New short courses improve understanding of healthcare for people from all walks of life
New short courses introduced in 2023, with units delivered by Monash Rural Health, enhance knowledge of healthcare to people with a wide variety of backgrounds from administrators and personal care workers to allied health professionals.
The Undergraduate Certificate of Health Care Essentials and Undergraduate Certificate of Aged Care Health Essentials courses were developed recognising the urgent need for healthcare workers in disability, respite and aged care sectors. They help healthcare workers, or those considering healthcare as a career, understand many foundational concepts of caring for people.
The courses provide people with the knowledge of person-centred care with a choice of electives in wound prevention and care, nutrition, rural health and mental health.
They are developed by experienced health professionals, educators and researchers at Monash University and are opening up opportunities for people who previously felt unprepared for health care work.
For Renae, who returned to study after a 20-year hiatus, study provided her an opportunity to follow her interest in aged care and gave her the skills to work or volunteer in this area after working in the public service for 40 years,
“I found the study engaging and grew from the experience. It has challenged my thinking but also enabled me to explore ideas, question, consider and listen to others to enhance my learning experience and what I am learning will help me in my life.”
According to course coordinator Associate Professor Bernadette Ward, the diversity of people with different life experiences who benefited from these courses was particularly encouraging to see.
“The people who undertook the courses ranged from people who are already working in the health care sector to people from completely different backgrounds looking to undertake a career change. It was particularly satisfying to be able to give people the skills and knowledge to make major changes in their career direction and build the rural health workforce.”
For those interested in taking part in either the Undergraduate Certificate of Health Care Essentials or the Undergraduate Certificate in Aged Care Health Essentials courses in 2024, applications close on 19 February 2024. Limited Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) are also available for these courses in 2024 only.