Make a real and valuable difference to people’s lives as a Physiotherapy Assistant, using exercise and movement to drastically improve patient quality of life and physical capacity.
What you'll learn
During your study you will learn how to:
Communicate effectively and build relationships with health professionals and clients.
Navigate and work in health and community services.
Understand the workings of the human body.
Use exercise and movement programs to treat clients.
Deliver and monitor individual physiotherapy programs.
Why study this course?
Designed with flexibility in mind, learning materials are divided into 15-20 minute chunks so you can learn wherever and whenever you like.
The online Physiotherapy Assistant course uses a virtual health clinic, Caresure Health Centre, to immerse you in a healthcare environment with tours, lessons and quizzes.
Your learning materials allow you to add comments and questions, which can be seen, added to and answered by fellow students and Trainers.
Chat and interact with fellow students and Trainers in OpenSpace forums, or message your Trainers and Assessors via email with any questions or queries you may have.
For people wishing to pursue higher education, Open Colleges has formalised a pathway to tertiary study with Charles Sturt University, with credit transfers available for selected courses.
This course involves work placement that currently needs to be undertaken in Australia. More information available in our FAQs
If you are an existing worker or have experience in the related industry, please inform our enrolment consultants during your enrolment conversation as you may be eligible to enrol as an existing worker and may be able to complete your studies faster.
Potential career outcomes
Allied Health Assistant
Physiotherapy Assistant
Therapy Assistant
Extra benefits
When you enrol in this course you will also receive:
Hoping to go to Uni?
If you plan to enrol in a health or community services degree with Charles Sturt University when you complete this course, you’d be entitled to apply for the Open Colleges $2,000 scholarship to spend however you like. You could use it to assist with your tuition fees, to buy textbooks or to stock up on supplies for your new course. The scholarship is sponsored by Open Colleges and is awarded exclusively to four Open Colleges students per year.
You will need to have completed year 10, or equivalent. Equivalency can be demonstrated by one of the following:
A qualification at Certificate II level or higher OR
2 years of industry experience in a role that requires the use of written documentation and communication.
Minimum age
You will need to be at least 18 years old.
English
This course involves reading and undertaking a range of written assessments, as well as engaging in online forums and discussions. Furthermore, the delivery mode relies on the extensive use of written communication. As such, entry to the course requires the successful completion of English to Year 10 level.
If you haven't successfully completed English at Year 10 level, you can demonstrate equivalency through one of the following:
Successful completion of a Nationally Recognised Training qualification at Certificate II level or higher; or
2 years relevant industry experience in a role that requires the use of written documentation and communication
Open Colleges recognises that not all people are able to read, write and perform calculations to the same standard. See the Language, Literacy and Numeracy Considerations section for more information on tools, resources and support services provided to you by Open Colleges.
Computing
You will need access to a computer and the internet and have basic computing skills. Minimum specifications for your computer are:
All users:
Microsoft Office 2010 or equivalent
Broadband internet connection
2GB of RAM
CD-ROM or DVD drive
Adobe Reader XI or equivalent
Adobe Flash Player 10 or higher
Access to printer and associated software
Access to scanner and associated software
Digital imaging software
File compression software
Windows users:
Microsoft Windows 7 or higher (Windows 8 recommended)
1 Ghz or faster processer (2GHz recommended)
Mac OS users:
Mac OSX v10.5 or higher (Mac OSX v10.6 recommended)
1 Ghz or faster processer (2GHz recommended)
Digital equipment
You will need access to:
A digital video recording device and/or a digital camera and associated software to save and upload video, image and audio files to OpenSpace. Many mobile phones and smart phones include this technology.
Software to view online videos and images. Software such as Adobe Reader, Windows Media Player, Windows Photo Viewer etc. are available as a free download from the internet.
Physical requirements
Students need to be fit to:
Stand or stoop for long periods of time
Undertake light physical labour
Manage exposure to blood, chemicals, and other bodily fluids
Learners undertaking the unit HLTAID003 Provide first aid, will be required to undertake Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) continuously for a minimum 2 minutes while kneeling on the floor as indicated in the assessment requirements for the unit.
