Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance
Student type:
Quick facts
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Entry score
Not applicable
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Duration
Full-time 1 year -
Location
Melbourne City -
Fees
Next intake
February, JulyEntry score
Not applicable
Duration
Not applicable
Location
Not applicable
Overview
The allied health assistance program will train you to assist patients with their rehabilitation exercises including physiotherapy, occupational therapy, foot hygiene, dysphagia and nutrition.
You'll work alongside health professionals such as physiotherapists, occupational therapists, podiatrists, speech pathologists and nutritionists to facilitate rehabilitation and to encourage optimal health.
As part of the program, you’ll specialise in physiotherapy and occupational therapy and will have basic knowledge in dysphagia, foot hygiene and nutrition..
Allied health workers assist patients carrying out routine physiotherapy exercises in groups or individually.
Other roles include helping to implement general care and assisting with ongoing therapy, as well as working with patients in recreational and leisure activities.
Allied health assistants also support the training of people with disabilities to care for themselves and develop independent living skills.
Work is not limited to hospitals. Allied health assistants can also find employment in community health, rehabilitation centres or via home and special needs school visits.
Details
RMIT offers a variety of learning and teaching approaches including lectures, seminars, studios, workshops, presentations, group discussions, clinical placements and syndicate work.
You'll have access to online resources through the myRMIT student portal.
Ongoing assessment throughout the semester includes examinations, essays, reports, oral classes, presentations, group projects, research projects, laboratory projects and practical assignments.
You'll be exposed to industry practices through clinical placements which you complete as part of your studies.
Placements can occur in hospitals, community settings, rehabilitation centres and special needs schools.
RMIT University is committed to providing you with an education that strongly links formal learning with professional or vocational practice.
1 year
Full-time Semester 1 intake: 10 months duration. 3 days a week on-campus and 120 hours of clinical placement
Semester 2 intake: 1 year duration. 3 days a week on-campus and 120 hours of clinical placement
You’ll learn how to provide assistance to allied health professionals in various settings and be introduced to:
- basic anatomy and physiology for the recognition of body systems
- medical terminology
- the skills to work effectively with clients and other staff
- Work Health and Safety (WHS) and infection control
You’ll also take complete clinical placements. Placements are generally conducted on a full-time basis.
As part of your physiotherapy studies, you’ll learn the practical skills to support treatments, including:
- the delivery and monitoring of therapeutic exercise programs developed by a physiotherapist
- how to support individuals taking part in group physiotherapy programs
- delivery of therapeutic practices for clients and assist clients with specific mobility requirements
You’ll gain occupational therapy skills through rehabilitation studies, allowing you to:
- assist in the development of active support strategies
- assist in daily living skill development outcomes
- support the fitting of assistive equipment
Choose from elective studies in foot hygiene, dysphagia and nutrition.
You’ll also gain skills in cultural diversity, sensitivity and how to cope with challenging behaviour.
Choose a program structure
| Title | Location | Duration | Plan code | CRICOS | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance | City Campus |
1 year
|
C4367 |
Choose a program structure
Program code: C4367
National curriculum code: HLT43015
Career
According to the Australian Government's Job Outlook, the job prospects for allied health assistants are good, with employment expected to grow strongly in the next five years.
Graduates work in:
- acute care (hospitals)
- rehabilitation centres
- aged care facilities
- community and primary healthcare
- schools that are involved with delivering programs to children with special needs
Admissions
Entry requirements
The following information outlines the tasks you will be required to undertake during professional experience placement and on-campus learning activities.
The non-academic abilities listed are provided for your information only and are not entry requirements.
If there are any activities outlined which may be difficult for you to undertake, there are a range of adjustments to your study conditions available to enable and support you to demonstrate these abilities. Please contact the Equitable Learning Service to discuss any adjustments you may require.
The following information outlines the tasks you will be required to undertake during professional experience placement and on-campus learning activities.
The non-academic abilities listed are provided for your information only and are not entry requirements.
