Ensuring a quality workforce?
In recent media reports, the industry has been under scrutiny for employing staff who have completed short courses of 6 weeks, such as the Certificate III in Aged Care. Many are stating these courses lack practical training and that some newly hired aged care staff don’t have the basic skills that are required to do the job.
At Anglican Care, we work in partnership with reputable and competent Registered Training Organisations to provide work placement for students to ensure Personal Care Assistants (Care Assistants) students are qualified and competent to provide quality care.
Janet Sykes, Anglican Care Nurse Educator states “We recognise there is a great need for our aged care staff to have specialised skills that meet the complex health needs of our elderly, beyond those learnt during their initial Certificate III and IV training courses. Our Care Assistants are not placed into a role and forgotten about. We make it our priority to support their new role by providing ongoing clinical training in topics such as clinical indicators and infection control, among others.”
The new starters are also paired with a ‘buddy’. “Our buddy system is there to provide our new Care Assistants with a peer they can turn to for any questions related to their work and provide an orientation of their facility. We provide this level of support to our newcomers until they feel they can work autonomously as part of the team. We want our staff to be set up to succeed in their roles”, says Sykes.
Each year Anglican Care staff attend ongoing education in personal and clinical care, as well as compulsory workshop training sessions and industry forums on topics such as Palliative Care and Dementia. Further educational support is also provided to staff via online training and online education materials. Those wishing to further their areas of expertise are encouraged to do so, and as a result many of our Care Assistants continue their studies and become Enrolled Nurses, Registered Nurses and in some cases, Facility Managers.
Sykes confirms, “It’s important our families, residents and consumers feel confident that we are providing the very best of care. To do this we remain committed to our ongoing staff training and support which we believe underpins the excellent quality of care given to our seniors.”
Looking for a career in aged care?
Working with older Australians can be a rewarding and meaningful employment path. As the population continues to age, there are a growing number of real opportunities for caring individuals who have the dedication, professional background and skills to provide positive assistance seniors who may need additional support.
Working as an Aged Care Worker requires patience, empathy and a desire to support those who require additional assistance to achieve a good quality of life as they age, whether that be in a residential home setting or supporting a senior to remain happy at home..
How do I start my career?
There are a number of pathways you can take to enter the aged care industry. Some of the entry level jobs in aged care, such as Care Assistants, can be gained by achieving a Certificate III or IV qualification.
Qualifications that are available within New South Wales include:
- Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing, Home and Community) – This course will teach you how to care for the needs of older persons as well as the many safety standards required within the industry. It will display your dedication to truly caring for the wellbeing of an older person. This can be taken further by gaining a Certificate IV in Ageing Care as you seek to advance within your career to qualify you for managerial roles.
- Certificate III in Individual Support (Disability) – Ageing and disability often go hand in hand. By adding this certificate to your repertoire, you will gain a wider range of skills that will help you handle a number of challenging situations that may arise when working with disabilities in aged care. Upon completion, you can also obtain a Certificate IV in Disability to grant you with more managerial qualities.
- Certificate IV in Ageing Support – This qualification reflects the role of support workers who complete specialised tasks and functions in aged services. With 120 hours of work placement, you will take responsibility for your own outputs through the development, facilitation and review of individualised service planning and delivery.
Although you can learn many essential skills throughout these courses and the job placements they provide, as previously stated, continuous mentoring and training in the field is essential. That is why at Anglican Care we ensure our new Care Assistants, Enrolled Nurses and Registered Nurses are given a thorough orientation. Our buddy system provides our new staff a mentor, peer educator and further support and our staff partake in mandatory continuous education through workshops, industry forums and online learning.
If you have questions about working in the aged care industry, or are currently in training and are looking to gain work experience, get in touch with our friendly staff today by calling 1800 733 553 or take a look at our Current Positions.