Course overview
Employment in residential care services has grown by 42.7% over the last 10 years*.
With around a quarter of a million workers, this sector is still needing professional people to provide the personal, physical and emotional support required for Australia’s rapidly ageing population. The government has prospected potential skills shortages in this sector.
The nationally recognised CHC33015 Certificate III in Individual Support (Specialising in Ageing, Home and Community) is the first step in gaining the skills to operate effectively as a care worker or assistant in nursing in a residential aged care facility, or as a community care worker. You can access this course by direct entry but it would also be suitable for you if you have some experience and need to formalise your qualifications.
Offered in partnership with ICM Training, this course includes a practical work placement to give you experience in an operating aged care facility. This learning component will give you the practical, hands-on experience that you need to become fully job-ready and be able to step directly into a role.
You will also receive a selection of learning materials, including access to a simulated aged care facility, and you can connect with other like-minded people and form lasting friendships and networks via the OpenSpace learning portal.
Job outcomes
- Assistant in Nursing
- Care Worker
- Community Care Worker
- Home Care Assistant
- Residential Care Worker
- Residential Support Worker
Recognition
Study method
- BlendedBlended delivery - both online course content and partial face to face requirements
- OnlineOnline delivery - online course content with the exception of assessments and work placement
- In-classIn class delivery - predominately face to face course content conducted at a specific location
- VirtualVirtual Delivery - Live and interactive classroom-style learning conducted completely online
Duration study load
Maximum 12 months
Entry requirements
Education
There are no formal education entry requirements for this course.
Minimum Age
You will need to be at least 16 years old. If you are under 18 your enrolment form will need to be signed by a parent or guardian.
Course features
Open Colleges has a work placement partnership with these organisation(s):
- Group Homes Australia recognises that today’s generation of older Australians want something more than traditional aged care homes. They, and their families, want accommodation that provides high levels of respect and personal care combined within a warm, friendly environment.
- Careseekers Pty Ltd aims to connect people looking for carers with carers who are qualified and ready to work. Careseekers knows that putting a carer in a client’s home is a big step, and understands that carers need to be trustworthy, of good character and experienced.
An application process applies to work placements with Open Colleges partners.
Work placement
The course contains 120 hours of work placement:
A work placement is a highly stimulating and rewarding part of the course. It will enable you to participate in a real workplace and put into practice the new skills and knowledge that you are learning in the course.
You will need to undertake your work placement in residential aged care, home care environment or community support setting.
Assessment
- Demonstrations
- Knowledge tests
- Logbook
- Presentations
- Workplace Portfolio
Subjects
- Work with information about the human body
- Recognise and promote ways to support healthy functioning of the body
- Develop relationships with older people
- Provide services to older people
- Support the rights of older people
- Promote health and re-ablement of older people
- Determine personal support requirements
- Maximise participation
- Provide personal support
- Complete reporting and documentation
- Determine support needs
- Provide support services
- Monitor support activities
- Complete reporting and documentation
- Communicate effectively with people
- Collaborate with colleagues
- Address constraints to communication
- Report problems to supervisor
- Complete workplace correspondence and documentation
- Contribute to continuous improvement
- Identify and respond to legal requirements
- Identify and meet ethical responsibilities
- Contribute to workplace improvements
- Follow safe work practices for direct client care
- Follow safe work practices for manual handling
- Follow safe work practices for infection control
- Contribute to safe work practices in the workplace
- Reflect on own safe work practices
- Prepare to provide support to those affected by dementia
- Use appropriate communication strategies
- Provide activities for maintenance of dignity, skills and health
- Implement strategies which minimise the impact of behaviours of concern
- Complete documentation
- Implement self care strategies
- Prepare to assist with medication
- Prepare the client for assistance with administration of medication
- Support clients with administration of medication
- Handle medication contingencies
- Complete medication distribution and documentation
*This elective unit requires you to be employed in the workplace and under the supervision of a current AHPRA Registration as a Registered Nurse / DIV1.
- Observe individuals
- Manage conflict
- Respond to behaviours of concern
- Complete reporting requirements
- Reflect on own perspectives
- Appreciate diversity and inclusiveness, and their benefits
- Communicate with people from diverse backgrounds and situations
- Promote understanding across diverse groups
- Recognise and support individual differences
- Promote independence
- Support physical wellbeing
- Support social, emotional and psychological wellbeing
- Include carers and family members as part of the support team
- Assess and respond to changes in the care relationship
- Monitor and promote carer rights, health and well being
- Determine requirements of individual plan
- Establish relationship in the home
- Operate respectfully in the home
- Complete reporting and documentation
About Open Colleges
Open Colleges puts you at the centre of everything. As an institution, it measures its success in the success of its students. With more than 100 years of experience in distance learning, Open Colleges has the expertise in delivering education and training to individuals seeking to launch, change or accelerate their careers.
Open Colleges Australia focuses on meeting the specific needs of adult learners by delivering highly flexible, accessible and affordable learning opportunities. Its unique learning model provides you with ultimate control – to study anywhere, anytime and at your own pace. Its online campus – OpenSpace – provides you with access to learning resources, expert trainers and assessors, collaboration with other learners and a comprehensive range of support services. Open Colleges is the perfect solution for time-poor students with busy schedules, as it makes getting your qualification possible from wherever you are.
Open Colleges is a Registered Training Organization (RTO 90796)