TAFE Queensland Brisbane Online Program Guide for Health Employees Administrative Professional Program
State of Queensland Edition: January 2016 Developed by TAFE Queensland Brisbane, Locked Mail Bag 14, SOUTH BRISBANE QLD 4101
TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction... 3 Target Group... 3 Timeframes... 3 Qualifications available... 3 The Australian Qualifications Framework... 4 Funding CONDITIONS... 7 YOUR QUALIFICATION... 7 TRAINING PLAN... 8 WORKPLACE LEARNING... 8 LEARNING THROUGH INTERACTION... 9 PRIVATE STUDY... 9 ONLINE LEARNING... 9 TUTORIAL SUPPORT... 9 Assessment strategy... 9 ASSESSMENT METHODS... 10 ASSESSMENT PORTFOLIO... 10 SUPERVISOR THIRD PARTY REPORT... 11 Referencing... 12 Application for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)... 12 Withdrawal from the Program... 13 Release of Academic Results... 13 Plagiarism... 14 GRIEVANCES AND APPEALS... 14 Further Enquiries... 14 How to APPLy... 14 Attachments... 14 Appendix 1... 15
INTRODUCTION This booklet provides information on the Health Administrative Professional Program. The program, which is being offered through the TAFE Queensland Brisbane Online (TQBO), aims to assist Staff in Health to develop their leadership competencies and enhance their workplace skills and knowledge. This booklet covers a range of topics that are relevant to participants and managers/supervisors and outlines the steps and processes to be followed in undertaking the program. TARGET GROUP The target group for the program is staff at the entry level and front-line supervisory levels. This includes staff at the following classification levels; AO2 AO4. Administration staff above A05 and above can enrol in the program but will have to either self-fund their study or source alternative funding. A participant will receive a qualification only if they have achieved all of the units of competence necessary for a qualification. Participants who do not wish to complete all of the required units for a qualification may be awarded a Statement of Attainment for individual units of competence upon request. TIMEFRAMES Students entering the program can enrol in their studies through TQBO s intake model. A number of intakes are run throughout the year for Certificate and Diploma courses. The enrolment period is 10 weeks for certificate III and IV and 14 weeks for the diploma. You must complete all of your assessment for the units that you are currently enrolled in prior to your close of study date. QUALIFICATIONS AVAILABLE We offer a range of qualifications for Health employees. These include: PSP30112 Certificate III in Government PSP40112 Certificate IV in Government PSP50112 Diploma of Government January 2016 PAGE 3
THE AUSTRALIAN QUALIFICATIONS FRAMEWORK The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) is the national policy for regulated qualifications in Australian education and training. It incorporates the qualifications from each education and training sector into a single comprehensive national qualifications framework. Each nationally recognised qualification must meet the requirements of the framework and as such there are specifications for the qualifications at each level of study. Descriptions have been provided for each type of qualification for your reference. Certificate III qualification type descriptor Purpose The Certificate III qualifies individuals who apply a broad range of knowledge and skills in varied contexts to undertake skilled work and as a pathway for further learning. Knowledge: Graduates of a Certificate III will have factual, technical, procedural and theoretical knowledge in an area of work and learning. Skills: Graduates of a Certificate III will have: cognitive, technical and communication skills to interpret and act on available information cognitive and communication skills to apply and communicate known solutions to a variety of predictable problems and to deal with unforseen contingencies using known solutions technical and communication skills to provide technical information to a variety of specialist and non-specialist audiences technical skills to undertake routine and some non-routine tasks in a range of skilled operations Application of knowledge and skills: Graduates of a Certificate III will demonstrate the application of knowledge and skills: with discretion and judgement in the selection of equipment, services or contingency measures to adapt and transfer skills and knowledge within known routines, methods, procedures and time constraints in contexts that include taking responsibility for own outputs in work and learning including participation Volume of: The volume of learning of a Certificate III is typically 1 2 years. Up to 4 years may be required to achieve the learning outcomes through a program of indentured training/employment Australian Qualification Framework 2013, p. 34 January 2016 PAGE 4
