COURSE GUIDE

Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs CHC43215

Introduction

Our nationally recognised CHC43215 Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs is designed to help you intervene in the lives of everyday people who are suffering from addiction. You’ll gain the skills to make a real difference to people's lives in this growing field with increasing job opportunities.

Course Breakdown

E1143

CHC43215 Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs

Course duration: Self-paced - maximum of 18 months

Recommended hours per week: 17h

Qualification level: Certificate IV

Delivery method: Online with Work Placement

Awarded by: Integrated Care & Management Training Pty Ltd (Provider number: 90197)

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Industry Overview

Counselling has a very strong projected growth. In fact, over the next three years, up to 20,000 job openings are anticipated. Job Outlook analysts expect the demand for qualified Counsellors will continue to grow strongly in the future.

Is this course for you?

This course is perfect for people who are looking to start a career helping persons experiencing substancce misuse or alcohol and other drug concerns.

The Certificate IV is also ideal for people who already work as a Case Worker or Support Worker, and are looking for additional skills to help them work with clients who struggle with drugs and alcohol.

If you are an existing worker or have experience in the related industry, please inform our enrolment consultants during your enrolment conversation. You may be eligible to enrol as an existing worker and complete your studies faster. Please note - limitations do apply.

What you will learn

During your studies, you will learn how to:

  • Communicate with clients.
  • Work with people who are under the influence of alcohol and other drugs.
  • Work with people with mental health issues.
  • Determine the needs of clients with alcohol and drugs issues.
  • Develop and review treatment plans.
  • Refer clients to other services, and work collaboratively with other care providers.
  • Understand and work from a trauma informed care perspective.
  • Work within legal and ethical guidelines.

Learning Material

The following resources are provided to you via OpenSpace:

  • Case studies
  • Web links to additional readings, websites and video clips
  • Learning activities
  • Access to legislation relevant to the AOD sector
  • News forums – giving up-to- date industry news
  • Access to relevant articles and information sources
  • Links to key organisations, journals, professional organisations and peak bodies for working in the mental health sector
  • Relevant, curated websites from respected third party organisations e.g. National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre (NDARC) and the National Cannabis Prevention and Information Centre (NCPIC).

Your trainer

Zinna Nesa
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Academic Information

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.

Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs

CHCCOM002
Use communication to build relationships
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  • Communicate with clients and co-workers
  • Address communication needs
  • Facilitate meetings
CHCLEG001
Work legally and ethically
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  • Identify and respond to legal requirements
  • Identify and meet ethical responsibilities
  • Contribute to workplace improvements
CHCMHS007
Work effectively in trauma informed care
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  • Work from a trauma informed care perspective
  • Utilise self-care strategies
  • Contribute to the continuous improvement of trauma informed care in services
CHCCCS004
Assess co-existing needs
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  • Prepare for assessment
  • Analyse the person’s needs using a collaborative approach
  • Determine appropriate services
  • Complete reporting
  • Evaluate assessment and referral processes
CHCMHS005
Provide services to people with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drugs issues
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  • Assess capacity to provide support to a person with co-existing mental health and AOD issues
  • Work collaboratively to provide support services to address co-existing issues
  • Facilitate links to further care
  • Collaborate with the person to minimise risk
  • Review and report on support provided
5/ modules
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Assessment Details

  • Multiple choice Quiz
  • Projects
  • Role plays
  • Video
  • Work Placement
  • Written assignments

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

We understand that you may already have many skills and areas of expertise that you have obtained in different ways and these are recognised through our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) process.

Our Credit Transfer & Recognition of Prior Learning Policy, available in the Key Student Information section of our website, provides more information about our RPL process. Alternatively, you can contact an Enrolment Consultant to discuss your RPL options.

Course Duration

The duration for the course is maximum 18 months. As a self-paced online course, the time it will take you to complete is flexible and dependent on ability and time available.

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Work Placement

This course contains a minimum of 120 hours of work placement.

What are the benefits?

