New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Level 3) strands Health Assistance or Support Work

As part of the government’s Targeted Training and Apprenticeships Fund (TTAF) to rebuild New Zealand's economy, this programme is now free^. For terms and conditions, more information, and other programmes covered by this scheme, click here.

Due to high demand, we recommend applying early.

Programme highlights

Would you like to work as a healthcare assistant or support worker in an essential industry? 

This programme will prepare you to work in a support role within a range of health or wellbeing sectors. 

You will learn the skills and knowledge to provide person-centred support to individuals in their daily lives. 

This programme has a focus on caring for the elderly, in particular, learning how to care and support someone living with dementia.

Choose your specialist strand:

Health assistance: Become a healthcare assistant and provide person-centred care under the direction and delegation of a registered nurse. Follow a patient care plan to support and assist individuals with their daily activities. You could work in primary and acute facilities or hospitals, care homes and on therapeutic programmes.

Support work: Become a support worker and provide person-centred support to maximise client independence. You will learn how to support a client in meeting their individual needs and provide assistance with activities of daily living.  You will be able to support clients within the community and primary health care settings.

This programme includes a minimum of 100 hours of work experience.

Find out more information on each course in the programme structure.

Māori and Pasifika Pathways

If you are of Māori or Pasifika descent then you also have access to Te Ara Oranga while studying this programme.

Te Ara Oranga will support you to succeed in a way that suits your needs and you will get connected with industry, opening doors to your health career pathway.

Learn more

Key facts

Start Month(s) February, July
Study Location(s) MIT Manukau
Level 3
Domestic fees Free^
Youth Guarantee (fees-free*) Available (eligibility criteria applies)
Programme Code NZ2470
Duration

20 weeks (full-time)
Study Method Full-time
Credits 70
International Fees Not available to international students
Māori and Pasifika Trades Training Scholarship (fees-free*) Not available
Qualification New Zealand Certificate

Study nursing at Manukau Institute of Technology

Entry requirements

General

Be 17 years of age or older.

Academic

Applicants must meet the following criteria for admission into the programme:

NCEA Level 1 or equivalent DAS Unit Standards.

For applicants 20 years of age and over there are no minimum academic requirements;

And

Can demonstrate equivalent knowledge/capability through relevant work experience with the approval of the Industry Manager;

Or

Have successfully completed a New Zealand Certificate in Foundation Skills (Level 2) or equivalent.

Interviews

Applicants are required to attend an interview to determine their suitability for the programme. During the interview the applicant will be assessed against the requirements of the Faculty’s policy for students accessing placements in the health context in terms of their suitability for placement in either the health assistance or support worker role. At interview the suitability of students to work with vulnerable populations will also be addressed to establish the students’ suitability. Vulnerable Children’s Act will also be addressed during the interview process.

English Language entry requirements

Applicants must have sufficient competence in the English language to undertake this programme which is taught and assessed in English. Any applicant whose first language is not English will be required to provide evidence of their English language competency as follows:

English language requirements for applicants for whom English is a second language:

Applicants for whom English is a second language (including international applicants) for the minimum English language requirements refer to the requirements set out in the NZQF Programme and Accreditation Rules
https://www.nzqa.govt.nz/providers-partners/qa-system-for-teos/english-international-students/

Regulatory or other requirements

This programmes includes a minimum of 100 hours of work experience. Workplace can be embedded throughout the programme where a student is in a workplace environment.

Or will be scheduled throughout the programme to ensure student has the necessary practicum experience to meet competence.

Students will be required to undergo initial and ongoing checks to ensure they are a fit and proper person to provide support in the health and wellbeing sectors.

Applicants of this programme will need to undergo police vetting and VCA checking.

Immune status requirements as per industry needs.

This programme adheres to and is consistent with the Health and Disability Commissioner (Code of Health and Disability Services Consumers’ Rights) Regulations 1996, the Privacy Act 1993, the Health and Safety in Employment Act 1992, and any other legislative or contractual requirements to which the industry or role is subject.

