New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Level 3) (Healthcare Assistance)

New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Level 3)

(Healthcare Assistance)
71 credits, 23 weeks

Programme aim

This programme aims to equip individuals aspiring to work in health or wellbeing settings with the skills and knowledge necessary to deliver patient-centric care. It focuses on treating patients with complex needs and their families or whānau with the utmost respect, responsiveness, and consideration for their preferences, conditions, and values.

The curriculum emphasises and develops key competencies in leadership within the healthcare environment and underscores principles of person-centred and relationship-centred care. These principles include respect, emotional support, physical comfort, effective communication, care coordination, involvement of family and caregivers, and access to care, all tailored with cultural competence.

The community stands to gain from the high-quality health and wellbeing services delivered by trained professionals. These individuals will be capable of interacting with and supporting people, whānau and/or family from diverse ethnic, cultural, social, and economic backgrounds. Graduates from this programme will be equipped to work under general guidance and may also be responsible for overseeing the performance of others.

Targeting both domestic and international students, this programme is ideal for those who aspire to become healthcare workers or caregivers in settings such as dementia units, aged residential care, or home and community support. This programme is also ideal for graduates who aspire to become experienced or senior support workers and team leaders in residential, home, and community settings.

Structure and content: The programme consists of five courses totalling 71 credits at NZQA Level 3, taught full-time over 24 weeks and delivered through blended delivery. Content includes:

• Module 1: The Professional Role of the Healthcare Assistant in New Zealand

• Module 2: Minimising Risk

• Module 3: Reducing Vulnerability

• Module 4: Safe care practices

• Module 5: Palliative Care

Work placement: Clinical hours in own place of work (as appropriate). A minimum of 5 hours per week.

Programme outcomes:

Graduates of the programme will gain transferable skills and knowledge related to basic physiological, safety and belongingness needs of persons in aged care settings. Graduates will have an understanding of their roles, responsibilities and obligations and their duty of protection and care of the vulnerable person. They will be able to select and apply ethical and professional behaviours and effective communication whilst providing person-centred care under broad guidance, support and delegation.

Graduates will be able to apply the following skills and capabilities in a health care setting:

• Advocacy: Graduates will understand their role, responsibilities, obligations and duty of care to protect and provide advocacy for the vulnerable person in an aged care setting.

• Recognition of need and response: Graduates will be able to recognise signs of abuse, neglect and vulnerability in aged care settings and respond appropriately.

• Professional conduct: Graduates will be able to select and apply professional behaviour and ethical standards while working in an aged care setting.

• Person-centred care: Graduates will gain transferable skills and knowledge of the physiological, safety and belonging needs of persons in aged care settings and will be able to work as health care assistants under the direction and delegation of a supervisor.

• Effective communication: Graduates will be able to provide person-centred care using effective and appropriate communication.

• Responsive: Graduates will be able to improve care and comfort cares provision by observing, recognising and responding to changes in client needs.

Entry Requirements

• A New Zealand Citizen / Permanent Resident or International student

• A minimum of 17 years of age

• Physically able to do the job

  Academic Requirements

• All applicants are required to participate in an interview as part of the entry process. The interview may be conducted face-to-face, or via Zoom or Skype to ensure the student has the literacy and numeracy skills to complete the programme.

• The interview serves to evaluate the appropriateness and suitability of the programme for the applicant, and for the applicant to understand more about the programme and NZSOR/H.

  General Requirements

• Physical Capability: Applicants must be able to fulfil the work experience requirements, which include safely moving persons according to workplace

  procedures.

• Orientation: Applicants must be willing to work with older individuals.

• Health Checks: Evidence of COVID-19 vaccination is required, as per the prerequisites of work placement organisations.

• Work Experience: All students must undertake a compulsory workplace experience of 115 hours. The NZSOR/H Academic Manager will assist in arranging a suitable workplace for students not already working in a healthcare organisation. This arrangement will be made within the first term (or six weeks) of enrolment and after successful completion of the theoretical component of the infection control unit standard.

  Criminal Record Check

• Given the vulnerability of the individuals healthcare workers interact with, NZSOR/H requires a criminal record check on all prospective students. Enrolment will remain provisional until these checks are complete.

• Any criminal convictions (except for minor traffic convictions) must be declared. Certain convictions may preclude enrolment into the programme, a decision that will be made by the NZSOR/H's Programme Leader.

For international students

International students must meet all the aforementioned requirements Additionally, they must provide evidence of English language competence. Certification must be from a general or academic IELTS with a score of 5.0 overall (with no band less than 5.0) or an equivalent internationally recognised test. Certification must be no more than two years old and from one test. Please refer to NZQA Rule 18 for more details here.

Workplace Experience

• Students may be required to work in rostered shifts, including evening, night, and early morning shifts. Safety during these shifts is managed by the healthcare organisation in accordance with their Health and Safety regulations.

• Students are expected to manage any costs of travel to and from their work experience organisation.

• Most healthcare organisations require proof of immunisation and/or health checks from students, the costs of which are to be borne by the student.

Employment pathway: Graduates can be employed in roles such as:

• Healthcare Assistant – Aged Care, Primary and Acute Care, Therapeutic Programme Care.

• Community Support Worker.

• Medical Practice Assistant, Dental Assistant.

• Homecare Support Worker / Caregiver.

• Hospital Orderly.

Education pathways: Students who successfully complete the New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Level 3) (Healthcare Assistance) have met the requirements for entry into the New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Social and Community Services) (Level 4) with a strand in Mental Health and Addiction. It may lead to further study in related health and wellbeing contexts such as the New Zealand Certificate in New Zealand Certificate Health and Wellbeing (Advanced Care and Support) (Level 4), or in leadership and management.

This programme is specifically designed for learners seeking employment by aged care providers or aged care departments in larger organisations.