Description

This qualification covers workers who undertake a range of tasks under direct supervision to support the provision of health care services to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients. This qualification is suited to Australian Apprenticeship pathways.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health work is an emerging area of work and occupational titles for those working in this area vary according to jurisdictional and workplace requirements.

At this level, workers may be trainee Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health workers, working as assistants in a rural or urban environment, or they may deliver limited health care services to clients living in communities that are isolated from mainstream health services.

Recognition
This qualification is intended to:
Support the recognition of basic levels of skill and knowledge held by Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people undertaking health-related work in community contexts.
Recognise competence for those who choose to exit at Certificate II due to constraints such as literacy/numeracy.

The Certificate II qualification is a means for encouraging the early development of Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander health workers as it:
provides an entry point for workers with limited English literacy and numeracy
provides guidance for trainers and employers preparing people for a range of work roles in Primary Health Care working with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander communities (i.e. as a 'pre-vocational' qualification)
is suitable for delivery through VET in Schools programs

However, the Certificate II qualification may not have work outcomes in all jurisdictions.

Literacy/numeracy requirements
At Certificate II level, English literacy/numeracy requirements may be minimal if there are in place workplace communication systems and/or tools that allow Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander workers to communicate effectively with mainstream workers as well as with the communities they service.

To be assessed as competent at this level, workers may demonstrate their communication skills by effective use of workplace communication systems and tools.

Assessment methods must reflect the actual skills and knowledge defined in each unit of competency. Assessment tasks involving literacy and numeracy must only be used in so far as the same level of literacy/numeracy is required to perform the function being assessed.

Work application
To be assessed as competent in this qualification, individual workers need to undertake supervised work placements and/or simulated practical application of skills and knowledge. Individuals must demonstrate consistency of performance over time to achieve competency outcomes.

The importance of culturally aware and respectful practice
All workers undertaking work in health need foundation knowledge to inform their work with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients and co-workers and with clients and co-workers from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. This foundation must be provided and assessed as part of a holistic approach to delivery and assessment of this qualification. Specific guidelines for assessment of this aspect of competency are provided in the Assessment Guidelines for the Health Training Package.