Other Careers, TAFE and Traineeships
Section 4: Other Careers, TAFE and Traineeships Certificates and Diplomas in Health If you want a career in health, but don t want to go to university, a Certificate or Diploma level Qualification may be the option you are looking for. These Qualifications are part of the Vocational Education and Training (VET) sector of education in Australia. Some are offered during Year 10, 11 and/or 12 under the VET in Schools program. However, if you don t start your Qualification during school, you can always commence after your have finished high school or if you are a mature age entrant looking to update your skills or learn new ones. These Qualifications are often shorter in duration and are generally comprised of some classroom study and a high level of practical work. Qualifications are based on demonstrating competency in the relevant field so the assessors like to see that you can complete practical examples of the work tasks. Where are they offered? Certificate and Diploma Qualifications are offered by Registered Training Organisations (RTO s) in Australia and are generally recognised nationally. Queensland s largest RTO is TAFE and this organisation provides a large variety of institutes and campuses to offer more options for learners. Below is a selection of the types of careers you could pursue after completing the respective course at TAFE, together with the TAFE Institute(s) that currently offer the course. For more details about the TAFE courses listed and others, please visit the individual TAFE Institutes website which you can find by visiting the TAFE Queensland website www.tafe.qld.gov.au or phoning 1300 308 233. Health Career Aged Care Worker / Community Support Worker / Home Care Assistant / Nursing Assistant / Personal Care Worker Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Care Worker Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Worker (Community Care / Senior Aboriginal and/ or Torres Strait Islander Worker / Community Health Worker Course Certificate III and IV in Aged Care Work Certificate III in Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health (Community Care) TAFE Institution(s) offering the course Barrier Reef, Brisbane North, Central Qld, Gold Coast, Metropolitan South, Southern Qld, Sunshine Coast, Wide Bay Bremer, Tropical Nth, Southern Qld Southern Qld
Allied Health Assistant / Therapy Assistant / Physiotherapy, Podiatry, Speech Pathology, Occupation Therapy Assistant Anaesthetic Technician / Anaesthetic paramedical officer Dental Assistant Dental Prosthetist Dental Technician Disability support worker / Lifestyle support officer / Residential Care officer / Aged Carer Enrolled Nurse Laundry Leader / Maintenance Supervisor / Senior Kitchen Hand Medical Assistant / Medial Reception Medical Assistant (Defence Force) / Ambulance Work Mental health outreach worker / Mental health rehabilitation support worker Optical Dispenser Pathology Assistant / Phlebotomist / Medical Laboratory Technician Sterilising Assistant or Sterilising Technician Supervisor / Assistant Manager Veterinary Nurse Wards Person / Orderly / Medical Orderly / Nursing Assistant / Operating Theatre Technician / Patient Services Assistant / Wards person Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance Diploma of Paramedical Science - Anaesthesia Certificate III in Dental Assisting Advanced Diploma of Dental Prosthetics Diploma of Dental Technology Disability Work Diploma of Nursing (Enrolled Nursing) Can go on to do Advanced Diploma of Nursing (Enrolled Nursing) Certificate III in Health Support Services Certificate III Business A d m i n i s t r a t i o n (Medical) Certificate III in Basic Health Care Mental Health Optical Dispensing Certificate III in Pathology Certificate III and IV in Laboratory Skills Certificate III in Sterilisation Services Heath Supervision Veterinary Nursing Certificate III in Health Service Assistance Tropical North QLD Southbank Southbank, Sunshine Coast Southbank Southbank Barrier Reef, Bremer, Central Qld, My Isa, Southern Qld, Sunshine Coast, Tropical North Qld, Wide Bay Barrier Reef, Bremer, Brisbane North, Central Qld, Gold Coast, Metropolitan South, Southbank, Southern Qld, Sunshine Coast, Tropical North Qld Sunshine Coast, Wide Bay Wide Bay, Metropolitan South, Gold Coast Tropical North QLD Wide Bay, Tropical North, Sunshine Coast, Metropolitan South Tropical North QLD Southbank Central Qld, Barrier Reef, Southbank, Sunshine Coast Southbank Tropical North Qld Brisbane North Barrier Reef, Gold Coast, Southern Qld, Sunshine Coast Tropical Nth Qld, Wide Bay
