Health care and social assistance is Australia’s largest and fastest growing industry and there’s so much more to it than what you see when you visit your local GP or hospital.
Within the sector there are lots of different career options, including many you can launch into with a TAFE qualification.
Here’s five careers in the health sector you might not have considered and some courses to get you started:
Allied health assistant
If you don’t work in healthcare you may not be familiar with the term “allied health”. But chances are you would have been treated by an allied health professional at some point – these include physiotherapists, dentists, occupational therapists, speech pathologists, optometrists and more.
Allied health assistants are the ‘go-to’ people for these professionals, helping with patient care, encouraging patients to complete treatment plans, booking appointments or managing administrative tasks.
Allied health assistance courses:
The Certificate III in Allied Health Assistance (HLT33015) qualification will enable you to work in entry level positions across a wide range of positions in the health sector such as patient care assistant, occupational therapy assistant and physiotherapy assistant.
Pathology collector
Pathology is a vital part of our health system, playing a role in 70 per cent of medical diagnoses.
On the front line of this process are pathology collectors, who take blood or other samples, label them and prepare them to be sent to laboratories for analysis.
Most pathology collectors work in hospitals or suburban collection centres and some travel to the homes of those who are housebound.
Pathology collection courses:
The Certificate III in Pathology Collection will give you a good understanding of how to collect and process pathology specimens. It could lead to work as a pathology collector, a pathology receptionist or laboratory assistant.
Aged carer
Can you see yourself taking care of the emotional, social and physical wellbeing of elderly people? If you can, you might be suited to working in aged care.
Very strong future jobs growth has been predicted for aged carers and you could find yourself working in a residential aged care facility or providing in-home care.
Aged care courses:
The Certificate III in Individual Support – Ageing, Home & Community is a great starting point to become a care worker, while the Certificate IV in Ageing Support will enable you to work with those who require more complex management and special assistance and to liaise with health care professionals about patients in their care.
Dental assistant
Dentists play a vital role in ensuring the oral health of their patients and right alongside them are dental assistants.
Dental assistants ensure dental clinics run smoothly. Typical tasks include handing instruments to the dentist during procedures, operating handheld suction or water-spraying equipment, sterilising equipment and playing an important role in the administrative aspect of running a dental practice.
Dental assisting courses:
The Certificate III in Dental Assisting qualifies you to work as a health care assistant to dentists, dental hygienist or dental therapist.
Disability support worker
Are you a caring person who wants to help people to live their best lives? Consider a career in disability support.
The National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) allows around 500,000 Australians under 65 years, who have permanent and significant disability, to access funding and support services.
Support workers are needed to provide various services including household assistance, emotional support, care and companionship.
Disability support courses:
The Certificate IV in Disability can lead to positions such as integration aid, residential care officer, adult training services worker or disability support officer. It can also lead to further training including the Diploma of Community Services.