Which Aged Care Course Is Better For a Career in Aged Care?

If you want a fulfilling career where you can help people and earn well, then you should go into the aged care field. In Australia, more than 1.2 million elderly citizens need to get aged care and support to get by. The number of workers in the aged care sector has also risen in the last five years. If you want to know some more about the qualifications and certifications needed, this is the perfect starting point for you.

CHC33015 Certificate III in Individual Support

There are many aged care courses available for those who want to make this their career. The minimum certification that you need to enter this industry is the CHC33015 Certificate III in Individual Support. Apart from this certificate, you will also need to be updated on your shots and get a certificate in First Aid. You will also need a National Police Certificate as a background check. This is the first step you’ll need.

This certificate course is not a very long one. It will take you half a year if you commit to it full time. However, if you do the course part time, then you might need more time than 6 months. This is a very thorough course that will teach you how to provide individualized support to all kinds of individuals. You can further choose to specialize in senior citizens, disabled citizens, etc. Certificate III is a very valuable TAFE certificate.

CHC43015 Certificate IV in Ageing Support

If you take the Certificate IV in Aged Care course at any TAFE institute, then you will be able to work with elderly people in the most direct manner. This is one of the highest professional qualifications that you can look for in the field of aged care. If you want a management level position, then this is one of the mandatory aged care courses that employers and referees are going to look for.

As this is a specialization course, it should take you a year to complete properly. This is a very intensive course and will require a lot of commitment on your part. Apart from theoretical modules, aged care has an important practical aspect that you will have to focus on also. You’ll be trained to offer palliative care, manage patients with dementia and Alzheimer’s, etc. You will also learn how to mitigate risks, prevent falls, and maintain health and hygiene and more.

Start With a Simulated Environment

Before interacting with elderly citizens, you will have to practice in a simulated environment. To prepare yourself for this stage, most aged care courses in Adelaide will place you under the guidance of a trainer. A trainer is usually a professional with a lot of experience in the field. They will be able to teach you the technical aspects of the job. More importantly, they will help you connect and empathize with your residents also.

Get the Best Course Done

It is a good idea to first go for Certificate III in individual support, gain work experience, and then complete Certificate IV in aged care. It is not a good idea to do the cheapest course available. Make sure that you do your training from a reputed TAFE institute so that employers and referees can value your certifications. It is also a good idea to train at an aged care home for experience.

Over the next 5 years, the Australian aged care industry will require a lot of trained professionals to deal with elderly citizens in need of specialized care. If you take advantage of the aged care courses in Adelaide, then you will be able to contribute towards the wellbeing of these people. This is obviously a very fulfilling and demanding task.