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Certificate III in Health Services Assistance (Assisting in nursing work in acute care) HLT33115
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Overview

This qualification will give you the skills and knowledge required for working across the health sector or in the acute care environment

This course may be available Fee-Free. Learn more about Fee-Free courses

Qualification:

 Certificate III in Health Services Assistance (Assisting in nursing work in acute care) HLT33115

Course start date:

 July 2025, February 2026

Course No:

 C3-HS32

Campus:

 CIT Bruce 

Duration:

 Nine months full time, commencing in term 2. Approximately 15 hours per week with additional unsupervised independent study.

Learners undertaking full time study attend CIT for two to three full days across the three terms.

Individual study plans are available for students who wish to study part time.

Cost Info:

Enrolment fees for this course are based on the costs per subject as indicated below. The total course cost may vary depending on the choice of elective subjects or if subjects are attempted more than once. Subject costs identified as Standard are partially subsidised by the ACT Government. Concessions may be available to eligible students.

Further information about fees is available at Course fees and assistance

Indicative Cost:

 $2,029

Likely Job Outcome:

 This course prepares you to work in a variety of health settings, including hospitals, aged care, primary health and mental health.

- Assistants in Nursing (AIN)
- Support Worker
- Personal carer
- Technical assistance
- Health services assistant
- Client service assistant

Application Type:

 Standard; Fee-Free
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Timetable

To find out more about class scheduling, request a timetable.

Additional Information

This qualification has a mandatory work placement. Learners must complete a minimum of 80 hours in the workplace. These placements are organized by CIT and conducted in both acute and long-term health care facilities. CIT has established excellent relationships with a range of public and private ACT-based and regional NSW health service facilities that support students to obtain a broad industry experience.

Before going out on industry placement, you must have a working with vulnerable people card, AFP full disclosure “code 13” police check and a Vaccination Record Card that includes TB Screening, MMR, Hepatitis B and adult dTpa vaccination.

Entry Requirements

You must be at least 18 years of age to participate in clinical placement.
You must also have a current First Aid Certificate and pass a Police check.

Skills Recognition

To study any course at CIT (excluding non-accredited training) you must have a Unique Student Identifier (USI).

Literacy Skills Information

We suggest that you will need Australian Core Skills Framework literacy levels of at least 3 across reading, writing, learning, oral communication and, depending on your course of study, numeracy skills to successfully complete this course. If you do not have this level, you can still enrol and seek support to improve your skills or you may prefer to begin with the lower level course. Please visit Foundation Skills.

Transition Information

Qualifications at CIT are regularly updated or replaced to meet current industry needs and maximise your employment opportunities. If this occurs while you are part way through a qualification, you may need to vary your learning to meet the new national requirements. CIT will aim to make this as smooth as possible for you.

Subject Cancellations/Changes

To ensure positive outcomes for all students, CIT may need to cancel or change classes at short notice. CIT will make every effort to inform students as soon as changes are made and will also make every effort to offer alternative arrangements for students to meet the requirements of the subject and complete their qualification. In an unfortunate instance when this cannot be met, you will receive a full refund. Please ensure you maintain current contact details via CIT Self Service or by contacting CIT Student Services at infoline@cit.edu.au.


