Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance

Overview

Working in the allied health industry means you'll be part of a team focused on holistic care. This qualification will provide you with the skills to support allied health professionals, (e.g. physiotherapists, podiatrists, occupational therapists) in their private practices or healthcare facilities including services in the aged care and disability sector. You will learn about the medical aspects of health, as well as how people function and how you can help them maintain independence. As a valued member of a multidisciplinary allied health team, you can make a real difference to people's lives. This course also includes industry visits and compulsory placement, so you'll gain real-world practical experience. Upon successful graduation, you'll be on your way to a fulfilling career providing therapeutic and program related support.

Where and When

Select a location to view course offerings and apply.

Duration

Full-time: 12 months

Requirements

• On receipt of your course application, you will be emailed an 'Application Requirement Questionnaire' electronic form, and you will be required to provide evidence of a Victorian Working With Children's Check (WWCC).
• Prior to placement, students will be required to provide evidence of a Working with Children's Check, a National Police check and an NDIS Worker Clearance check (depending on the venue).
• Students should allow for 8-10 hours per week for self-directed study outside of scheduled class times.
• Students may be required to undertake a range of manual tasks and placement can be physically demanding. Although physical limitations may not be a limiting factor, any physical issues for prospective students must be discussed with course coordinator.
• Successful applicants for this course will be required to provide evidence of immunisation records (for placement).
• Vaccination requirements may attract an additional cost and will be the same for all work placement venues. Proof of vaccination must be provided, and acceptance of student's vaccination status is at the discretion of the health service.
• Vaccination requirements must be completed during term 2 of the course. You must be fully (third dose or booster) vaccinated to attend student placement in a healthcare, aged care or disability setting Students undertaking placement may be required to provide evidence of their COVID-19 third dose vaccination status, or a medical exemption by an authorised medical practitioner, to be permitted to work onsite. This applies if you are enrolled in a healthcare, aged care or disability program that requires you to undertake a student placement.
• FIT Testing for face masks is a requirement of most health services.

Field Placement

Clinical Placement Students must be a minimum of 17 years of age at the time of their first clinical placement. During relevant stages of the course, students complete a 15-day period (120 hours) of clinical placement for which 100% attendance is required. Students will need a current police check, Working With Children Check and an updated immunisation record. Some venues may also require an NDIS Worker Clearance check. Please note there may be costs associated with these checks. The placements are organised by Wodonga TAFE.

There are an additional 5-7 days outside of regular class times, where students will be required to attend practical excursions, or the need to attend TAFE for course associated activities. Students will be required to organise their own transport for placement, and for excursions during the course. Certain organisations require student to have a valid driver's licence to be able to attend home visits.

Assessment

The method of assessment varies and can include (but is not limited to):

• Observation in the workplace or simulated environment
• Written tasks, including quizzes
• Research tasks, including projects
• Portfolios
• Oral presentations
• Group work

Skills Developed

• Interpret and apply medical terminology appropriately
• Work with diverse people
• Follow safe work practices for direct client care
• Assist with movement
• Respond effectively to behaviours of concern
• Provide First Aid
• Facilitate the empowerment of people receiving support
• Support relationships with carer and family
• Apply basic principles and practices of infection prevention and control
• Assist with allied health program
• Deliver and monitor physical or manual therapy programs
• Assist in rehabilitation programs
• Support maintenance of functional status
• Conduct group sessions for individual outcomes
• Engage with clinical supervision and delegation
• Recognise impact of health conditions
• Recognise and report risk of falls
• Work within a community rehabilitation environment

Certification

By successfully completing this course you will receive a nationally recognised AQF qualification.

Compulsory Units

Fees

Fees Additional Information

Additional course costs that may apply Please note depending on individual circumstance there may be additional costs that apply throughout the completion of your qualification. These will be discussed further with your Course Coordinator, and may include:

• Working With Children Check
• National Police Check
• NDIS Worker Clearance (for some placement venues)
• Vaccination requirements
• Workwear requirements for applied learning and placement
• Travel requirements to placement and other possible industry visits.

The student tuition fees published are indicative only and can be subject to change given individual circumstances at the time of enrolment. Funding made available to eligible individuals by State and Commonwealth Governments. If funding is utilised, this may affect opportunities to access additional funding in the future. For more information see 'Fee information and eligibility' under the 'How to Apply' tab on the Wodonga TAFE website.

Pathways

On successful completion of this course, students are eligible for membership with the APA under the PTA (Physiotherapy Assistance) category. The Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance provides a foundation of practical skills and knowledge on which you can build a career in health. You may also continue your studies to university, such as the Bachelor of Health and Medical Sciences at Charles Sturt University. Please contact the university you are interested in for further information about entry requirements and see also www.wodongatafe.edu.au/careerdirect for additional information on university pathways.

Careers

• Therapy assistant
• Podiatry assistant
• Physiotherapy assistant
• Speech pathology assistant
• Occupational therapy assistant
• Allied health assistant
• Nutrition assistant

How To Apply

Applying for a course at Wodonga TAFE is a simple 4-5 step process. You can learn more here: Understanding the application process

Click the Apply Now button in the list below for the time and location that interests you.