Certificate IV qualification type descriptor Purpose The Certificate IV qualifies individuals who apply a broad range of specialised knowledge and skills in varied contexts to undertake skilled work and as a pathway for further learning Knowledge: Graduates of a Certificate IV will have broad factual, technical and theoretical knowledge in a specialised field of work and learning Skills: Graduates of a Certificate IV will have: cognitive skills to identify, analyse, compare and act on information from a range of sources cognitive, technical and communication skills to apply and communicate technical solutions of a non-routine or contingency nature to a defined range of predictable and unpredictable problems specialist technical skills to complete routine and non-routine tasks and functions communication skills to guide activities and provide technical advice in the area of work and learning Application of knowledge and skills: Graduates of a Certificate IV will demonstrate the application of knowledge and skills: to specialised tasks or functions in known or changing contexts with responsibility for own functions and outputs, and may have limited responsibility for organisation of others with limited responsibility for the quantity and quality of the output of others in a team within limited parameters Volume of: The volume of learning of a Certificate IV is typically 0.5 2 years. There may be variations to this Australian Qualification Framework 2013, p. 36 January 2016 PAGE 5
Diploma qualification type descriptor Purpose The Diploma qualifies individuals who apply integrated technical and theoretical concepts in a broad range of contexts to undertake advanced skilled or paraprofessional work and as a pathway for further learning Knowledge: Graduates of a Diploma will have technical and theoretical knowledge and concepts, with depth in some areas within a field of work and learning Skills: Graduates of a Diploma will have: cognitive and communication skills to identify, analyse, synthesise and act on information from a range of sources cognitive, technical and communication skills to analyse, plan, design and evaluate approaches to unpredictable problems and/or management requirements specialist technical and creative skills to express ideas and perspectives communication skills to transfer knowledge and specialised skills to others and demonstrate understanding of knowledge Application of knowledge and skills: Graduates of a Diploma will demonstrate the application of knowledge and skills: with depth in some areas of specialisation, in known or changing contexts to transfer and apply theoretical concepts and/or technical and/or creative skills in a range of situations with personal responsibility and autonomy in performing complex technical operations with responsibility for own outputs in relation to broad parameters for quantity and quality with initiative and judgement to organise the work of self and others and plan, coordinate and evaluate the work of teams within broad but generally welldefined parameters Volume of: The volume of learning of a Diploma is typically 1 2 years. There may be variations to this Australian Qualification Framework 2013, p. 39 January 2016 PAGE 6
HEALTH FUNDING CONDITIONS As part of our normal process, successful applicants will receive an email confirming their funding approval. The approved Course Application Form (CAF) is then forwarded to TAFE whereby TAFE will then issue an enrolment form to the successful applicant. As from 01 January, the applicant will have 4 weeks from the date of issue of the enrolment form to contact the TAFE and enrol in the program. If they do not enrol within that 4 week period, the CAF will become invalid and they will need to reapply for funding to progress with their study. It is expected that participants will remain engaged in their study and work with TAFE Queensland Brisbane to keep them informed of circumstances which are impacting on their progress. As with any RTO, TAFE Queensland Brisbane are more than happy to help participants work out a study plan that suits their requirements and negotiate extensions in genuine circumstances. However, if a participant has not enrolled for a period of two months or more and have not been in contact with TAFE Queensland Brisbane to discuss their circumstances, they will be regarded as not continuing, and will be withdrawn from the program. In this instance, if they wish to continue to study, they will need to reapply for funding YOUR QUALIFICATION The qualification you are studying consists of a number of units of competency in specified skill areas relevant to your role in government. Each qualification has a certain number of core (or required) units of competency, and a number of elective units of study. You must complete the core units of study to gain your qualification and as well as selecting the required number of elective units. Your elective unit selection can be made from the units listed on the preferred order of study brochure. LEARNING STRATEGY The APP program is delivered online, but you do have the option of downloading and printing a PDF version of the learning materials. For most units of competency you will access your learning materials through Connect (some units are offered via Recognition of Prior Learning only). The learning guides acknowledge that as an adult you already have considerable knowledge and skills. Through an approach that encourages you to read, investigate, observe, reflect and evaluate, your knowledge and skill base will grow and evolve. January 2016 PAGE 7
