Study HLT33115 Certificate III in Health Services Assistance in Melbourne
HLT33115 Certificate III in Health Services Assistance is a nationally recognised qualification for people who want to develop practical skills for hospital and health services support work.
Phillips Institute delivers this course through face-to-face classes at our Carnegie training centre in Melbourne, with practical skills training, healthcare simulations and a two-week hospital placement organised by Phillips Institute.
No previous hospital or health qualification is required. The course may suit people entering the hospital sector for the first time as well as existing health services workers who want to develop broader skills or gain a nationally recognised qualification.
Course at a glance
- Qualification: HLT33115 Certificate III in Health Services Assistance
- Delivery: Face-to-face class-based training at Carnegie, Melbourne
- Full-time: Approximately 18 weeks – Thursday and Friday, 9:30am to 2:30pm
- Part-time: Approximately 22 weeks – Wednesday 5:30pm to 8:30pm and Saturday 9:00am to 12:30pm
- Intakes: Classes generally commence monthly
- Hospital placement: Two-week practical placement in a Melbourne metropolitan hospital, organised by Phillips Institute
- Previous hospital experience: Not required
- Study mode: Class-based only – this course is not currently offered online or by distance
- RPL and credit transfer: Available for eligible applicants with relevant previous training, skills or experience
Who is this course suitable for?
HLT33115 may suit people who want to begin or develop a career in hospital and health services support.
It may be particularly suitable if you:
- want to work in a hospital environment in a patient services or health services assistance role;
- are looking for practical, face-to-face training rather than online study;
- want experience in a real hospital environment through an organised practical placement;
- already work in a hospital or health service and want to broaden or formalise your skills;
- are interested in roles such as Patient Services Assistant, Patient Care Attendant, Clinical Assistant, Health Care Assistant, wards person, orderly or porter; or
- want to build a foundation for further health-sector training, including Phillips Institute’s specialist Operating Theatre Technician program.
Job titles and duties vary between hospitals and health services, and completion of the qualification does not guarantee employment in a particular role.
What will I learn?
The Phillips Institute program develops practical skills relevant to hospital and health services support work. Training includes:
- using and interpreting basic medical terminology;
- understanding healthy body systems;
- infection prevention and control;
- assisting with safe movement and transport of patients;
- manual handling and safe work practices;
- preparing and maintaining hospital beds;
- clinical cleaning practices;
- food safety;
- communicating effectively in health services;
- working legally and ethically; and
- responding appropriately to people, workplace situations and behaviours of concern.
Training includes demonstrations, practical activities and simulations using healthcare equipment so that students can develop skills before commencing hospital placement.
Delivery and practical training
HLT33115 is delivered as face-to-face training at Phillips Institute in Carnegie, Melbourne. Students can choose from full-time or part-time class schedules.
This is a practical course and is not currently delivered online or by distance. Classes combine trainer-led learning with practical activities, healthcare simulations, discussion, assessment and preparation for hospital placement.
Phillips Institute provides learning and assessment resources, practical training equipment and personal protective equipment required during training. Students also receive a placement polo shirt for their hospital placement.
Hospital placement
Phillips Institute’s HLT33115 program includes a two-week practical placement in a Melbourne metropolitan hospital.
Phillips Institute organises the hospital placement for students who have successfully completed the required course work and meet the placement readiness and host hospital requirements.
The placement provides an opportunity to apply course skills in a real health services environment and complete required workplace-based assessment activities.
Placement timing depends on hospital availability and completion of all required placement documentation, so students are encouraged to provide their checks and health documentation well before completing the classroom component.
Course duration and class schedules
Full-time: Approximately 18 weeks of classes at Carnegie, every Thursday and Friday from 9:30am to 2:30pm.
Part-time: Approximately 22 weeks of classes at Carnegie, Wednesday from 5:30pm to 8:30pm and Saturday from 9:00am to 12:30pm.
The class duration does not include the two-week hospital placement. The final completion date may vary depending on placement scheduling and individual assessment progress.
Students have up to 12 months to complete all course requirements. Eligible credit transfer or Recognition of Prior Learning may reduce the amount of training or assessment required for some students.
Entry and placement requirements
No previous health qualification or hospital experience is required to enrol in the Phillips Institute HLT33115 program.
Applicants need suitable English language, literacy, numeracy and digital skills to participate safely and successfully in training and in a hospital environment. Phillips Institute completes a pre-training review as part of the enrolment process to help determine whether the course and level of study are suitable for each applicant.
Before hospital placement, students must meet the requirements of the host hospital. These may include:
- a current National Police Check;
- a Working with Children Check;
- required immunisation and health-screening evidence; and
- any additional documentation or requirements specified by the placement hospital.
Phillips Institute provides guidance during the course so that students can prepare their placement documentation in advance.
Career opportunities and further pathways
HLT33115 Certificate III in Health Services Assistance can support employment in a range of hospital and health services assistance roles.
Depending on the employer, job titles may include:
- Patient Services Assistant (PSA)
- Patient Services Attendant
- Patient Care Attendant (PCA)
- Clinical Assistant (CA)
- Health Care Assistant (HCA)
- Hospital Orderly
- Wards Person
- Porter
- Environmental Services Assistant (ESA)
- Food Services Assistant (FSA)
The exact role, title and duties depend on the hospital or health service and its employment requirements.