The courses above, plus others in the Health and Community Services industries may also be offered by other RTO s around Queensland and Australia. RTO s often specialise in an industry or offer only one or two courses depending on their specialty area of business. For example, the Certificate III in Nutrition and Dietetic Assistant is not offered at TAFE, but the Ashley Institute of Training in Brisbane. For more information about other RTO s that deliver training in the Health Sector, please visit the following websites: Community Services and Health Industry Skills Council www.cshisc.com.au CSHISC consult with the Health and Community Services sector to develop and maintain high quality Training Packages (i.e. the Certificates and Diploma s). They have a fantastic search engine on their website to find out about what courses are offered and where they are offered. Simply navigate to Qualifications and Job Search. National Training Information Service www.ntis.gov.au The NTIS is the official national register of Training Packages, Qualifications, Courses, and RTO s. Training Packages are the overarching package that lists the many Qualifications available in that industry. For example, the Health Training Package, HLT07, lists the 86 Qualifications that you are able to study in health (from Certificate II through to Advanced Diploma). They also provide a listing of which RTO s deliver the different Qualifications. Queensland Training Information Service under the QLD Department of Education and Training www.training.qld.gov.au On this website you should find a link to the Queensland Training and Information Service (QTIS). This search engine is very comprehensive and you can find out about the Qualification and the RTO s in Queensland that deliver the course. Training.com.au www.training.com.au This site is designed to be a one stop shop for employers, training organisations, and learners to access the vast array of information on the Vocational Education and Training sector. Navigate Training Organisations and then Courses and Training Packages. You will then be able to complete a search for RTO s in your area and the courses they offer. How do I get started? Getting started with your training in the VET sector often means a lot of phone calls and collaboration with other organisations. The first step is similar to if you were deciding to go to University. You need to firstly choose what type of career you want to have! Firstly, you can use this book and other HCB resources such as the CD and 1. videos to learn more about the types of job available in health and what that job entails. 2. Secondly, there are a number of other websites you can investigate to learn more about yourself and what jobs you may enjoy.
Careers That Matter www.careersthatmatter.com.au They have a great range of profiles on different careers and tools to help you plan your career pathway. There are also videos and other careers advice and is a great place for parents to discover the world of health as well. Search for the link to their Career Map which provides a series of questions that result in some suggested career pathways. Job Guide www.jobguide.thegoodguides.com.au The Job Guide booklet is distributed to all schools in Australia with Year 10 students. It has information on hundreds of careers and their training pathways. On the website there are also some tools for career development, understanding VET in schools, and Australian Apprenticeships. Job Outlook www.joboutlook.gov.au There is a career quiz on this website which can provide an overview of your preference towards practical based careers, technical or analytical careers. myfuture www.myfuture.edu.au This site has a questionnaire that can help you understand more about your strengths and weaknesses and learn about the kinds of job you would like. They also have an extensive range of health career profiles, videos, information on funding and scholarships plus much more! 3. When you have come up with a few options of specific jobs or a general understanding of the type of work you would like to do, then you need to talk with your school about your ideas. It is wonderful if you, your school, and your parents could sit down together to chat about the options available for you. If you know what kind of work you would like to do, then you will need to find a Registered Training Organisation in your area that can deliver that specific course. Sometimes, you may need to travel to access the nearest RTO with your course, or you may need to move away from home to study the course you would like. If you are in Year 9 or 10, you may be able to start studying towards that Qualification during school. That brings us to traineeships.