Courses developed for competency-based training are designed to be flexible so that individuals and workplaces are able to develop training plans that best meet their needs. TIME COMMITTMENT You should be willing to commit personal time to achieving your qualification, even if you have been able to make arrangements with your supervisor to complete some study whilst at work. On average you should commit anywhere between 6 8 hours per week to your study depending on the unit. TRAINING PLAN In consultation with your supervisor and your TQBO teacher you will need to develop a training plan that identifies: the sequence in which you will work through the core units of competency the electives you have chosen the sequence in which you will work through the elective units of competency the mode of assessment the timeline for completion of each unit or group of units. The Training Plan is emailed to you upon your enrolment. WORKPLACE LEARNING The workplace is valuable to your learning, so most learning activities are workbased. The learning materials have been contextualised to Health. The learning activities are flexible and open-ended to cater for the variety of work situations experienced by the participants undertaking this course. However, in order to meet competency requirements you may need to experience some aspects of supervisory work that may fall outside your normal role and responsibilities. When you access your Learning Guide, familiarise yourself with it and identify activities that may be difficult to undertake in your current workplace. Identify any additional learning support you may need. For example, you may need the opportunity to work on some different tasks, to visit another work area, interview a staff member from another work area, access the Internet or Intranet and so on. January 2016 PAGE 8
LEARNING THROUGH INTERACTION The learning guides have been developed to incorporate flexible, self-paced, independent learning strategies. However, this does not mean you should attempt to learn in isolation. Cooperation with others who can offer you support, alternative points of view to consider, opportunities to test your own ideas and so on. Your learning will be enhanced if you arrange regular contact with: your supervisor peers, particularly participants studying the same learning guide colleagues who have studied similar courses your TQBO teacher. PRIVATE STUDY You will need to make arrangements with your supervisor about support such as relief from work duties for study. In addition to whatever time is available for work-based learning, you will need to allocate personal time for private study to meet the learning and assessment requirements. Finding a regular slice of study time can be difficult for many people, so think carefully about whether or not you can make this commitment to study. ONLINE LEARNING Participants will be able to access their online learning units at the start of the intake by logging onto Connect You will have received an email containing instructions on registering to access your units. TUTORIAL SUPPORT Participants will also be able to access tutorial support and guidance by contacting the Health Help Desk at TQBO on (07) 3259 4517 or via email. ASSESSMENT STRATEGY Your assessor will be the Health Teacher, who is a member of the Public Sector Training Services team at TQBO. January 2016 PAGE 9
ASSESSMENT METHODS Assessment is the process of checking that you are able to perform an element of competency to the standard detailed in the performance criteria. The distance learning model work through your Learning Guide, completing the activities listed within. Upon completion of the activities, you will have a culminating assessment piece that is outlined in your assessment tool. This will either be question and answers or an assignment/project. Your supervisor is also required to sign a Third Party Report. Recognition of Prior Learning this is where you current competency in the unit of competency is recognised, usually via workplace documentation and an explanatory written component. A combination of both these methods you may elect to RPL some units and study the remainder the choice is yours! If you elect to RPL please contact your teacher, who will send the Self-Assessment Guide once your Course Application has been approved and forwarded for processing. ASSESSMENT PORTFOLIO Your Assessment Portfolio will consist of the following: workplace activities from the Learning Guide your Integrated Assignment OR your written responses to the Questions OR a project/assignment. You should also include any additional documents the following documents in your portfolio (detailed instructions are contained within your assessment guide). Cover sheet, signed by you as the participant Record of assessment form Any other TAFE marker documentation within the assessment tool There is no specific requirement for presentation of your Assessment Portfolio, however the Assessment Tool for each unit of competency outlines formatting requirements. The assessment should be presented to a professional standard. You will lodge your assessment through the Dropbox feature in Connect. Your assessment will need to be in a word type format so that your teacher can insert comments. Upon completion of assessment you are able to download your completed assessment. January 2016 PAGE 10
