Healthcare services in New Zealand are delivered by a complex network of organisations across the primary, secondary and allied health sectors. A qualified and skilled Kaiāwhina or support workforce is integral to health professionals operating at the top of their scope.
Careerforce offers a range of healthcare services related programmes and qualifications, all via on-the-job learning. These learning paths lead to specialist qualifications across disciplines such as orderly services, dental assistance, or vision& hearing.
We offer a range of qualifications for workers in the healthcare services sector. These qualifications range from entry level through to advanced specialist qualifications.
Careerforce can support you to enhance your workforce’s skills and knowledge through our well resourced, on-the-job training programmes.
A Careerforce Workplace Advisor will work with you to determine which qualifications are right for your workforce. Together, we’ll develop a comprehensive training plan and discuss steps to set up your training. We will also guide you through funding opportunities to support the growth of your employees.
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Click on the questions below to reveal the answers. Please contact us via info@careerforce.org.nz if you have a question not covered below.
Healthcare workers are support staff who work collaboratively with other health professionals to meet the needs of their patients, follow policy and procedures, and work under direction and delegation of a registered health professional.
They may work in hospitals, general practices or other medical settings. To carry out the role safely, the healthcare worker must be appropriately trained, supervised and assessed as competent for the role. The healthcare worker must have the knowledge, skills and understanding to carry out the duties in a caring and compassionate way.
Entry level roles in healthcare services don’t usually require any qualifications, but it is likely you will be expected to train on-the-job for the New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing Levels 2 and 3.
Examples of roles: Support Worker, Healthcare Assistant, Caregiver, Nursing Aide, Dental Assistants, Orderly, Newborn Hearing Screener, Vision Hearing Technician.
Examples of qualifications:
New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Level 2)
New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Level 3) Health Assistance
New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Level 3) Dental Assistance
New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Level 3) Orderly Services
New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Level 3) Newborn Hearing Screening
New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Level 3) Vision Hearing Screening
New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Level 3) Support Work
More advanced roles in healthcare work will benefit from a Level 4 qualification and higher.
Examples of roles:
Senior Healthcare Assistant, Primary Care Practice Assistants, Enrolled Nurse, Rehabilitation Assistants, Hearing Therapist, Vision Therapist
Examples of qualifications:
New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Level 4) Advanced Care and Support
Apprenticeship in Health and Wellbeing (Level 4) Advanced Care and Support
Apprenticeship in Health and Wellbeing (Level 4) Rehabilitation Assistance, Brain Injury Rehabilitation Support Strand
Apprenticeship in Health and Wellbeing (Level 4) Peer Support
New Zealand Diploma in Health and Wellbeing (Level 5) Applied Practice
New Zealand Diploma in Hearing Therapy (Level 6)
New Zealand Diploma in Vision Habilitation/Rehabilitation (Level 7)
Healthcare workers need:
The expected duration for Healthcare Work qualifications range from 7 months to 30 months.
Qualifications in this sector range from entry level through to advanced specialist qualifications. Since practical experience is extremely important in this industry, on-the-job training is completed alongside work in a healthcare work environment.
Examples of qualifications and duration:
New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Level 2) – 7 months
New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Level 3) Health Assistance – 12 months
New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Level 3) Dental Assistance – 12 months
New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Level 3) Orderly Services – 8 months
New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Level 3) Newborn Hearing Screening – 10 months
New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Level 3) Vision Hearing Screening – 12 months
New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Level 3) Support Work – 12 months
New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Level 3) Support Work – Disability – 12 months
New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Level 4) Advanced Care and Support Support – 20 months
Apprenticeship in Health and Wellbeing (Level 4) Rehabilitation Assistance, Brain Injury Rehabilitation Support Strand – 20 months
Apprenticeship in Health and Wellbeing (Level 4) Peer Support – 21 months
New Zealand Diploma in Hearing Therapy (Level 6) – 21 months
Enrolment fees for healthcare work qualifications range from $200 NZD to $2,000 NZD.
Examples of qualifications and enrolment costs:
New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Level 2) – $200 NZD
New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Level 3) Health Assistance – $230 NZD
New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Level 3) Dental Assistance – $230 NZD
New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Level 3) Orderly Services – $230 NZD
New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Level 3) Newborn Hearing Screening – $860 NZD (includes assessor fee)
New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Level 3) Vision and Hearing Screening – $230 NZD
New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Level 3) Support Work – $230 NZD
New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Level 3) Support Work – Disability – $230 NZD
New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Level 4) Advanced Care and Support – $680 NZD
Apprenticeship in Health and Wellbeing (Level 4) Advanced Care and Support – $2,000 NZD
Apprenticeship in Health and Wellbeing (Level 4) Rehabilitation Assistance, Brain Injury Rehabilitation Support Strand – $2,000 NZD
Apprenticeship in Health and Wellbeing (Level 4) Peer Support – $2,000 NZD
New Zealand Diploma in Health and Wellbeing (Level 5) Applied Practice – $2,000 NZD
New Zealand Diploma in Hearing Therapy (Level 6) – $POA
The employer typically pays the fees for staff to enrol in these programmes. To enrol in a Careerforce programme, you must be currently employed, and have the support of your employer.
As a Healthcare worker you will be a key part of the healthcare team, making patients feel at ease, in what can be stressful situations. You will support staff who work collaboratively with other health professionals to meet the needs of their patients, follow policy and procedures, and work under direction and delegation of a registered health professional. These roles hey may be in hospitals, general practices or other medical settings.
There are entry-level career opportunities in healthcare support work. There are also lifelong, rewarding careers in this sector and employers who will support your training and help you to get qualified on the job.
Check out new Zealand job sites such as Jobs for Good, Seek, TradeMe Jobs or Kiwi Health Jobs for entry level job opportunities. Many employers will support on-the-job training where you’ll have the opportunity to earn as you learn, get practical skills and work towards achieving a nationally recognised qualification without taking on a student loan.