Traineeships and Apprenticeships in the health industry Being a trainee or an apprentice means you will be studying towards your Qualification while also undergoing paid employment with a relevant organisation. The organisation you work for will assist you to complete the required work experience components of your course and they will work in partnership with your RTO to talk about how they will assist you complete your course. Note: You do not have to complete your Qualification while being an apprentice or trainee. You can complete a Certificate of Diploma Qualification as a stand alone study course. Some Qualifications are able to be started while you are still in school and these are called School Based Apprenticeships and Traineeships. Your RTO, the local business (with whom you do your traineeship) and your school would need to come together to talk about the requirements of the course and how it would affect your schooling. This will ensure that you still meet the requirements of gaining your Queensland Certificate of Education at the end of Year 12. Some useful websites for more information are: Apprenticeships Info www.apprenticeshipsinfo.qld.gov.au This Queensland Government website provides a fantastic step by step guide in becoming an apprentice or trainee during and after school. There is a comprehensive amount of information for Students, Parents, Schools, and Business. Australian Apprenticeships Job Pathways www.aajobpathways.com.au This is a fantastic website where you can search under the health industry to find out what Apprenticeships and Traineeships are currently offered in Queensland (both school based and non-school based). They also have a great map of pathways in the health system through Vocational Education. Careers That Matter www.careersthatmatter.com.au The same website that was listed above also has information in Traineeships and Apprenticeships in the health industry. Queensland Department of Education and Training www.training.qld.gov.au On this website you will find information in Queensland traineeships and apprenticeships. There is also a service called Queensland Training and Information Service (QTIS) that allows you to search for Qualifications and RTO s in Queensland that offer the training. Queensland Health - Work For Us www.health.qld.gov.au/workforus Queensland Health are the major employer of health professionals in Queensland. They offer a wide range of Health Career Traineeships such as Aged Care, Community Services, Allied Health Assistant, Pathology and Nutrition and Dietetic. These are offered as full-time and school based and applications are accepted between October and March. There is a fact sheet on their website.
Careers in Natural Health and Complementary Therapies If you are interested in the health industry but would like to practice holistic, natural, and complementary therapies then the following courses may be of interest to you. Health Career Acupuncturist Aromatherapist Career Details The practice of acupuncture is based on the understanding that there is an energy in all living bodies which, if blocked or upset, can result in illness. Acupuncture is used to strengthen the body s natural healing mechanisms and rectify imbalances. Acupuncture practitioners use needles, lasers, moxibustion and finger pressure on specific points all over the human body to restore the harmonious flow of energy. Acupuncturists treat a wide range of health problems including muscle or joint disorders, stress- related problems, menstrual problems, migraine and lower back pain. Aromatherapy uses aromatic essential oils to enhance wellbeing and to stimulate a healthy physical, mental and emotional state. Aromatherapists blend specific therapeutic essential oils for each individual and suggest methods of use such as topical application, massage, inhalation or water immersion to stimulate the desired responses. Course(s) Available Bachelor of Health Science - Acupuncture Certificate and Diploma of Aromatherapy Aromatherapy (TAFE Southern QLD) Holistic Counsellor / Mind-Body Medicine Therapist The courses look at the role in which the mind and spirit have impacting on our physical health and wellbeing. A counsellor uses interviews, listening, supportive understanding, reconditioning, empowering and other verbal techniques to help clients cope with shock and trauma, personal crisis, abuse, relationship problems, negative life and behaviour patterns and many other personal issues. The Holistic Counsellor also uses natural medicine to help in healing the whole person. Certificate IV, Diploma and Advanced Diploma of Holistic Counselling and Mind-Body Medicine Homeopath Homeopaths use small dilutions of botanical, mineral and other substances to treat specific ailments. They prescribe therapeutic measures to assist the body s ability to health itself. Advanced Diploma of Homeopathy Massage Therapist/ Remedial Massage Therapist Massage involves healing by touch. Working with the soft tissues of the body including muscles, tendons and ligaments, the massage therapist helps improve the function of joints and muscles, promote circulation and general body tone and assists with relieving mental and physical fatigue. Massage Therapy Practice Massage Therapy Practice (TAFE multiple locations) Diploma of Remedial Massage Diploma of Remedial Massage (TAFE multiple locations)