It is important for you to note that: Any documentation provided as evidence must be prepared by you to a satisfactory standard, in accordance with procedures of your work unit. You need to provide enough detail to enable an assessor to decide whether you have achieved competency. The amount of detail required to complete activities will vary from activity to activity. You should preserve confidentiality of any documents provided as evidence. You should always keep a backup copy of your Assessment/RPL prior to submitting. WORKPLACE ACTIVITIES The activities throughout your Learning Guide have been designed to provide you with opportunities for learning through workplace experiences where applicable. The activities form part of your Assessment Portfolio and may include required readings. After you complete an activity, take time to assess your own learning and development. If you have difficulties with an activity or are unsure of the required standard, contact your TQBO teacher. It may be worthwhile to discuss one of your early activities with your supervisor or teacher, to obtain feedback and ensure you have a thorough understanding of the knowledge and skills required. INTEGRATED ASSIGNMENT/QUESTIONS These tasks will provide you with an opportunity to consolidate and synthesise the learning that has occurred as you have worked through the Learning Guide. In addition, it will provide the assessor with evidence of your ability to transfer and apply skills and knowledge to new situations and environments. SUPERVISOR THIRD PARTY REPORT To gain your qualification, participants are required to demonstrate that they can: Apply knowledge, skills and attitudes in a range of situations, in accordance with organisational standards. Manage a variety of tasks. January 2016 PAGE 11
Use problem-solving skills to handle unforeseen situations. Take responsibility for their performance and for the performance of others, in accordance with organisational requirements. Although the elements of competency and the performance criteria for each unit of competence are specific to that unit, they reflect this general level of competence. Your supervisor, or an appropriate third party familiar with your work, will provide an independent evaluation of your ability to work consistently and effectively at this level. REFERENCING At Diploma level you are expected to follow professional referencing conventions in the presentation of your work. The conventions that are followed by TQBO are outlined in the TAFE QLD Brisbane Library Referencing Guide available at: https://brisbane.tafeqld.spydus.com/web_docs/referencing/referencing_guide_2014. html APPLICATION FOR RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING (RPL) As a Health employee you may already have some, or all, of the knowledge and skills included in the Certificate and Diploma qualifications. You can gain recognition for these skills through the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process. Therefore, it is highly recommended that participants undertake a self-assessment of their current skills before commencing training. Participants can apply for RPL by completing the Self-Assessment Guide for the relevant qualification, which is available from their teacher. All applications for RPL should be sent to the Public Sector Team at TAFE Queensland Brisbane Online who will determine RPL outcomes. Students are advised to retain a personal copy of all work submitted to TQBO. Your assessment portfolio will consist of the following: Application for RPL coversheet, signed where indicated All other completed TAFE paperwork (eg ticked questions, context statements, list of evidence being supplied, and the supervisor sign off has been completed) Your evidence with explanatory written notes January 2016 PAGE 12
ACCESSING YOUR RESULTS Once you have submitted your assessment folio, and confirmed receipt of it, you can expect that your unit will be resulted within 21 days. Your results can be accessed through the TAFE Queensland Student Self Service website, which can be accessed via the following link: http://tafebrisbane.edu.au/currentstudents/online-services/student-self-service/#.vxjpegv--70 WITHDRAWAL FROM THE PROGRAM Participants receiving a Health subsidy, who: withdraw from a unit within 2 weeks after enrolment in the unit, will be required to pay the student services fee and 20% of the enrolment fee to Health; or withdraw from a unit 2 weeks after the commencement of delivery of the unit, will be required to pay the student services fee and the enrolment fee in full to Health. This must be done within ten working days of withdrawing from the Program, unless extenuating circumstances exist as determined and agreed by Health. If a staff member enrolled in the program decides to leave Health then that staff member will be required to return the subsidy for the unit(s) for which they are currently enrolled. In this instance, Health accepts no further liability for future subject fees incurred through continued involvement in the course. Self-funding participants who: withdraw from a unit within 2 weeks after the commencement of delivery of the unit, will be required to pay the student services fee and will be refunded the enrolment fee, less 20%, to Brisbane North Institute of TAFE; or withdraw from a unit 2 weeks after the commencement of delivery of the unit will be required to pay TQBO for the unit. In either case, a Participant Withdrawal Advice Form must be completed and returned to your teacher at TQBO. This form is available from your teacher RELEASE OF ACADEMIC RESULTS Health and TQBO are bound by the confidentiality clauses contained in the consultancy agreement. All participants who wish to apply for the program must release their academic results to Health. January 2016 PAGE 13