Language, Literacy and Numeracy
Our free online assessment tool can help give you an idea of the language, literacy and numeracy skills needed to study a VET course. This tool can also help you determine your learning level and help you plan your future studies. You can access the Language, Literacy and Numeracy tool here.
Once you are enrolled in this course, you will receive access to the first Module, which contains the first set of units for the course. When you have successfully completed those units, you'll be given access to the next Module.
Open Colleges may make changes to the course from time to time to reflect changes introduced to the relevant Training Package or other regulatory requirements. Please download the course guide for current information about the course and its status.
Module 1
HLTAHA001
Assist with an allied health program
Provide relevant information to clients
Prepare for therapy session
Provide assistance with therapy session
Use therapy equipment correctly and safely
Feedback appropriate therapy information to supervising allied health professional
Assist in the design and construction of simple therapy materials and equipment
Complete required administrative duties
Work with a primary health care approach
CHCCOM005
Communicate and work in health or community services
Communicate effectively with people
Collaborate with colleagues
Address constraints to communication
Report problems to supervisor
Complete workplace correspondence and documentation
Contribute to continuous improvement
CHCCOM002
Use communication to build relationships
Communicate with clients and co-workers
Address communication needs
Facilitate meetings
CHCDIV001
Work with diverse people
Reflect on own perspectives
Appreciate diversity and inclusiveness, and their benefits
Communicate with people from diverse backgrounds and situations
Promote understanding across diverse groups
Module 2
BSBMED301
Interpret and apply medical terminology appropriately
Respond appropriately to instructions which contain medical terminology
Carry out routine tasks
Use appropriate medical terminology in oral and written communication
HLTAAP001
Recognise healthy body systems
Work with information about the human body
Recognise and promote ways to support healthy functioning of the body
HLTAAP002
Confirm physical health status
Obtain information about physical health status
Check physical health status
Identify variations from normal physical health status
Module 3
HLTWHS002
Follow safe work practices for direct client care
Follow safe work practices for direct client care
Follow safe work practices for manual handling
Follow safe work practices for infection control
Contribute to safe work practices in the workplace
Reflect on own safe work practices
Module 4
CHCLEG003
Manage legal and ethical compliance
Research information required for legal compliance
Determine ethical responsibilities
Develop and communicate policies and procedures
Monitor compliance
Maintain knowledge of compliance requirements
Module 5
HLTAHA003
Deliver and monitor a client-specific physiotherapy program
Prepare for delivery of a client-specific physiotherapy program
Deliver physiotherapy program based on treatment plan
Assist with programs for clients with varying abilities to participate
Comply with supervisory requirements
Clean and store equipment
Document client information
HLTAHA005
Support the delivery and monitoring of physiotherapy programs for mobility
Prepare for mobility and movement program
Conduct mobility and movement programs to restore optimum movement
Comply with supervisory requirements
Clean and store equipment
Report and document information
CHCCCS002
Assist with movement
Prepare to assist a person with movement
Assist with movement
Complete assistance with movement
Module 6
BSBINM301
Organise workplace information
Collect and assess information
Organise information
Review information needs
Module 7
All units in study period 7 are to be undertaken by an external provider.
HLTAID001
Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation
Respond to an emergency situation
Perform CPR procedures
Communicate details of the incident
HLTAID002
Provide basic emergency life support
Respond to an emergency situation
Apply appropriate first aid procedures
Communicate details of the incident
HLTAID003
Provide first aid
Respond to an emergency situation
Apply appropriate first aid procedures
Communicate details of the incident
Evaluate the incident and own performance
Open Colleges does not offer this Unit of Competency. You will be required to undertake the Unit of Competency with an external provider at your own cost.
You can choose to pay your course fees in full upon enrolment and benefit from a 10% discount (unless otherwise advertised).