  • By undertaking a work placement you’ll get a chance to put the knowledge you’ve learned on your course into practice.
  • You’ll also develop practical, on-the-job skills and could make contacts that could help you find a job once you graduate.
  • Work placement is often the most rewarding part of a student’s course. Working face-to-face with clients and colleagues in your chosen field makes a huge difference to your career confidence.

How do I find a work placement?

You’ll need to find a work placement yourself and ensure it’s approved by Open Colleges. When looking for a suitable work placement host organisation, have a think about the following:

  • Are you already working or volunteering in the industry your course is related to? You could potentially do your work placement at your current place of work or have contacts that could recommend a suitable work place. Ask around!
  • If you’re entering a new industry, do some research and start thinking about organisations you could approach. We have plenty of resources available to help with approaching and finding a suitable work placement organisation.

Cost of work placement

All costs of work placement, including any placement fees charged by the host organisation (whether to the student or Open Colleges), cost of statutory checks and vaccinations, travel, accommodation, and uniforms are the responsibility of the student. These fees will vary and are dependent on your location within Australia.

  • Costs for statutory checks will range between $0 - $100 dependent on the type of check you select and your state.
  • Costs for vaccinations will very between practitioners, please refer to your GP for approximate costs.
  • Placement fees will vary, please discuss this with your intended host organisation for approximate costs.

Host organisation

You will need to undertake your work placement in an organisation involved in the delivery of alcohol and other drug related services to clients. The workplace will need to be able to provide you with access to specialist equipment and resources. The specific requirements of the workplace are outlined in theWorkplace Assessment Guide. Your workplace assessor will ascertain whether the workplace is appropriate.

Immunisations

Please note that your host organisation may require you to provide an up to date immunisation history prior to the commencement of your work placement. Open Colleges has no control over this requirement so if you are unable to provide this, you will need to discuss it with your intended Host Organisation.

It should also be noted that some immunisations, such as Hepatitis B and COVID-19, need multiple injections to be administered over a specific time period before you are deemed immune. It is important that you consult with your GP as soon as possible to avoid delays in starting your work placement.

Supervisor requirements

Your supervisor must have at least 3 years of experience in the community services industry and hold a minimum qualification of Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs or related community services qualification (or equivalent).

Recommendation

Open Colleges recommends that you consider the work placement options in your local area prior to enrolling in this course.

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Study and pay, your way

Payment Options

Pay Upfront
Save 30%
$4,242.00 Save $1,818.00
was $6,060.00
Week to week
Pay as you go
Save 12%
Pay in 74 instalments over the length of your course.
$69.05 Weekly
Total course cost: $5,310.00
was $6,060.00
Full course breakdown
TBD

Studying online with Open Colleges

Flexibility - study at your own pace

When you study online with Open Colleges you’re in control.

You can choose to complete your course quickly, or keep to a steady pace. Learning is fully flexible so you can fit your everyday commitments around your studies.

Everything you need to study is online so you can study wherever you like – but that doesn’t mean you’re on your own.

OpenSpace is our online learning platform. It’s where you’ll go to access your learning materials, contact your expert trainers and assessors and upload your assessments.

What is OpenSpace?

It’s important to us that we deliver a superior, online learning platform that meets our students’ needs. That’s why we have upgraded to our brand new, custom-designed learning platform, OpenSpace.

OpenSpace provides you with a user-friendly interface, that is mobile responsive. This means that you can complete your coursework using your laptop, iPad, or mobile device. All coursework is automatically saved, providing you with the flexibility you need to complete your studies anywhere, anytime.

How to get support?

Learning Support

The learning support team will be with you every step of the way, from enrolment to graduation. They’re here to help you get the most out of your online course. They can assist by providing non-academic support - like helping you craft an achievable study plan so that you can graduate in a realistic timeframe. If you’re finding it tough to stay motivated throughout your course, they’ll be there to help keep you on track.

Student support

The Student Support team is your one-stop service centre for all student administrative issues – including enrolment, change of contact details, OpenSpace support, assessment results and certification.

You can access the Student Support team by email or phone