Musculoskeletal Therapist Naturopath Nutritional Medicine Reflexologist Musculoskeletal Therapy is a new profession that advances the knowledge, critical thinking and practical skills base of remedial massage therapy. Musculoskeletal therapists assess and treat the musculoskeletal system using various specialised soft tissue techniques. These include myofascial release, muscle energy, neuromuscular and stretching techniques to prevent and alleviate pain and enhance movement and function. The role of the naturopath is to facilitate healing through teaching the natural way of life, which advocates fresh air, pure water, wholesome foods and exercise to promote and maintain optimum wellbeing. Contemporary naturopathy draws on both Western health science and traditional healing methods to treat a wide variety of health conditions. The study of naturopathy includes herbal medicine, diet and nutrition, mineral therapy and naturopathic diagnostic techniques including iris analysis. Nutritional medicine practitioners apply knowledge of the therapeutic and preventive potential of food, diet, micronutrients (vitamins, minerals and trace elements) to maintain and promote clients health. The nutritionist may plan appropriate personal diets and prescribe nutritional supplements for general well being, or to treat clients with specific health conditions. Reflexology is a technique for stimulating the body s own natural healing response by applying pressure with the thumbs and fingers to reflex points in the feet and hands. Each reflex point corresponds to a particular part of the body, including organs and glands. By working on these reflex points, the Reflexologists can trigger physiological changes in the body. Bachelor of Health Science (Musculoskeletal Therapy) Bachelor of Health Science - Naturopathy Bachelor of Naturopathy (Southern Cross Uni) Bachelor of Health Science - Nutritional Medicine Diploma of Reflexology Diploma of Reflexology (TAFE Sunshine Coast) Shiatsu Therapist Shiatsu is a dynamic body therapy in which the therapist interacts with the receiver to restore balance in the energy system. Imbalance, that is, too little or too much chi, can manifest in various ailments, depending on which meridians are affected Diploma of Shiatsu and Oriental Therapies (TAFE Tropical North QLD) Western Herbal Medicine Practitioner/ Phytotherapist / Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioner Herbal medicine is a system of natural health care that uses plants including flowers, fruits, leaves, roots, bark or whole plants to treat or prevent illness and restore the body s balance. Practitioners of herbal medicine assist people with dietary, vitamin and mineral needs. Bachelor of Health Science - Western Herbal Medicine Advanced Diploma of Western Herbal Medicine (TAFE Sunshine Coast) Remember, there may be other RTO s in Queensland that offer the above courses, not just the ones we have listed here. If you visit Job Guide at www.jobguide.thegoodguides.com.au or myfuture at www.myfuture.edu.au, they will show you some more study location options.
Other Members of the Health Care Team Administration Administrative Officer Administrator Medical Records Business Manager Client Support Officer Complaints Officer Data Manager Education Coordinator Employee Relations Officer Executive Support Officer Research Officer Switchboard Operator Unit Secretary Operational support services Anaesthetic Assistant Audiometrist Carpenter Catering Officer Cleaner Community Health Aide Cook Counsellor Dark Room Attendant Dietary Aide Electrician Fire, Safety and Security Officer Food Preparation Assistant Gardener / Groundsperson Home Help Coordinator Instrument Maker and Repairer Kitchen Hand Laundry Hand Library Assistant Maintenance Officer Mortuary Attendant Operating Theatre Assistant Operational Services Officer Painter Pathology Assistant Pharmacy Assistant Plumber Porter
Scientific Assistant Senior Health Worker Sterilisation Assistant Sterilisation Unit Operator Storeperson Supervisor Wardsperson Technical support Clinical Measurement Computer Programmer Computer Systems Officer Dental Prosthetist Electronic Technician Help Desk Operator Instrument Technician Laboratory Technician Prosthetist School Dental Therapist Social Work Associate Welfare Officer X-Ray Engineer Others Biomedical Engineer Child Guidance Therapist Community Recreation Officer Community Worker Genetic Counsellor Patient Support Assistant Perfusionist Physicist Phlebotomist Prosthetist Rehabilitation Coordinators Scientist