Allied Health Assistant

Allied Health Assistant

Recruitment Resource

Purpose

This document is intended to support managers and allied health professionals to understand Allied Health Assistant (AHA) classification and training in order to ensure ideal recruitment. It includes information from the Supervision and Delegation framework for Allied Health Assistants and Registered Training Organisations (RTOs).

Contents

The Allied Health Assistant Role 2

AHA Classification 2

Summary of AHA Career Structure 3

Registered Training Organisations 3

Allied Health Assistance Training Requirements 4

The ‘Ideal’ Electives 5

Registered Training Organisations offering AHA training 6

Further Information 6

The Allied Health Assistant Role

Allied Health Assistants (AHAs) are the support workforce for Allied Health Professionals (AHPs). They form an integral part of the health workforce by providing appropriately delegated, low risk tasks. Depending on the setting, work may include following treatment plans for therapeutic interventions and/or conducting programs under the regular direct, indirect or remote supervision of an AHP.

The Allied Health Assistants Supervision and Delegation framework was released in 2012 by the Department of Health (Victoria). It provides extensive guidelines regarding supervision of AHAs and delegation of appropriate tasks. This information is also provided via an online learning tool that has been created by Wodonga TAFE.

AHA Classification

Allied Health Assistance is an unregulated industry, meaning there is no governing professional or registration body. Specific AHA training consists of Certificate III or IV in Allied Health Assistance. The grading of a role should be dependent on the position requirements, rather than the qualifications of the candidate. Subsequently, individuals with other qualifications and experience may be suited to the role. A clear scope of practice for each role is essential. For further details see the Supervision & Delegation Framework (2012).

Figure 1. From: Supervision and Delegation Framework for Allied Health Assistants (2012)

As demonstrated in Figure 1, Grade 3 AHA roles include tasks and duties beyond the scope of a Grade 2. Key differences include:

• increased autonomy of own schedule,

• provision of feedback and suggestions about future interventions,

• supervision of Grade 2 AHAs and/or students.

Summary of AHA Career Structure

Preferred qualifications and experience / Grade / Qualification / Experience
Grade 1 AHA / No formal qualifications required. / Experience desirable but not essential
Grade 2 AHA / Certificate III or IV in Allied Health Assistance / Experience desirable but not essential
Grade 3 AHA / Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance / 3-4 years of relevant experience desirable
Preferred equivalent qualifications, for Grade 3 and Grade 2 AHA positions
Note: List is not exhaustive and should be used in conjunction with the candidates experience, then collectively justified. / ·  Bachelor of Applied Sciences (Human Movement)
·  Graduate Diploma in Exercise for Rehabilitation
·  Bachelor of Human Movement and Exercise Science / ·  Diploma of Nursing
·  Bachelor of Nursing
·  Grad Dip. Exercise Rehab
·  Cert IV in working with Disability (preferred depending on the work role environment)
Equivalent qualifications, for Grade 2 AHA positions only
Note: List is not exhaustive and should be used in conjunction with the candidates experience, then collectively justified. / ·  Certificate of applied social science
·  Diploma in Health, fitness and recreation, Anatomy and physiology
·  Cert III Health Services Assistance / ·  Cert lll Personal Care
·  Cert lll Home and Community Care
·  Cert III Aged Care
·  Cert IV in Lifestyle and Leisure (Diversional Therapy)

Registered Training Organisations

How is Allied Health Assistance training decided?

Allied Health Assistance training was previously regulated by the Industry Skills Council. An outcome of government-led reforms in 2015 is that Service Skills Organisations (SSOs) will now assist Industry Reference Committees to review and develop training products (http://www.isc.org.au/). Training is conducted by Registered Training Organisations (RTOs), who are recognised as providers of quality-assured and nationally recognised training and qualifications.

What effect do the mandated changes in 2015 have?

Consultation with industry occurred in 2013, resulting in mandated changes to the courses including:

·  Minimum hours of clinical placement that form part of some units. Placements can be in hospitals, community settings, rehabilitation centres and special needs schools. They are organized by RTO’s and fees for clinical placement are negotiable.

o  Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance – 80 hours minimum

o  Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance – 120 hours minimum

·  Repackaging the units, and decreasing the overall number of Certificate IV units from 22 to 16 through:

o  Removal of three core units: infection control, patient movement, assist with an allied health program

o  Reduction in core communication units, and

o  Increase in anatomy and physiology units.

What does this mean for health services?

As of June 2015 all student cohorts will have undertaken clinical placement as part of training. However, there is now an increased onus on workplaces to ensure appropriate training in local infection control and manual handling policies and techniques, as these components have been reduced within the training, and to provide training in higher level, complex communication skills.

Allied Health Assistance Training Requirements

The Certificate III qualification is no longer the most desirable level of training for candidates; however, it may be appropriate for generic Grade 2 AHA roles. The Certificate IV qualification allows for the AHA to be trained in generic skills, or in a specialist area if completed in groups of electives.

Following is an outline of core and elective units of both training programs (current as of April 2016). Please note that changes occur regularly. Updates can be identified via http://www.myskills.gov.au/.

Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance
HLT33015 / Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance
HLT43015
Length of training / Full-time: 12 months / Full-time: 12 months – 3 days a week
Clinical Placements / 80 hours / 120 hours
No. of Core Units / 8 units / 7 units
No. of electives / 3 units / 9 units
Total Units / 11 units / 16 units
Option to specialise / No / Yes
Certificate III – HLT33015 - Core Units
CHCCCS010 / Maintain a high standard of service
CHCCOM005 / Communicate and work in health or community services
CHCDIV001 / Work with diverse people
HLTAAP001 / Recognise healthy body systems
HLTAHA001 / Assist with an allied health program
HLTINF001 / Comply with infection prevention and control policies and procedures
HLTWHS001 / Participate in workplace health and safety
BSBMED301 / Interpret and apply medical terminology appropriately
Certificate IV - HLT43015 - Core Units
CHCCOM005 / Communicate and work in health or community services
CHCDIV001 / Work with diverse people
CHCLEG003 / Manage legal and ethical compliance
HLTAAP001 / Recognise healthy body systems
HLTAAP002 / Confirm physical health status
HLTWHS002 / Follow safe work practices for direct client care
BSBMED301 / Interpret and apply medical terminology appropriately
ELECTIVES
PHYSIOTHERAPY specialisation
HLTAHA003 / Deliver and monitor a client-specific physiotherapy program
HLTAHA005 / Support the delivery and monitoring of physiotherapy programs for mobility
PODIATRY specialisation
HLTAHA006 / Assist with basic foot hygiene
HLTAHA007 / Assist with podiatric procedures
HLTAHA008 / Assist with podiatry assessment and exercise
OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY specialisation
HLTAHA010 / Assist with the development and maintenance of client functional status
HLTAHA016 / Support the fitting of assistive equipment
SPEECH PATHOLOGY specialisation
HLTAHA012 / Support the development of speech and communication skills
HLTAHA013 / Provide support in dysphagia management
HLTAHA014 / Assist and support the use of augmentative and alternative communication systems
COMMUNITY REHABILITATION specialisation
HLTAHA004 / Support client independence and community participation
HLTAHA024 / Work within a community rehabilitation environment
NUTRITION and DIETETICS specialisation
HLTAHA018 / Assist with planning and evaluating meals and menus to meet recommended dietary guidelines
HLTAHA019 / Assist with the monitoring and modification of meals and menus according to individualised plans
HLTAHA020 / Support food services in menu and meal order processing
HLTAHA021 / Assist with screening and implementation of therapeutic diets
MENTAL HEALTH electives
HLTCSD306D / Respond effectively to behaviours of concern
CHCMH301C / Work effectively in mental health
CHCMH411A / Work with people with mental health issues

How is the training and assessment conducted?

Both certificates are competency based training, where there is focus on what the learner’s ability to perform tasks for the job. There are no tests, as students are required to complete a range of assessments to determine whether they have the necessary skills and knowledge.

Students may progress through their training at different rates according to their level of competence. A range of assessment methods are utilised, and assessments may be repeated until the student demonstrates competency. The time required for each unit ranges from 20 to 60 hours according to the volume of work for that unit.

The ‘Ideal’ Electives

Following the completion of the Allied Health Assistant Implementation program, a collaborative group was established to address core competencies for Allied Health Assistants. Four core competencies have been produced: group therapy, individual therapy, equipment and environment and communication of patient information. These four core competencies are also supported by learning packages that guide the education requirements and assessment guidelines. They are designed to be utilised within the workplace.

Consultations with RTOs have identified the alignment of these core competencies with the units offered through RTOs. The following two core units cover some general aspects of communication and clinical reporting. These form part of the requirements within three of the four core competency areas:

·  CHCCOM005 Communicate and work in health or community services

·  HLTAAP001 Recognise healthy body system

The following three elective units when delivered in combination teach to the additional requirements of the four core competency areas.

IDEAL electives
HLTAHA001 / Assist with an allied health program
HLTAHA003 / Deliver and monitor a client-specific physiotherapy program
HLTAHA011 / Conduct group sessions for individual client outcomes

Registered Training Organisations offering AHA training

An extensive list of RTOs that offer Certificate III and IV in Allied Health Assistance can be found at www.myskills.gov.au. As of April 2016, the following Victorian based RTOs offer the courses. Other interstate RTOs offer on-line coursework, and other Victorian RTOs have offered the equivalent training in the past (eg. Mayfield).

Registered Training Organisation (RTO) / Certificate III / Certificate IV
Bendigo Kangan Institute (trading as Bendigo TAFE) /  / 
Box Hill Institute / 
Chisholm Institute /  / 
Gordon Institute of TAFE / 
Holmesglen Institute /  / 
RMIT /  / 
Wodonga Institute of TAFE / 
Sunraysia Instituteof TAFE / 
Stanborough Wemyss Contacting Pty Ltd, (SWC Training) / 
Upper Murray Health & Community Services (Australian Institute of Flexible Learning) Corryong, /  / 
Victorian Fitness Academy / 
Victorian University / 

Further Information

Allied Health Assistant Supervision and Delegation Framework (released 2012)

https://www2.health.vic.gov.au/Api/downloadmedia/%7BF177E7BA-BE67-4A28-9A87-B62BC8634762%7D

Supervision and Delegation Framework e-Learning Module – to be available via DHHS website June 2016

Launched by DHHS to ensure a sustainable model of training for AHPs and AHAs in the Framework. It consists of four units, with correlating assessment. It can be conducted individually or in a team discussion setting.

ASK app – to be available through app store June 2016

An iphone and ipad application designed to assist AHPs to delegate appropriate tasks through the use of a decision tree. Also has AHA core and clinical competencies accessible for download.

Allied Health Assistant Core competencies

·  AHA Core competencies: Individual therapy, group therapy, communication of patient information and equipment and environment.

·  Competency template

·  Learning packages and case studies

http://www.nepcp.org.au/resources/allied-health-assistants-implementation-program-%E2%80%93-ne-hub

AHA Facebook page – ‘Allied Health Assistant Network’ page

Intended to provide social networking opportunities for AHAs and AHPs.

April 2016 Page 5 of 6