.

Language, Literacy and Numeracy

Our free online assessment tool can help give you an idea of the language, literacy and numeracy skills needed to study a VET course. This tool can also help you determine your learning level and help you plan your future studies. You can access the Language, Literacy and Numeracy tool here.

• By undertaking a work placement you’ll get a chance to put the knowledge you’ve learned on your course into practice.
• You’ll also develop practical, on-the-job skills and could make contacts that could help you find a job once you graduate.
• Work placement is often the most rewarding part of a student’s course. Working face-to-face with clients and colleagues in your chosen field makes a huge difference to your career confidence.

You’ll need to find a work placement yourself and ensure it’s approved by Open Colleges. When looking for a suitable work placement host organisation, have a think about the following:

• Are you already working or volunteering in the industry your course is related to? You could potentially do your work placement at your current place of work or have contacts that could recommend a suitable work place. Ask around!
• If you’re entering a new industry, do some research and start thinking about organisations you could approach. We have plenty of resources available to help with approaching and finding a suitable work placement organisation.

All costs of work placement, including any placement fees charged by the host organisation (whether to the student or Open Colleges), cost of statutory checks and vaccinations, travel, accommodation, and uniforms are the responsibility of the student. These fees will vary and are dependent on your location within Australia.

• Costs for statutory checks will range between $50 - $250 dependent on the type of check you select and your state.
• Costs for vaccinations will very between practitioners, please refer to your GP for approximate costs.
• Placement fees will vary, please discuss this with your intended host organisation for approximate costs.

You will need to undertake your work placement in an organisation involved in the delivery of alcohol and other drug and mental health related services to clients. The workplace will need to be able to provide you with access to specialist equipment and resources.

The specific requirements of the workplace are outlined in the course overview. Your workplace assessor will ascertain whether the workplace is appropriate.

Please note that your host organisation may require you to provide an up to date immunisation history prior to the commencement of your work placement. Open Colleges has no control over this requirement so if you are unable to provide this, you will need to discuss it with your intended Host Organisation.

It should also be noted that some immunisations, such as Hepatitis B and COVID-19, need multiple injections to be administered over a specific time period before you are deemed immune. It is important that you consult with your GP as soon as possible to avoid delays in starting your work placement.

Your supervisor must have at least 3 years of experience in the community services industry and/or hold a minimum qualification of Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs or Certificate IV in Mental Health or equivalent.