Allied Health Assistance – Certificate IV

Description

Allied health assistants provide support to health professionals including physiotherapists, occupational therapists and speech pathologists. They focus on rehabilitation and promoting optimal health.

They may work with patients as they carry out routine physiotherapy or hydrotherapy exercises with individuals or groups.

Other roles include helping to implement general care and assisting with ongoing therapy as directed, as well as working with patients in recreational and leisure activities.

Allied health assistants may also support the training of disabled persons in self-care and daily living activities.

Work is not limited to hospitals. Allied health assistants can also find employment in community health, rehabilitation centres or undertaking home visits.

You will attend classes one day per week, with three one-week blocks, and eight evening classes over the year.

You will be required to undertake 180 hours of clinical placement. This is generally undertaken on a full time basis.

Clinical training is arranged and conducted though RMIT, but students are encouraged to seek their own placements.

Placements may take place in community settings, rehabilitation centres and special needs schools.

According to the Australian Government’s Job Outlook, the job prospects for allied health assistants are good, with employment expected to grow very strongly in the next five years.

Job opportunities exist in a variety of areas including:

•acute care (hospitals)
•rehabilitation centres
•aged care facilities
•community and primary healthcare
•school that are involved with the delivery of programs for children with special needs.

Requirements

RMIT has general requirements of entry which applicants are required to meet in order to demonstrate their capacity to successfully complete an RMIT program. The general requirements of entry for undergraduate programs can be found at www.rmit.edu.au/policies/students/selection.

Selection is based on a combination of interview and an internal literacy and numeracy test.

Note: The VETASSESS test is an acceptable substitute for the internal literacy and numeracy test. Details can be obtained from the VETASSESS website.

Notes

Students must complete a National Police Records Check each calendar year and hold a valid working with Children check before undertaking the clinical components of this program.

Successful applicants must be adequately vaccinated.

For further information see: www.health.vic.gov.au/immunization/general/guide/guide_hcw

Failure to hold satisfactory checks and vaccinations usually results in students being unable to complete the program.