Hey welcome to ATARnotes!
I'm doing Allied Health Assistance alongside my VCE in Year 12 this year.
What are the benefits of doing Allied Health?
Because AHA is a Certificate III course, I guess the main benefit is that you have a
qualification. Being trained and qualified opens job opportunities and allows you to start "higher" than someone without any training, for example. That might benefit you in the short term by allowing you to have an allied health-care job during high school or further study, or even longer should you choose to pursue allied health as a career.
Another benefit is
work experience. As with most vocational courses (VET), a minimum number of workplace experience is required - usually 125 hours iirc. Depending on who is coordinating your course, you may be placed with a business (without the need to apply) and even paid a small wage.
In my case, our course coordinator organised work placements with local businesses and pays us. I was placed at a haemotology and oncology day treatment unit and day procedure centre. We usually work 7 hours per week, during school hours. The pay differs by age but I get close to $12/hr.
Of course, work existence is also something hugely beneficial to your CV. It also develops "soft skills" (teamwork, communication, punctuality etc).
There have also been many cases in which the placement hires their trainee after they complete the course. Even if you don't which to pursue allied health as a career, you can establish connections to other health services or networks etc.
I also find having a
break from rigorous academic study a bonus. I really enjoy working and being in New environments. Going to placement every week and mixing with new people in my VET class has been an awesome existence this year. It would depend on your academic ability, the content of the AHA course is objectively very straightforward. The assignments are fun and easy, and placement just involves work like any other job. I'll talk more about the academics below.
The
ATAR contribution is also quite appealing. VET courses at the Certificate I and II level are considered equivalent to a Unit 1/2 study, while at Certificate III and IV they are considered to be 3/4 units in your VCE or VCAL program. I'll talk more about how exactly the contribution works below.
Also, it is
low cost. Many TAFE (VET) courses have tuition fees of a couple of thousand dollars. As as student, you don't pay those fees. Also, from next year, the Andrews state government is making some TAFE courses free to complete. AHA is identified as an area of skill shortage, so your course costs should be minimal. I was also given senior CPR training for nothing.
What is the subject compromised of?
The subject is comprised of two modes: academic and vocational. In other words, classwork and work placement. Since I have already addressed the work experience (7hrs a week for us), I'll explain the academic side (4hrs a week for us).
The course consists of 11 units. 8 are core subjects that will be the same across all RTOs (schools/instituions):
1. Maintain a high standard of service
2. Communicate and work in health or community services
3. Work with diverse people
4. Recognise healthy body systems
5. Assist with an allied health program
6. Comply with infection prevention and control policies and procedures
7. Participate in workplace health and safety
8. Interpret and apply medical terminology appropriately
Then, there are 3 elective units that may differ between instituions. Our RTO does:
1. Provide first aid
2. Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation
3. Maintain patient records
You can check all available units, and explore them in more detail on the Australian
Training.gov site.
Our RTO then sorted the units into clusters: Understanding Health, Risk, Industry Skills and Health Support. We learn things like basic anatomy, different diseases and their causes, infection control procedures, hazard and risk assessment, client record software, different Allied Health careers etc.
What kind of work/assignments are given?
We have assignments that are "written questions" (definitions, mostly health science related), "reflections"(about our workplace), "observations"(roleplays with the class) and other types of posters, pamphlets, flyers, letters, etc.
The assignments aren't that hard or exhausting as VCE subjects. But I personally enjoy them. I don't think think I have made a flyer for year, but is fun and creative now!
The nature and number of assignments will differ between RTOs, but it should definitely be manageable!
Are there any tests/exams?
There are no tests or exams that are similar to VCE or regular school subjects. However, attaining the qualification is based on competency. Assignments must be completed to a satisfactory level, and you are also assessed by people in the workplace (as well as teachers that come in to observe you).
That, however, is in my case. There may very well be RTOs out there that conduct tests and exams. In which case, the ATAR contribution would change. (As explained below)
How does this subject contribute/play a role in calculating your ATAR?
If, like in my case, your degree is competency-based, you won't receive a mark. However you still will get an increment on the ATAR as a
10% increment as a 5th or 6th study .
For this situation, the study score increment is determined by the average of the Top 4 subjects.
For graded courses, I suspect your mark would affect the increment.
AHA has been quite a fun subject for me. I would highly recommend that you get to know your potential RTO'S individual changes to the course. If you can get onto past students of that institution, even better.
Good luck in making your decision and do also any more questions you may have !!
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