Student Placement in Residential Aged Care

The skill-set that a person acquires before they start working is the foundations of their future career. While nothing will surpass the insight and learning gathered through years of industry work, it’s the lessons that you learn at the beginning that set the tone for what you can become.

Entering an aged care facility on student placement can be daunting. The sights, sounds, and smells of a real-life facility will add a new dimension to the role that you can’t prepare for via textbooks. The people are real, and so is the responsibility.

An aged care employee may be asked to play a variety of roles throughout any given day and these roles are made up of a multitude of different tasks, each of which is important.

Things that may appear minor or insignificant to the average person can have an effect on the wellbeing of an elderly resident, and that’s why you’re training must be of a high standard before you can enter a facility as a working student.

And in the instance that an emergency arises, you will not have the ability to turn around and ask a trainer if you can start again. This is where people run on instinct and it’s imperative that the instincts that you have learned are correct.

Starting The Journey

For a student, arriving at an aged care facility for work placement is a chance to put their newly acquired skills into practice, it’s also a time to start gathering information from more seasoned employees on how things need to be done.

This type of insight can be the best way for a student to become a knowledgeable employee, but according to the Institute of Tertiary & Higher Education Australia’s (ITHEA) Aged Care Coordinator, Dee Condy, this is only possible if the employee that the student is learning from is actually good at their job.

“Students are like sponges, so we train them the right way. And in some cases they can go to facilities where employees try and teach them the quickest way to do things instead,” she said.

“Each facility has a culture of their own, and that culture is dictated by the quality of staff they have working, these people shape the habits of the students that join the facility on work placement. If that culture is toxic, that will affect the working habits of every new person that enters that place.”

Like most team environments, an aged care facility is a team environment. That team can be made up of a mix of different types of workers ranging from Registered Nurses and Enrolled Nurses through to carers and volunteers. And while these people can work closely with each other, that doesn’t stop issues between staff from arising.

Established staff can feel threatened or jealous of new employees to a facility, and this can result in an unwillingness to share information and hinder the development of a student looking to grow and learn the trade.

Established staff can also have their own way of doing things that differ from the recommended procedure, and encourage students on placement not to ‘rock the boat,’ and forgo their training procedures, for modified and often incorrect methods.

“Lazy application breeds complacency in a workplace,” said Mrs. Condy.

“When this becomes the norm within a facility you end up with a toxic environment for both the new staff and the residents. The horror stories of neglect within facilities aren’t usually the result of a collection of evil people, they are born from an environment that doesn’t care anymore. And that starts with the small things.”

“I’ve worked for well over 30 years across a number of facilities and I’ve seen beautiful things and I’ve seen ugly things happen. When I train our students at ITHEA, I give them the skills and mindset to make the beautiful things happen, but established staff at facilities play a big part in helping these students take the next step in the right way.”

Established Staff

Bad facility working environments are the result of established staff either not having the required skills needed, or having the skills, but not possessing the right type of character to see the importance that correct procedure has on the well being of residents.

“We have upskilled a number of seasoned staff members who either forgot their previous training or failed to adapt when more efficient procedures were identified. Some of these people were simply stuck in their ways,” said Mrs. Condy.

This doesn’t make them bad people or even bad staff necessarily, but times change, just like the needs of residents, and they have to adapt. If a staff member has the right character for the job, they should be willing to do what’s necessary for the residents. These people are the ones that set the tone of the culture at a facility.

When asked about her thoughts regarding staff who didn’t appear to have the right type of character for the job, Dee Condy did not mince her words.

“You get rid of them. You need to be able to empathise with a resident and put yourself in their shoes. If a staff member has displayed that isn’t a priority, they shouldn’t be anywhere near a vulnerable person who needs care. Because of one of these rotten apples can spoil the bunch.”

For more information on ITHEA training go to www.ithea.edu.au

Written by Jacob Neeland from Hello Care

See the full article here

Government Funded Aged Care Training

Importance of Ageing Support Education

It’s Time to End Elderly Abuse

It is disturbing to think that our elderly residents could be treated in such a horrible and abusive manner. Unfortunately, for many, this is the stark reality that they have to live with as they suffer abuse. It can be in the form of verbal, physical, sexual or financial, and many of our elderly residents are too afraid to speak up. Mistreating and abusing elderly residents is unacceptable and needs to be stopped immediately.