If there are any activities outlined which may be difficult for you to undertake, there are a range of adjustments to your study conditions available to enable and support you to demonstrate these abilities. Please contact the Equitable Learning Service to discuss any adjustments you may require.
By understanding the types of activities you’ll participate in, you can:
- understand more about the program
- determine if you may need support during your studies
- make an informed decision about whether the program is suitable for you
If you are living with disability, long-term illness and/or a mental health condition, we can support you by making adjustments to activities in your program so that you can participate fully in your studies.
To receive learning adjustments, you need to register with Equitable Learning Service
The University considers the wellbeing and safety of all students, staff and the community to be a priority in academic and professional experience placement settings.
Students who are successful in obtaining a place in the program must meet a number of Immunisation and Compliance requirements upon commencement of their studies in the program.
Immunisations and vaccination requirements:
- Diphtheria/Tetanus/Pertussis (dTpa – Adult Dose). Must be this immunisation NOT ADT (Adult Diphtheria/Tetanus – does not contain the pertussis component).
- Poliomyelitis: Primary course of 3 vaccination doses.
- Measles/Mumps/Rubella (MMR, 2 vaccination doses AND blood test (serology report) to confirm immunity.
- Hepatitis A: Primary course of 2 vaccination doses OR serology to show immunity to Hep A Ab.
- Hepatitis B: Primary course of 3 vaccination doses AND serology to confirm anti-HBV level is greater than or equal to 10mIU/ml.
- Varicella: 2 vaccination doses OR blood test (serology report) to confirm immunity OR history of chickenpox
- Influenza Vaccination: Annual requirement.
- Tuberculin Screen: Tuberculin Skin Test OR Quantiferon TB Assay blood test (serology) to show immunity.
PLEASE NOTE: A full course of immunisations can take up to 7 months to complete and students should contact their Medical Practitioner prior to entering the program to commence immunisations. It is a requirement that students will have commenced all immunisations and will continue to progress this until completion of the vaccination courses by the deadlines set by the University.
Compliance Requirements:
- Police Check: Students must present evidence of a successful National Police Records Check prior to undertaking the clinical components of this program (Annual requirement for the duration of your Program). National Police records check are conducted via fit2work. An account with fit2work will be created using the student’s name and the RMIT issued student email address, once studies in the program have commenced. Further information will be provided once enrolment has been completed.
- Working with Children Check (valid for 5 years): Students must hold a valid Working with Children Check prior to undertaking the clinical components of this program.
For more information or if you have any questions about these requirements please email veemita.kaul@rmit.edu.au.
Pathways
Fees
The Victorian State Government has announced that from January 2019, that they will waive the tuition fee of 30 priority courses and 18 pre-apprenticeship courses at TAFE institutes, which includes this program.
This fee waiver will only be available for eligible students who will commence one of these qualifications in 2019.
Visit Free TAFE for priority courses for further information on what this means and whether it may affect you.
If you have any questions you can contact our Info Corner team.
The tuition fees you will pay for this program will depend on whether you are offered a Victorian Government subsidised place or a full-fee place.
To find out if you are eligible for a government subsidised place, follow the steps at ‘How to check if you are eligible’.
The student tuition fees as displayed by the fee finder are indicative only and subject to change given individual circumstances at enrolment. Fees are adjusted on an annual basis and these fees should only be used as a guide. Learn more about fees for vocational study.
In addition to tuition fees, you will be charged an annual student services and amenities fee (SSAF), which is used to maintain and enhance services and amenities that improve your experience as an RMIT student.
The SSAF is calculated based on your enrolment load and the maximum fee for 2019 is $303.
For more information about calculating your actual SSAF see Paying SSAF.
You may also be required to purchase other items related to your program, including field trips, textbooks and equipment. These additional fees and expenses vary from program to program.
You may be entitled to apply for a fee concession or exemption if you are in a Victorian Government subsidised place and you meet the eligibility criteria.
If your application for a fee concession is approved, you will be charged 20% of the standard government subsidised tuition fee for your program. You will also be charged a lower rate on your student services and amenities fee (SSAF).