Subject Information

Complete 15 subjects

Core: Complete all 7

  • CHCCOM005   Communicate and work in health or community services
    • CIT Code: COMM500
      Cost: Standard $70.00
      Description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to communicate effectively with clients, colleagues, management and other industry providers. This unit applies to a range of health and community service contexts where workers may communicate face-to-face, in writing or using digital media and work with limited responsibility under direct or indirect supervision.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • CHCDIV001   Work with diverse people
    • CIT Code: CLTS145
      Cost: Standard $62.00
      Description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to work respectfully with people from diverse social and cultural groups and situations, including Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people. This unit applies to all workers.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • HLTAAP001   Recognise healthy body systems
    • CIT Code: HESC501
      Cost: Standard $154.00
      Description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to work with basic information about the human body and to recognise and promote ways to maintain healthy functioning of the body. This unit applies to any worker who needs to use and interpret information that includes references to client anatomy and physiology.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • HLTINF006   Apply basic principles and practices of infection prevention and control
    • CIT Code: HESC614
      Cost: Standard $77.00
      Description: This unit describes the performance outcomes, skills and knowledge required to apply basic infection prevention and control principles in work settings including implementing standard and transmission-based precautions and responding to risks. This unit applies to individuals working in a range of industry and work setting contexts. The skills in this unit must be applied in accordance with Commonwealth and State or Territory legislation, Australian standards and industry codes of practice. No occupational licensing, certification or specific legislative requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • HLTWHS001   Participate in workplace health and safety
    • CIT Code: WPHS101
      Cost: Standard $47.00
      Description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required for workers to participate in safe work practices to ensure their own health and safety, and that of others. The unit applies to all workers who require knowledge of workplace health and safety (WHS) to carry out their own work, either under direct supervision or with some individual responsibility.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • BSBMED301   Interpret and apply medical terminology appropriately
    • CIT Code: ADMN177
      Cost: Standard $145.00
      Description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to understand and respond to instructions; to carry out routine tasks and communicate with a range of internal/external clients in a medical environment; as well as use appropriate medical terminology. It applies to individuals who apply a broad range of competencies in various medical administration contexts. They may exercise discretion and judgment using appropriate knowledge to provide technical advice and support to a team. No licensing, legislative or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • BSBWOR301   Organise personal work priorities and development
    • CIT Code: CLER166
      Cost: Standard $66.00
      Description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to organise own work schedules, to monitor and obtain feedback on work performance and to maintain required levels of competence. This unit applies to individuals who exercise discretion and judgement and apply a broad range of competencies in various work contexts. No licensing, legislative, regulatory or certification requirements apply to this unit at the time of publication.
      Prerequisites: Nil

Electives: Complete 8

  • CHCCCS002   Assist with movement
    • CIT Code: HESC557
      Cost: Standard $55.00
      Description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to support people who require assistance with basic physical movement which may be due to incapacity. This unit applies to workers in a range of community services or health contexts who provide front line support services within the context of an established individualised plan.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • CHCCCS020   Respond effectively to behaviours of concern
    • CIT Code: HESC582
      Cost: Standard $94.00
      Description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to respond effectively to behaviours of concern of people. Skills are associated with handling difficult incidents rather than managing ongoing behaviour difficulties. The unit applies to workers in any context exposed to difficult and challenging behaviour.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • CHCCCS026   Transport individuals
    • CIT Code: HESC579
      Cost: Standard $154.00
      Description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to provide safe, timely and efficient transportation of people from one location to another at a particular site, or to other sites. This unit applies to workers in a range of settings where transporting people is a requirement of the work.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • HLTAIN001   Assist with nursing care in an acute care environment
    • CIT Code: HESC580
      Cost: Standard $414.00
      Description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to provide nursing care assistance in an acute care environment. This unit applies to the provision of direct care activities to clients according to the nursing care plan and under the direction and supervision of a registered nurse.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • HLTAIN002   Provide non-client contact support in an acute care environment
    • CIT Code: HESC581
      Cost: Standard $208.00
      Description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to provide a range of non-client contact support to a nursing team delivering nursing care in an acute care environment. This unit applies to workers who support the nursing care team under the direction and supervision of a registered nurse in an acute care setting.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • CHCAGE005   Provide support to people living with dementia
    • CIT Code: HUSE492
      Cost: Standard $143.00
      Description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to provide person-centred care and support to people living with dementia. It involves following and contributing to an established individual plan. This unit applies to workers in a residential or community context, including family homes. Work performed requires some discretion and judgement and may be carried out under regular direct or indirect supervision.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • CHCMHS001   Work with people with mental health issues
    • CIT Code: HUSE500
      Cost: Standard $200.00
      Description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to establish relationships, clarify needs, and then work collaboratively with people who are living with mental health issues. This unit applies to support workers in contexts outside the mental health sector, but who come into contact with people with mental health issues. The services and support provided are not mental health specific.
      Prerequisites: Nil
  • HLTAID011   Provide first aid
    • CIT Code: HESC586
      Cost: Standard $140.00
      Description: This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to provide a first aid response to a casualty in line with first aid guidelines determined by the Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC) and other Australian national peak clinical bodies. The unit applies to all persons who may be required to provide a first aid response in a range of situations, including community and workplace settings. Specific licensing/regulatory requirements relating to this competency, including requirements for refresher training should be obtained from the relevant national/state/territory Work Health and Safety Regulatory Authorities.
      Prerequisites: Nil

Related Courses

Diploma Nursing HLT54121

More Information

For more information about this course please contact CIT Student Services on (02) 6207 3188 or email infoline@cit.edu.au