Commissioners Information Bulletin 366
Issued: 9 July 2008

Health Services - Vocational Training Order for the recognised traineeship vocation of Health Services - Administration

The Commissioner for Vocational Training (Commissioner), in consultation with the NSW Community Services and Health Industry Training Advisory Body (ITAB), has established the recognised traineeship vocation of Health Services - Administration and has made the Vocational Training Order (VTO) for this vocation.

The VTO specifies a number of matters including the terms of training, probationary periods, competency outcomes and courses of study to be undertaken.

A copy of the VTO supporting the recognised traineeship vocation of Health Services – Administration is at Attachment A.

Qualifications

For the purpose of the VTO in NSW, trainees can gain HLT32907 Certificate III in Health Administration and HLT43207 Certificate IV in Health Administration.

HLT32907 Certificate III in Health Administration

This qualification covers workers who complete a wide range of administrative tasks, under direct or indirect supervision. These functions can be carried out in a range of settings, including hospitals, community health centres and private practice. Occupational titles for these workers may include admissions clerk, clinical coding clerk, administrative worker and ward clerk.

HLT43207 Certificate IV in Health Administration

This qualification covers workers who provide administrative functions in health services where the worker is required to work autonomously or as a senior member of staff in an administrative team. Occupational titles for these workers may include admissions clerk, clinical coding clerk, administrative worker and ward clerk.

The units of competency, packaging and structure requirements for HLT32907 and HLT43207 are at Attachment B.

Industrial arrangements

Applications under the Apprenticeship and Traineeship Act 2001 to establish any apprenticeship or traineeship will not be approved unless the Commissioner is satisfied that appropriate industrial arrangements are in place.

Industrial arrangements under which Health Services – Administration trainees can be employed are listed at Attachment C.

Vocational Education in Schools

The ITAB has advised that HLT32907 Certificate III in Health Administration and HLT43207 Certificate IV in Health Administration are not suitable as school based, part-time traineeship pathways.

For all the school based, part-time traineeships being delivered in NSW see http://www.sbatinnsw.info/traineeships.php?t=employer

Learning resources and assessment materials

Registered Training Organisations (RTOs) are advised to visit NavigatingNSW for essential information about delivering training in NSW for this area of the health industry. Access to the website is via www.csh-itab.com.au

The ITAB will assist RTOs in identifying training support needs. The development of standardized logbooks, endorsed by the various industry stakeholders, is essential to encourage consistency of assessment and equity in training for the trainee.

Licensing

There are currently no licensing requirements within the Health Services industry in New South Wales. However, the following are requirements for training and working in the public health industry sector. Many private employers also implement these policy directives in NSW.

Immunisation: Health workers and learners undertaking work placement in NSW Health facilities must comply with the assessment, screening and vaccination requirements of Policy Directive PD 2007_006.

Criminal Record Check and Vulnerable Person:  Health workers and learners undertaking work placement in NSW Health facilities must comply with Employment Screening Using Criminal Record Checks Policy Directive PD2005_552

Availability of Registered Training Organisations

The National Training Information Service website http://www.ntis.gov.au identifies RTOs in New South Wales registered to deliver qualifications from the HLT07 Health Industry Training Package.

For any enquiries regarding this CIB, please contact the Vocational Training Tribunal Unit on (02) 9266 8579.

PHILLIP MOORE
Commissioner for Vocational Training