Monash University is seeking partnerships with aged care providers to offer 500 fee-free places to workers to complete an undergraduate qualification in aged care.
The Undergraduate Certificate of Aged Care Health Essentials – which includes four units offered across two semesters – is delivered online and designed to be completed part-time within a year.
It is designed for people who work or volunteer in all aged care settings to build their understanding of safety, nutrition, wound prevention and care and mental health for older people.
More than 120 aged care staff completed the course in 2023 and Monash has secured 500 Commonwealth Supported Places for 2024, said Jackie Conheady, director at Monash Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences.
“Knowledge and evidence-based guidelines that are relevant to their roles can boost worker satisfaction, retention and progression. And learning together across an organisation can be a boost to culture and quality,” Ms Conheady told Community Care Review.
Monash University developed the course – and put forward a proposal to the government for supported places – in response to the findings of the aged care royal commission to address workforce challenges.
The course is taught by experienced academics at Monash using videos, online forums for students, reading materials and more. There are no exams with assessments undertaken via quizzes and assignments. The course is a pathway to Bachelor of Health Sciences for eligible students.
Students must complete the first unit – Caring for others: Safety and health – and choose three of the following:
- mental disorders in older people
- improving nutrition and ageing
- fundamentals of skin and wound care
- innovation in rural health.
To access a CSP place students must be Australian citizens or permanent residents. To ensure best outcomes, Monash University requests places are taken by staff who have the time and the necessary supports in place to be able to dedicate a few hours per week to study during semester teaching periods – from 26 February to 24 May (semester 1) and from 22 July to 18 October (semester 2).
Click to find out about and how apply for the Aged Care Health Essentials course.