Royal Commission into the Treatment of Elderly Residents

A recent inquiry into the treatment of elderly residents found that many have and continue to experience serious forms of abuse. Even more concerning is the fact the abuse is often caused by a friend, carer or family member. The Victorian State Trustee is currently investigating about 200 cases of elderly abuse around Victoria.

As a result of these findings, the federal government has announced a Royal Commission into the aged care industry. With a final report to be handed in by April 30, 2020, the report will hopefully give the government a greater insight into the abuse residents receive, and why extra funding is needed in the sector.

Helping You Make a Difference

Reports like these highlight the lack of skills and training throughout the aged care industry. Too many students are going into full-time work without the required employability skills. At ITHEA, our aged care courses are a nationally recognised qualification that is highly regarded in the industry.

We offer prospective students a Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) and a Certificate IV in Ageing Support at our Melbourne campus. To obtain either qualification, students must undertake a minimum of 120 hours of supervised, practical placement at an affiliate aged care facility. This gives students the ability to gain real-world experience and knowledge of the day-to-day role as an aged care employee.

Our teachers are industry leaders and implement their expertise in the curriculum. This ensures our students get the best education from leading professionals in real-world learning environments through placement and our city campus.

At ITHEA, our educators mentor students in all areas of aged care, to ensure they are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to look after elderly residents. For more about our Aged Care courses in Melbourne, get in touch with us today by calling, (03) 9650 3900.

Gain Valuable Skills for a Rewarding Career in Aged Care

Our population is growing fast and many of our Victorian residents are getting older. Which means, a number of our elderly citizens will need to go into Residential Aged Care in the future. As the population ages, the need for specialist carers is in high demand.

We are passionate about raising the standards in Residential Aged Care. As such we want to give employers the best possible workforce. Staff who are knowledgeable, professional and caring.

We look for students who have a positive caring attitude towards the elderly. After all, the industry is about looking after those who are unable to look after themselves.

Industry Consultation

Our curriculum is designed in consultation with the industry and our qualifications are nationally recognised.

Whether you are a job seeker, need to up-skill or looking for a new career, ITHEA offers prospective students courses in ageing support.

• Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing)
• Certificate IV in Ageing Support

Both courses are delivered in a classroom setting or via a blended approach. The blended approach is designed for those who are currently working in the industry and are looking to upskill into a Certificate IV in Ageing Support.

Placement in Real Aged Care Facilities

As part of our curriculum, all students must undertake a minimum of 120 hours of practical placement, for both the Certificate III and IV, at an affiliated aged care facility. All students are assessed under supervision.

This is critical to ensuring our students build their employability skills. Students gain valuable knowledge and skills to work in the industry. As students undertake placement in real residential aged care facilities, many are offered employment once they complete their studies.

Note: It important students have a valid National Police Check before they begin placement.

Study Full Time and be Qualified in One Year

Here at ITHEA, we want students to be fully equipped with the skills and training they need to work in the aged care industry. Students have up to one year to complete the Certificate III or IV courses. All units must must be successfully completed to obtain the qualification. ITHEA ensures students receive the best training and qualifications.

Spotlight on the Aged Care Industry

The Federal government is committed to increasing quality. As a result, the Prime Minister has announced a Royal Commission into the Aged Care industry. This will put a spotlight on the quality of education and training of the Aged care workforce.

The terms of reference for the Royal Commission are as follows:

• Quality and safety including the extent of substandard care.
• How to best deliver care services to people with disabilities residing in aged care facilities including younger people.
• How to best deliver care to the increasing number of Australians living with dementia.
• The future challenges and opportunities for delivering accessible, affordable and high quality aged care services, including people’s desire to remain living at home as they age, and aged care in rural, regional and remote Australia.
• What the Government, the aged care sector, Australian families and the wider community can do to strengthen care services to ensure quality and safety.
• How to allow people greater choice, control and independence and how to improve engagement with families and carers.
• How to best deliver sustainable aged care services through innovative care and investment in the aged care workforce and infrastructure.
• Any matters that the Commissioners believe is relevant to their inquiry.

Here at ITHEA, our Certificate III in Individual Support (Ageing) and Certificate IV in Ageing Support are highly regarded by those in the industry.

A career in Aged Care in Melbourne is just an application away. To find out more about our courses get in touch with ITHEA today on (03) 9650 3900 or send an enquiry online.