Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) CHC33021

Learners may choose to enrol in the CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) as an entry point to working in the ageing support sector. Alternatively, they may undertake the qualification as a pathway to further education in:

• CHC43015 Certificate IV in Ageing
• HLT33115 Certificate III in Health Services Assistance
• CHC52015 Diploma of Community Services
• HLT54121 Diploma of Nursing

During this course, you'll learn how to:

• Communicate and work in health or community services
• Follow safe work practices for direct client care
• Facilitate the empowerment of people receiving support
• Provide individualised support
• Work with diverse people
• Work legally and ethically
• Support independence and wellbeing
• Recognise healthy body systems
• Apply basic principles and practices of infection prevention and control
• Contribute to ongoing skills development using a strengths-based approach
• Support relationships with carer and family
• Provide support to people living with dementia
• Work effectively in aged care
• Deliver care services using a palliative approach
• Provide First Aid

The duration for the course is self paced - maximum of 18 months. As a self-paced online course, the time it will take you to complete is flexible and dependent on ability and time available.

Entry Requirements

Mandatory Local Entry Requirements: There are no mandatory local entry requirements. Recommended Local Entry Requirements

• Are 18 years old at the time of placement.
• Have language, literacy and numeracy skills that ensure the ability to work independently and initiate and use support from a range of established resources,

1. Matches and cross-references words, symbols, codes and signs contained in instructions or labels.
2. Completes a range of forms requiring routine, factual data, e.g. WHS records
3. Reads and discusses data from simple charts or tables provided
4. These skills are equivalent to those that would be required to successfully achieve and ACSF Level 2 or have previously completed a Certificate II level qualification.

• Access to a modern computer with high-speed internet.
• Access to Microsoft office or equivalent
• Basic computing skills including the ability to make a short video

Physical Requirements

Students need to have a reasonable level of fitness, as the role may involve a variety of physical tasks, such as providing personal care, assisting clients with mobility and transfers and considerable time standing and walking. Additionally, where first aid is a requirement of the host organisation, students are required to have the requisite level of fitness that enables them to complete 2 minutes of uninterrupted CPR on an adult mannequin placed on the floor.

Tools and equipment required

To successfully complete their studies, learners will need access to the following resources and equipment.

• computer with access to the internet
• digital recording device to record simulated role-play tasks for submission
• tripod to provide a stable and secure platform to mount the digital recording device
• up to 3 people to support you in the role-play. It is the responsibility of the learner to find suitable role-play participants

Additional Work Placement Requirements

Students who are not currently employed at an appropriate workplace are required to find a host organisation to undertake work placement. Depending on the nature of the individual workplace, the student may need to undertake this at more than one workplace. While undertaking their training and assessment in industry, the student must abide by the policies and procedures of the workplace. The workplace may require the student to meet workplace specific requirements. These will vary by state and by organisation. Some of the statutory checks and requirements the student may need to provide to commence work placement are:

• Police Check
• NDIS Worker Screening
• Working with Children Check
• Occupational Assessment
• Screening and vaccination against infectious disease, including COVID-19
• Signing of Codes of Conduct and Confidentiality Agreements
• First Aid Certificate
• Psychological testing
• Manual Handling certification

Students are able to link their NDIS worker screening and blue card to Integrated Care and Management Training so that they can get student version. Students are provided a link on how to do this in OpenSpace in the FAQs.

The cost of obtaining any of above is at the cost of the student and will vary based on the student’s location and their personal circumstances. The costs will range between $50 - $250 per requirement.

• 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.

Workplaces suitable to undertaken SWL include: ·

• Residential aged care facilities
• Group homes
• Respite care services
• Home care services

In order for learners to be able to undertake the practical component of the course approved SWL work places must contain the following:

For students to be able to undertake the practical component of the course, approved workplaces must be able to provide students with the required equipment, environments, policies & procedures, documentation, appropriate supervisor, and clients. If host organisations are unable to provide the necessary equipment, resources, and access to clients the student may be required to undertake SWL within 2 (or more) organisations.

Students will be required to complete 160 hours of direct support work in at least one regulated aged care organisation. These hours will be split into 2 sections

• 40 hours – Work placement (learning)
• 120 hours – Work placement Work placement hours can be done part time or as a full-time block, depending on the host organisation’s requirements and availability

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.

CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support or equivalent or higher plus at least 18 months experience in industry. Other suitable qualifications

• Certificate IV in Ageing
• Diploma of Community Services
• Registered Nurses
• Enrolled Nurses