After gaining relevant hospital experience, HLT33115 graduates may also be interested in Phillips Institute’s Operating Theatre Technician specialist program.
If your career interests are more focused on healthcare reception, records, medical terminology and administrative work, you may instead be interested in HLT37315 Certificate III in Health Administration.
Units of competency
HLT33115 Certificate III in Health Services Assistance consists of 15 units of competency: 7 core units and 8 elective units. Phillips Institute’s program has been structured to develop practical skills relevant to patient services assistance and other hospital and health services support roles.
Core units (7)
- BSBMED301 – Interpret and apply medical terminology appropriately
- BSBWOR301 – Organise personal work priorities and development
- CHCCOM005 – Communicate and work in health or community services
- CHCDIV001 – Work with diverse people
- HLTAAP001 – Recognise healthy body systems
- HLTINF006 – Apply basic principles and practices of infection prevention and control
- HLTWHS001 – Participate in workplace health and safety
Elective units (8)
- CHCCCS002 – Assist with movement
- CHCCCS012 – Prepare and maintain beds
- CHCCCS020 – Respond effectively to behaviours of concern
- CHCCCS026 – Transport individuals
- CHCLEG001 – Work legally and ethically
- HLTFSE001 – Follow basic food safety practices
- HLTHSS003 – Perform general cleaning tasks in a clinical setting
- HLTWHS005 – Conduct manual tasks safely
Hospital placement: Phillips Institute’s HLT33115 program includes a two-week practical placement in a hospital setting. The placement provides students with an opportunity to apply relevant skills and knowledge in a real health services environment and complete workplace-based assessment requirements.
Phillips Institute organises a suitable Melbourne metropolitan hospital placement for students who meet the required placement readiness and host organisation requirements.
Elective units may be subject to change in accordance with qualification packaging rules and training requirements.
Frequently asked questions
Can I study HLT33115 Certificate III in Health Services Assistance online?
No. Phillips Institute currently delivers HLT33115 Certificate III in Health Services Assistance as class-based training at our Carnegie campus in Melbourne. The course includes practical training, simulations and a hospital placement and is not currently offered by online or distance delivery.
How long does HLT33115 Certificate III in Health Services Assistance take?
Phillips Institute offers full-time and part-time class schedules. The current full-time program is approximately 18 weeks and the part-time program approximately 22 weeks, followed by a two-week hospital placement. Placement timing may affect the final course completion date.
Does the course include hospital placement?
Yes. Phillips Institute’s HLT33115 program includes a two-week practical hospital placement. Students must complete the required training and placement preparation requirements before they can commence placement.
Does Phillips Institute organise my hospital placement?
Yes. Phillips Institute has strong hospital and health sector relationships and organises a suitable Melbourne metropolitan placement opportunity for students who meet the required course, placement readiness and host organisation requirements.
What jobs can HLT33115 Certificate III in Health Services Assistance lead to?
The qualification can support employment in a range of hospital and health services assistance roles. Job titles used by employers may include Patient Services Assistant (PSA), Patient Services Attendant, Patient Care Attendant, hospital orderly, wards person, porter, clinical assistant, Health Care Assistant, Environmental Services Assistant or Food Services Assistant. Job titles and duties vary between employers.
Do I need previous health or hospital experience to enrol?
No previous health qualification or hospital experience is required. Applicants do need suitable English language, literacy, numeracy and basic digital skills to participate successfully in training and work safely in a hospital environment.
What checks and documents do I need before hospital placement?
Students must meet the requirements of the hospital or health service hosting their placement. These may include a current National Police Check, Working with Children Check and evidence that required immunisation or health screening requirements have been met. Phillips Institute provides further information during the course so students can prepare well before placement.
Can HLT33115 lead to Operating Theatre Technician training?
Yes. HLT33115 can provide a pathway towards Phillips Institute’s Operating Theatre Technician program. Entry to the specialist program is intended for HLT33115 graduates who also have suitable hospital work experience in a PSA, theatre or similar hospital support role.
I already work in a hospital as an ESA, LSA or FSA. Is HLT33115 suitable if I want to become a PSA?
Yes. HLT33115 can be a suitable pathway for existing hospital support workers who want to move into more patient-facing health services assistance roles. Your existing hospital experience may help you adapt quickly to the workplace context, although you still need to complete the required training and assessment. Phillips Institute offers both daytime and part-time evening/Saturday class options to suit people who are already working.
Can I apply for Recognition of Prior Learning?
Yes. Applicants with relevant previous qualifications, skills or current industry experience may be eligible for credit transfer or Recognition of Prior Learning. Eligibility is assessed individually against the requirements of the relevant units of competency.
Still have questions about Certificate III in Health Services Assistance?
Talk to Phillips Institute about class schedules, hospital placement, entry requirements, employment pathways or whether HLT33115 Certificate III in Health Services Assistance is the right starting point for your health services career.
Related courses and further study
Depending on your experience and career goals, you may also be interested in the HLT33115 Operating Theatre Technician program, HLT37315 Certificate III in Health Administration, CHC33021 Certificate III in Individual Support, or CHC43015 Certificate IV in Ageing Support.