Allied Health Assistance Training Package Project: Endorsed - Awaiting Publication

Background

In 2018–2019 the Direct Client Care and Support IRC identified that Health Assistance and Health Support Services Qualifications were in need of being updated to fill gaps in the knowledge and skills of workers within these Direct Client Care and Support sub-sectors. Using and implementing technology, recognising and responding appropriately to abuse, and providing person-centred customer service are skills that workers within the sector need now and will need in the future.

Developing cultural awareness and competency to interact with and support the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds, and the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Intersex and Queer/Questioning (LGBTIQ) communities is also important for workers within this sector.

This project will update the Allied Health Assistance Training Package Products under the remit of the Direct Client Care and Support IRC in response to the Key Drivers for Change findings, located in the 2018 - 2019 Industry Skills Forecast.

This review related to the Qualifications and Units of Competency under the remit of the Direct Client Care and Support IRC which are contained in the HLT Training Package.

Project Governance

This project was overseen by the Direct Client Care and Support IRC. The membership of this Committee is as follows:



Members of the Direct Client Care and Support IRC also consulted with technical specialists in their respective sub-sectors to inform the final content.

Subject matter experts from across Australia provided:

• guidance at the national level to ensure Training Package Products are flexible and responsive to changing needs and practices
• specialist advice and strategic direction in relation to stakeholder feedback and issues relevant to their sector
• views and feedback on behalf of the sector/organisation they represent
• support and facilitation of communication and consultation with others, including other members of their organisations, association members and other networks.

Direct engagement was also provided by key industry bodies who ensured the final changes were consistent with industry needs and expectations. The key industry bodies included representatives from:

• Allied Health Professions Australia
• Audiology Australia
• Australian Chiropractors Association
• Australian Podiatry Association
• Australian Orthotic Prosthetic Association
• Australian Psychological Society
• Australian Society of Medical Imaging and Radiation Therapy
• Exercise and Sports Science Australia
• Occupational Therapy Australia
• Osteopathy Australia
• Speech Pathology Australia.


Project Status - Endorsed - Awaiting Publication 

Qualifications

• HLT23221 Certificate II in Health Support Services
• HLT33021 Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance
• HLT43021 Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance.

Skill Sets

• HLTSS00074 Allied Health Assistance – Rehabilitation and Reablement Skill Set
• HLTSS00075 Allied Health Assistance - Nutrition and Dietetics Skill Set
• HLTSS00076 Allied Health Assistance - Psychosocial Skill Set
• HLTSS00077 Allied Health Assistance - Movement and Mobility Skill Set
• HLTSS00078 Allied Health Assistance - Medical Imaging Skill Set
• HLTSS00079 Allied Health Assistance – Podiatry Skill Set
• HLTSS00080 Allied Health Assistance – Communication and Hearing Skill Set.

Units of Competency 

HLTAHA Units 

• HLTAHA027 Assist with an allied health program
• HLTAHA028 Deliver and monitor physical and manual therapy programs
• HLTAHA029 Support independence and community participation
• HLTAHA030 Assist with basic foot care
• HLTAHA031 Assist in rehabilitation programs
• HLTAHA032 Support maintenance of functional status
• HLTAHA033 Conduct group sessions for individual outcomes
• HLTAHA034 Support the development of speech and communication skills
• HLTAHA035 Provide support in dysphagia management
• HLTAHA036 Assist and support the use of augmentative and alternative communication system
• HLTAHA037 Deliver and monitor a hydrotherapy program
• HLTAHA038 Support the use of orthoses or prostheses
• HLTAHA039 Assist in the development of meals and menus to meet dietary and cultural requirements
• HLTAHA040 Assist with the monitoring and modification of meals and menus according to individualised plans
• HLTAHA041 Support food services and dietetics in menu and meal order processing
• HLTAHA042 Assist with screening and management of nutritional risk
• HLTAHA043 Support the provision of basic nutritional advice and education
• HLTAHA044 Work within a community rehabilitation environment
• HLTAHA045 Assist people management in medical imaging
• HLTAHA046 Support the medical imaging professional
• HLTAHA047 Engage with clinical supervision and delegation
• HLTAHA048 Provide allied health assistance in remote or isolated settings
• HLTAHA049 Recognise impact of health conditions
• HLTAHA050 Assist with podiatry exercise
• HLTAHA051 Assist with podiatric procedures
• HLTAHA052 Assist with social work
• HLTAHA053 Support and deliver individual hearing rehabilitation program.

HLTSHS Units 

• HLTHSS009 Perform general cleaning tasks in a clinical setting
• HLTHSS010 Handle and move equipment, goods and mail
• HLTHSS011 Maintain inventory
• HLTHSS012 Handle medical gases safely.

The Case for Endorsement and Final Drafts of the Allied Health Assistance Training Package Products were approved at the October 2021 AISC meeting and have been endorsed by State and Territory Skills Ministers. However, due to the delay in finalising the Individual Support project (see here for further details) the Allied Health Assistance Training Package Products are currently awaiting publication on training.gov.au. At this time, we are unable to provide a date for publication, however, we will advise stakeholders via an e-blast when this occurs.


Further Information

For more information, or to discuss, please contact Gary Dunshea at gary.dunshea@skillsiq.com.au or by phone on (02) 9392 8100 or 0499 908 843.