HEALTH SERVICES ASSISTANCE

> Qualifications & Pathways • Traineeships • VET In Schools • Peak Bodies & Key Stakeholders • Resources

NSW Context

The Assisting in nursing stream in HLT32507 Certificate III in Health Services Assistance qualification is recognised in NSW as appropriate for the Assistant in Nursing job role. The Assistant in Nursing stream is designed to provide access to employment and ultimately a career pathway as a nurse in the acute care sector. The assistant in nursing works as part of the nursing team, with registered and enrolled nurses, to assist and provide support in the delivery of nursing care. The qualification provides a clearly articulated pathway from assistant in nursing to enrolled nurse.

This qualification is not appropriate for working in an aged care facility in NSW.

Immunisation: Health workers and learners undertaking work placement in NSW Health facilities must comply with the assessment, screening and vaccination requirements of Policy Directive PD2007_006

Employment Screening Policy : Health workers and learners undertaking work placement in NSW Health facilities must comply with the Employment Screening Policy. This Policy Directive sets out the mandatory requirements and procedures for the undertaking of Employment Screening of preferred applicants seeking employment for paid and unpaid positions, which includes the Working With Children Check, the Aged Care Check and the National Criminal Record Check. Further detail at Policy Directive PD2008_029

Qualifications and Pathways

HLT32507 Certificate III in Health Services Assistance

HLT42007 Certificate IV in Operating Theatre Technical Support

Recognition

Recognition of prior learning (RPL) is a significant pathway for candidates to attain a national training package qualification. There has been strong support from Commonwealth and NSW governments for RTOs to find innovative and accessible RPL strategies and approaches.

NSW Department of Education and Training is actively assisting this quest for improved RPL pathways and has worked in partnership across many industry sectors to pilot best practice models of recognition and develop supporting resources. Some of the innovation recognition pathways trialled included group, project and workplace based models.

Resources and further details are available at State Training Services

Traineeships

The Vocational Training Board establishes traineeships in NSW. Through a consultative process between peak industry groups, employers and unions, facilitated by the ITAB, qualifications are identified that meet industry requirements and have appropriate award arrangements. This information is submitted to the Board for the declaration of a vocational training order in accordance with NSW legislation.

As qualifications have a vocational training order established, they are posted on the NSW DET Commissioner’s Bulletin. Further advice is available from NSW DET www.training.nsw.gov.au

Current Health Services Assistance traineeship in NSW is:

HLT32507 Certificate III in Health Services Assistance

NOTE: The Human Services Curriculum Framework includes provision for school-based trainees to gain unit credit towards the HSC for the school-based formal training component of their traineeship. See VET in Schools section below.

New payroll tax arrangements for apprentices and trainees

New arrangements for the payment of payroll tax for apprentices and trainees in NSW take effect from 1 July 2008.

Currently, wages paid to apprentices and new entrant trainees in NSW are exempt from payroll tax. From 1 July 2008, this exemption will no longer apply and all employers will be required to include the wages and salaries paid to apprentices and new entrant trainees in their payroll tax calculation. Further information available from Office of State Revenue click here

VET in Schools

The Health Services Assistance qualifications in the HLT07 Health Training Package have not been identified as suitable for VET in Schools pathways.

For more information about VET in Schools in NSW visit: https://www.det.nsw.edu.au/vetinschools/

The NSW Board of Studies is responsible for the inclusion of training package qualifications in the HSC studies. Further information is available at www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au .

Human Services Curriculum Framework

Industry curriculum frameworks provide high school students with the opportunity to gain industry-recognised national vocational qualifications under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) as part of their NSW Higher School Certificate (HSC).

Industry curriculum frameworks include an optional HSC examination which eligible students may elect to undertake. Students who choose to sit the HSC examination can have the results of the examination count towards their Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR).

The qualifications available in the Human Services Curriculum Framework are:
• Certificate III in Aged Care (CHC30208)
• Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance (HLT32407)
• Certificate III in Health Services Assistance (HLT32507)

There are 2 programs in the Human Services Curriculum Framework, a 360 hour course or 240 hour course. If undertaking the Certificate III in Health Services Assistance pathway in the Human Services Curriculum Framework students may choose electives appropriate for specific job roles and must complete mandatory work placement hours as follows:

Assisting in nursing in acute care- 105 hours including 20 hours in an acute care setting (for the 360 hour course) or 70 hours (for the 240 hour course)

Operating theatre technician work- 105 hours including 20 hours in an acute care setting (for the 360 hour course) or 70 hours (for the 240 hour course)

Generic- all other work functions- 105 hours (for the 360 hour course) or 70 hours (for the 240 hour course)

Details and all documentation are available on the Board’s website at www.boardofstudies.nsw.edu.au/syllabus_hsc/human-services.html.

Peak Bodies and Key Stakeholders

NSW Nurses’ Association

The registered union for all nurses in New South Wales. The Association represents the industrial interest of nurses employed under all awards and agreements registered in this State in both the public and private sectors. Its role is to protect the interests of nurses and the nursing profession.

NSW Health

The state government department that covers all aspects of public health in NSW

Resources

Please contact NSW Community Services and Health ITAB regarding training and assessment resource needs for the qualifications or skills sets in this industry sector.

Other resources may be available from industry peaks, National Training Information Service (NTIS), Registered Training Organisations and Community Services and Health Industry Skills Council.