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Certificate III in Health Services Assistance

HLT33115

Are you looking to embark on a career in healthcare? Mater Education’s Certificate III in Health Services Assistance course will arm you with the knowledge and skills needed to work in a range of assistant-style roles—from jobs as a patient care attendant or an assistant in nursing, through to orderly and wardsperson positions.

This hands-on course is delivered onsite at Mater Education's world-class clinical simulation facility and taught by our team of interprofessional education experts.

Key areas of learning and skills development include:

  • interpreting and applying medical terminology
  • anatomy and physiology
  • working in health and community services
  • infection prevention and control.

Graduates of the course will be able to work confidently in the following roles:

  • assistant in nursing
  • patient care attendant
  • personal carer
  • orderly
  • ward clerks

This qualification is approved for the Queensland Government Certificate 3 Guarantee program. To be eligible for the Certificate 3 Guarantee, you must meet eligibility criteria. For more information on the available funding options and criteria go to the Costs section on this page.

Brisbane Open Day

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Course information

  • Mater Education wants everyone enrolled into the program to have every opportunity to succeed at their study. Our program is dynamic, and delivered in a way that caters to all learning styles.

    When applications are open, you will need to complete an online application including:

    1. addressing the following three criteria:

    • What motivates you to pursue a career in healthcare at this time?
    • Why do you think the Mater Education program would suit you?
    • How do you plan to balance your life, work and full-time study commitments while undertaking the health services assistance program?

    2.  details of your work history and voluntary experience

    3. details of any prior education, including copies of any qualifications, statements of attainment or a transcript of completed study and/or your Senior Secondary Certificate of Education awarded for the completion of year 12.

    Selection
    Applicants that address the defined criteria as published and whose answers are clear and informative will progress to the next stage. 

    Stage 1: To set you up for success, we'll ask you to undergo a language, literacy and numeracy (LLN) evaluation before starting the program. The LLN evaluation will give us an insight into your reading, writing and numeracy skills, and help us plan any extra support you may need to succeed in the program. 

    Stage 2: Applicants who display competence at or above Exit Level 2 in the Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF) across all five core skills of learning, reading, writing, oral communication and numeracy will be invited to an interview.

    To be a health services assistant you need to be responsible, physically fit, mentally alert and practical. You also need to be able to carry out all of the physical activities that are a part of caring for someone.

    Certificates and permits
    Confirmation of your enrolment as a Health Services Assistant student is subject to the completion of a criminal history check (Fit2Work).

    For students complete vocational placement in a child related area, you will also be required to obtain a Blue Card. This is free for students and will be discussed at the interview stage. (If you have any questions about Blue Card requirements, please contact us.)

    Immunisation
    You need to be immunised, or in the process of being vaccinated, for the following communicable diseases:

    • Hepatitis B
    • Varicella (chicken pox)
    • MMR (measles, mumps and rubella)
    • Pertussis (whooping cough)
    • Seasonal vaccinations (influenza) as required
    • COVID-19.

    If you are applying for credit for your First Aid certification your CPR currency must be up to date for the duration of the program. 

    Resources:
    Students will require access to a reliable internet connection enabling access to Mater Education’s virtual learning environment, and a computer with up-to-date software, including Microsoft Office, Adobe Acrobat Reader and Adobe Flash Player.

Vocational placement

Mater Education has a dedicated Placement Team who will make arrangements for your mandatory placement as part of this program. You will undertake 40 hours of workplace experience placement in specialties including:

  • Ward services
  • Acute and chronic areas

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