Published: 8th January 2020.
Written by Melinda Irvine
Are you hardworking, compassionate, and eager to make a difference in the delivery of patient services to the sick and elderly? In this article we’ll take a close look at the Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance (HLT33015) — a practical qualification that immediately qualifies you for work as an Allied Health Assistant.
CAREER QUICK FACTS: Allied Health Assistants are employed all over Australia in the public health system, private practices, and nonprofit organisations.
About the course
The Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance is completed online over 12 months and requires 80 hours of practical work placement, as well as a first aid certificate. During your year of study you will be learning how to work within the Australian state health system with particular emphasis on:
- Relevant medical terminology — so you can accurately follow instructions from medical professionals.
- Basic anatomy and physiology — so you can recognise and promote healthy body systems.
Infection prevention and control — so you can minimise the transfer of germs, infections, and disease.
- Allied health programs — so you can follow a treatment plan under the supervision of an Allied Health Professional.
CAREER QUICK FACTS: Full-time Allied Health Assistants earn approximately $55,000 per annum.
Working as an Allied Health Assistant
Allied Health Assistants improve the standard of patient care at hospitals, community clinics, dental practices, schools, and private medical practices. An average working day would look something like this:
- Booking appointments and co-ordinating patient consultations with the doctor, physiotherapist, dentist, podiatrist and other Allied Health Professionals.
- Administering treatment plans and patient support under the guidance of a qualified health professional.
- Monitoring the health status of patients and reporting changes back to the treating professional.
Processing and filing patient histories, reports, and other documents.
You’ll be busy so you’ll need excellent time management and organisational skills, and you’ll also need to be proficient using productivity tools such as Microsoft Office and G suite and other business technologies.
Possible job roles
Allied Health Assistants often work with a variety of health professionals when coordinating a treatment plan, but you may also be employed as an assistant within a single medical profession. Possible job roles include:
- Medical Imaging Assistant
- Occupational Therapy Assistant
- Physiotherapist's Assistant
- Podiatrist's Assistant
Additional qualifications
Undertaking further study in Health Services will definitely make you more employable as an Allied Health Assistant, you might consider the:
HLT43015 - Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance. Learn how to supervise other Allied Health Assistants, and follow career specialisations in physiotherapy, podiatry, occupational therapy, speech pathology, community rehabilitation, nutrition and dietetics.
CHC33015 - Certificate III in Individual Support. Gain additional skills and become a qualified personal carer to the sick, elderly and disabled. There is a huge demand in Australia right now for personal carers.
CHC32015 - Certificate III in Community Services. Learn more about the community service framework in Australia while gaining practical skills in personal and home care.
Career pathways
Graduates of the Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance (HLT33015) with a few years of on-the-job experience may also consider the following career pathways:
- Community Health Worker - HLT46015 Certificate IV in Population Health
- Enrolled Nurse - HLT54115 Diploma of Nursing
- Indigenous Health Worker - HLT60113 Advanced Diploma of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Health Care