Published: 29th June 2022.
Written by Jodie Magrath
Working in the health industry is both interesting and rewarding. You’ll get to support patients and clients and see them progress through their health journey. Whether you want to work in administration, allied health or patient support, this sector provides numerous career opportunities. You might also specialise in an area such as dental assistance or pathology collection. If you’re not sure which qualification would be best for you, here are some of the most popular choices for further study in health:
Certificate III in Health Administration
A Certificate III in Health Administration is a great way to get started in this exciting industry. You’ll be prepared to work in roles such as admissions clerk, dental receptionist, medical receptionist, medical secretary, patient liaison officer, practice manager, therapy aide or ward clerk. This course covers topics such as understanding medical terminology, following infection control procedures and working with a diverse range of people.
Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance
The Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance is the qualification you need to provide support in allied health fields such as occupational therapy, physiotherapy or podiatry. You’ll learn to understand allied health programs, recognise healthy body systems and use medical terminology. This course will prepare you for roles such as allied health assistant, medical imaging assistant, occupational therapy assistant or therapy aide.
Certificate III in Business (Medical Administration)
If you’re planning to work in health administration, you should consider enrolling in a Certificate III in Business (Medical Administration). This course will allow you to work as an admissions clerk, dental receptionist, medical receptionist or ward clerk in places such as hospitals, clinics and doctor’s surgeries. You’ll cover topics such as processing medical accounts, controlling stock and supplies, patient confidentiality and managing patient records.
Certificate III in Health Services Assistance
A Certificate III in Health Services Assistance can lead to a rewarding career supporting nursing work in an acute care environment. You might be employed as an allied health assistant, hospital attendant, nursing assistant, operating theatre technician, patient care assistant, patient services assistant or ward assistant. This course covers first aid, transporting and assisting patients in acute care and the fundamentals of the Australian health system.
Certificate III in Pathology Collection
The Certificate III in Pathology Collection is an ideal qualification if you’re interested in working as a pathology collector or phlebotomist. You’ll develop the skills required in pathology units or testing centres such as collecting blood and other pathology samples and preparing, recording and despatching samples for testing. This course allows you to choose elective to suit your career plans such as electrocardiography (ECG), first aid, recognising healthy body systems or drug and abuse testing.
Certificate III in Dental Assisting
If you’d like to start a career in the dental sector, a Certificate III in Dental Assisting could be a good choice. This course will give you the skills to work as a dental assistant or dental nurse in a range of healthcare settings. You’ll learn to maintain high standards of infection control, work in health and community services, provide first aid and assist in dental radiography.
Certificate IV in Health Administration
The Certificate IV in Health Administration is an excellent qualification if you want to take on a senior or supervisory role in medical administration. This course can lead to positions such as admissions clerk, dental receptionist, dental office manager, medical receptionist, medical secretary, patient liaison officer, practice manager, ward clerk or senior clinical coder. You’ll covers topics including communicating with clients in a medical environment and leading a team of staff.
Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance (Nutrition and Dietetics)
A Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance (Nutrition and Dietetics) is a great way to specialise your skills in the allied health field. You’ll be prepared to work alongside dieticians and nutritionists in roles such as allied health assistant, dietetic assistant, dietitian and nutrition assistant. This course will give you the skills to modify meals and menus to meet different nutritional requirements, help implement therapeutic diets and evaluate meals and menus.
Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance (Occupational Therapy)
A Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance (Occupational Therapy) can give you the skills to assist with occupational therapy programs. You’ll support the work of qualified occupational therapists and may be employed in roles such as allied health assistant, occupational therapy assistant or therapy aide. This course will develop your interpersonal skills and give you the ability to support groups such as the elderly, people with dementia or people with chronic disease.
Diploma of Practice Management
If you’re planning to take on a role managing a medical or dental practice, a Diploma of Practice Management is the qualification you need. You might be employed in roles such as practice manager, patient liaison officer or ward clerk. This course covers a range of topics including infection control, medical terminology and health accounts billing. You’ll also develop your business skills in areas like customer service, risk management, budgeting and human resource management.