Plagiarism Plagiarism is presenting another person s work as your own. Plagiarism includes the following practices: copying the work of another program participant using paragraphs, sentences, a single sentence or significant parts of a sentence which are copied directly from another person s work and are not enclosed in quotation marks or acknowledged as the other person s work where another person s work is summarised or re-written and the material is not acknowledged to come from that other person. Note: For answers to short-answer questions, you may use the lecture material supplied with the subject as the basis for your answer, but you should write the answer in your own words. GRIEVANCES AND APPEALS TQBO has a fair and equitable process for dealing with customer s grievances and appeals. In the event that grievances cannot be resolved internally, the Institute will advise our customers of the appropriate procedures and processes for seeking further assistance. FURTHER ENQUIRIES Contact: The Health Help Desk at TAFE Queensland Brisbane Online by telephone (07) 3259 4517 or via for administrative or academic enquiries. The Targeted Training Program Coordinator, targeted_training@health.qld.gov.au for all Health related enquiries concerning issues such as the subsidy scheme. Queensland Health Electronic Publishing Service: Updated information is available on this service by clicking on http://www.health.qld.gov.au/cunninghamcentre/html/funding.asp HOW TO APPLY The Course Application Form (CAF) is located at: http://www.health.qld.gov.au/cunninghamcentre/docs/vet/app-frm.pdf ATTACHMENTS To assist you further the following appendices have been provided: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ s) January 2016 PAGE 14
APPENDIX 1 Frequently Asked Questions How long do I have to complete my qualification? There is no set timeframe for completion of the whole qualification. Health s policy is that Certificate IV in Government and Diploma should be completed in 18 Months 2 years. You are responsible for your self-paced study. Your qualification can be completed in twelve weeks or twelve months it s totally up to you. Please be aware that once you have enrolled in a unit there is a deadline for assessment submission. Once enrolled, how long have I got to complete my study? How do I know if I have been enrolled? Once your enrolment has been processed, you will receive a confirmation of enrolment. You have 24 weeks (six months) from the time of enrolment to complete the units you have enrolled in. We suggest that you enrol in 1-2 units at a time. Can I get an extension if I cannot get my assessment completed in time? TAFE Queensland Brisbane has strict rules with regard to the submission of assessment. As enrolments are for a six month period this is a more than achievable timeframe for assessment submission. Extensions will only be granted under extenuating circumstances, and in most cases a Doctor s Certificate will be required. Can I defer my study? TQBO does not offer the option of deferring enrolments. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL): Fast track your way through the qualification! If you have had work and personal experience in our related study areas you may be able complete units or even the whole qualification by RPL! This maybe a much quicker way of completing your qualification depending on the evidence you can provide. Please email your teacher for specific details on the RPL process. Can I email my assignment to you? No, you post your assessment (address details are in your assessment guide) or if your unit is online you upload your assessment through the online facilities. Please retain a copy of any assessment/rpl you send to us. January 2016 PAGE 15
I have studied at TAFE before will this count towards this study? This does depend on the level of your prior study. Please contact your tutor to clarify. Who do I contact for assistance? Our generic email is HealthTutorTOL.Brisbane@tafe.qld.edu.au or contact you teacher directly. We will endeavour to respond to your email within 48 hours. If you urgently require assistance, please call 3259 4517. How will I know if my assessment has been marked? By setting up your notifications area in Connect you will receive a message when your assessment is marked. What does an M grade mean? TAFE assessment is competency based. If you have been sent a Result of Assessment you will see one of the following grades: J Competency achieved M Competency not achieved Do I have to pay for the entire qualification at the start of my study? No, you pay for each unit as you enrol (for self-funding participants). What happens if I fail a unit? In the first instance you will be assessed as not yet competent and you will be given a chance to resubmit your assessment piece. I am struggling to complete my assignment, what services can you offer to help me complete it? Please do not hesitate to contact your Tutor via phone or email for help. I am completing a Diploma of Government but I am not a Manager, do I have to be a Manager to complete this qualification? You do not have to be a Manager, but please be aware that assessment tasks are developed as if you were working at a managerial level. January 2016 PAGE 16