Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance (Occupational Therapy) HLT43015

If you are wanting to get started in healthcare, or are seeking a career change, but attending classes is not convenient for you, then Open Colleges’ HLT43015 Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance (Occupational Therapy) is an ideal solution. There are no classes to attend and no deadlines. You set the pace of your studies, learning where you want, when you want.

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.

During your study you will learn:

• How to work and communicate effectively in a healthcare setting.
• The skills to understand and apply medical terminology.
• The main human body systems and how they apply to occupational therapy.
• How to assist in the rehabilitation of clients.
• How to use assistive equipment to maximise your clients' independence so that they are able to go about their daily activities

The duration for the course is maximum 24 months. As a self-paced online course, the time it will take you to complete is flexible and dependent on ability and time available.

• 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.

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.

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.

The workplace will need to be involved in the delivery of professional allied health services, including occupational therapy services, to clients.

During your work placement, you will need access to a range of different clients who are receiving occupational therapy programs, including at least 3 different clients who require occupational therapy programs to assist them with their activities of daily living. 

You will also need exposure to clients who require initial and/or ongoing occupational therapy assessments and/or screening, as well as access to clients who require assistive equipment to be measured and fitted.

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.

Students must be supervised by an appropriately qualified Allied Health Professional. For the Occupational Therapy specific units, you will need to be supervised by a qualified Occupational Therapist.