Industry training organisation, Careerforce recently launched the new Advanced Care and Support Level 4 programme for support workers, healthcare assistants and team leaders. The 120 credit programme replaces the Advanced Support 70 credit programme.
Their new programme follows in depth consultation with the health care sector. Stakeholders strongly recommended that the New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Level 4) Advanced Support be significantly enhanced to reflect the increasingly complex needs of people being supported, and to enhance the leadership responsibilities of employees at this level.
Lizzie McIvor, General Manager for Older People at Presbyterian Support, South Canterbury played a key role as a subject matter expert and consulted on the programme. Lizzie who is also a registered assessor, also talked to other providers who use the programme.
“We have a number of staff who were studying, towards the qualification. The additional unit standards that have been added, give it more of a holistic focus and staff can relate to it in their workplace. I absolutely love it,” says Lizzie.
“It has also added huge value to leadership roles. A lot of our staff who are at level 4 are expected to undertake some level of leadership responsibilities, and this new qualification actually provides them with a good toolkit and training to support them to take on leadership roles.
“Aged care is a very complex area and we have some very frail people with multiple complex conditions. This programme also definitely meets that need.
“I also love the cultural component that’s been added. Cultural competency is a key requirement of care givers.”
According to Careerforce, the programme provides experienced staff with the opportunity to enhance their skills, and to work at the top of their scope under the direction and delegation of a registered health professional.
The new programme is a great pathway for those who may want to progress to team leadership and/or continue degree studies and is expected to be completed within 18 – 24 months.
The online learning gives trainees access to videos, interactive activities, and scenario-based learning. The learning is enhanced by guided online research to expand trainee knowledge.
Normally costing $630, enrolments in this programme are currently fully funded by the Government’s Targeted Training and Apprenticeship fund (TTAF). This training funding is available until December 2022.
For more information, download the brochure here.