Provisional entry

Students who have attained the age of 20 years and do not hold the minimum entry requirements for a programme will be eligible to be enrolled as a student where their previous educational, work or life experience indicates they have a reasonable likelihood of success. Students who have not attained the age of 20 years and do not hold the required minimum entry requirements for a programme may also be eligible to enrol in exceptional circumstances. Such decisions will be made by the Director/Head of School.

Career opportunities

Graduates of the Health Assistance strand may be employed as healthcare assistants in a range of contexts including acute care, primary care, aged residential care and therapeutic programmes.

Graduates of the Support Work strand may be employed in a range of roles supporting people in the community including disability, ACC support work, in home support roles.

Programme structure

You will need to complete the below five courses from your chosen strand (70 credits):
Healthcare assistant strand

724.301 Caring within a health or wellbeing setting (10 credits)

You will demonstrate knowledge of ethical and legal frameworks which underpin person-centred support and care for clients.

724.302 Supporting a safe environment for the health assistant (15 credits)

This course allows you to demonstrate knowledge of maintaining safe work practices while providing person-centred care.

724.303 Socio-cultural awareness and safety for the health assistant (5 credits)

You will demonstrate knowledge of socio-cultural dynamics to ensure culturally safe practices when delivering person-centred care.

724.304 Functional individual client needs for the health assistant (20 credits)

You will be able to demonstrate knowledge of impact on functional ability on an individual in order to provide person-centred care.

724.305 Communication for the health assistant (20 credits)

You will be able to demonstrate effective communication strategies to manage challenging behaviour within a health or wellbeing setting.

Support work strand

724.301 Caring within a health or wellbeing setting (10 credits)

You will demonstrate knowledge of ethical and legal frameworks which underpin person-centred support and care for clients.

724.306 Supporting a safe environment for the support worker (15 credits)

This course allows you to demonstrate knowledge of maintaining safety when providing person-centred care.

724.307 Socio-cultural awareness and safety for the support worker (5 credits)

You will demonstrate knowledge of socio-cultural dynamics to ensure safety when delivering person-centred care.

724.308 Functional individual client needs for the support worker (20 credits)

You will be able to demonstrate knowledge of impact on functional ability on an individual in order to provide person-centred care.

724.309 Communication for the support worker (20 credits)

You will be able to demonstrate effective communication strategies to manage challenging behaviour within a health or wellbeing setting.

Key dates

To find the start date of your programme intake listed above, please view the health and counselling calendar.

Further training or study

Download a health and counselling brochure

Book a tour

Need help?

Apply now

Information is correct as at October 2019. Programme fees are based on a full-time student and may vary depending on your final selection of courses that make up your programme. To provide you with an indication of costs, the approximate fees quoted in this publication are based on the indicative 2020 fee structure. The indicative programme fees for 2020 do not include the Compulsory Student Services Fee (CSSF). The CSSF is an additional levy to your 2020 programme or course fees. Further information about the CSSF can be found here www.manukau.ac.nz/cssf. Programmes stated as eligible for free study in 2020 are based on the 2019 fee structure and subject to funding confirmation for 2020. All fees are in New Zealand Dollars. You will be advised of the current fees at the time of enrolment. All courses and programmes will proceed subject to numbers and academic approval. Manukau Institute of Technology is accredited under the provisions of the Education Act 1989. International students must study in class and will not be able to enrol for online study options.

^Free study for this qualification may be available to you under the government’s Targeted Training and Apprenticeships Fund (TTAF). Visit https://www.tec.govt.nz/funding/funding-and-performance/funding/fund-finder/targeted-training-and-apprenticeship-fund/faqs-for-learners/ for eligibility criteria and more information. Students must be eligible to study as a domestic student and meet any other entry criteria as required. Some costs may also apply. Free study is subject to funding confirmation.

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