Pay 50% & Payment Plan Combo
You can also choose to pay 50% of your total course fees upon enrolment and the balance on a Payment Plan. When you do, you’ll benefit from 50% of the standard Pay in Full discount (unless otherwise advertised).
Payment Plan
You can choose to pay for your course in weekly or fortnightly instalments. By paying in instalments, you can schedule your payments around your regular outgoings and get ahead without breaking the bank. Open Colleges payment plans are interest-free.
zipMoney Payment Plan
If you need a little more flexibility with your finances and would like to pay off your course fees over a longer period of time, we can assist by organising zipMoney to pay your course fees directly to us on your behalf, and you pay this loan back to zipMoney over an agreed period of time. zipMoney provides you flexible options of selecting a 24, 36 or 48 months interest-free, payment plan (dependant on which course you’re enrolling into) to suit your lifestyle, giving you more flexibility than ever before.
BPAY®
With BPAY®, you’re able to pay quickly and securely, 24/7 through your internet, mobile or phone banking service. You can choose when, how much and from which account to pay from - whatever works for you. BPAY® is only available when paying in full. Call an Enrolment Consultant to find out more.
BPAY® is a trademark of BPAY Pty Ltd ABN 69 079 137 518. Check if BPAY® is right for you by reading the terms and conditions available from your Financial Institution.
Since receiving his Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Human Nutrition and Dietetics, Phil has held a number of specialist posts in both hospital and community settings, including roles in pediatrics and working with diabetics. He has also worked as a chiropractic assistant in Sydney’s CBD for five years, a role which saw him perform exercise rehabilitation sessions for clients.
Also qualified in sports/remedial massage and personal fitness training, Phil has 20 years fitness industry experience including personal training, facility management and sales.
As an educator, Phil has over six years’ experience teaching a range of face-to-face and online courses across anatomy and physiology, Certificate III and IV in Fitness and the Diploma of Fitness.
If you plan to enrol in a health or community services degree with Charles Sturt University when you complete this course, you’d be entitled to apply for the Open Colleges $2,000 scholarship to spend however you like. You could use it to assist with your tuition fees, to buy textbooks or to stock up on supplies for your new course. The scholarship is sponsored by Open Colleges and is awarded exclusively to four Open Colleges students per year.
The course contains a minimum of 120 hours of work placement
The workplace will need to be involved in the delivery of professional allied health services, including physiotherapy services, to clients.
During your work placement, you will need access to a range of different clients who are receiving physiotherapy treatment programs, including mobility and movement programs.
You will also need exposure to some specific physiotherapy management techniques during your placement, including 24-hour posture management, respiratory care management and limb oedema management.
Immunisations
State/Territory Health departments, clinics and hospitals across Australia will require students to provide a notice of immunisation, completed by a registered GP, to verify current and active immunisation prior to the commencement of their clinical placement. It should be noted that immunisation against Hepatitis B consists of a series of three injections taken over a 5 month period and you will not be deemed to be immune until such time as serology is provided post the 5 months to indicate your current status.
Cost of work placement
All costs of work placement including any placement fees charged by the host organisation (whether to the student or OC), cost of statutory checks and vaccinations, travel, accommodation and uniforms are the responsibility of the student.
Open Colleges offers this qualification in association with Integrated Care & Management Training Pty Ltd (Provider number: 90197). The testamur will be issued by Integrated Care & Management Training Pty Ltd.
Charles Sturt University (CSU) is an Australian multi-campus public university, and is the University with Australia's highest graduate employment rate. CSU has more than 350 courses on offer that can unlock your potential to create a better life for you, your family, your community and the world.
Please note, articulation pathways are at the discretion of the University offering it, and subject to change. You should check the University’s website for any changes to applicable courses and credit available. Eligibility for credit does not guarantee admission, and the final decision to admit a student sits with the University.
Course Details
Requirements
Subjects
Payment Options
Trainers
Extra Benefits
Work Placement
Partnership Details
University Pathways
