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Expansion of training program offers health support staff new direction
A successful 2006 pilot program will be expanded this year for health support staff to improve the provision of health services in Victoria.Medical practices, nursing homes and private and public hospitals now have the opportunity to provide reception, support and administrative staff at all career levels, with additional training aimed at improving the overall provision of healthcare services provided to the community.
Esset Australia and the Australian Medical Association Victoria today announced they would jointly provide a suite of nationally recognised health administration qualifications over the next three years.
AMA Victoria Vice-President Dr Doug Travis, a urologist with a practice in Footscray said well trained practice support staff were essential for running a successful practice for both doctors and their patients.
“There are many skills a person needs beyond just office administration to successfully work in health administration,” he said.
Enrolments are now being taken for the expanded program after the success of the pilot last year.
Esset Australia managing director Phill Bevan said it was expected about 30 people would participate in the pilot program in 2006, but huge demand resulted in over 210 participants.
“Clearly there is real demand for quality courses specifically for health support staff,” he said.
The various training programs are delivered through a blend of workshops, on-the-job coaching and distance based material.
Monash University Health Service Practice Manager Belinda Campain has her three permanent staff members participating in the pilot program for Certificate III.
The busy practice caters for the 25,000 staff and students at Monash University Clayton Campus and has 10 doctors.
“One of the biggest advantages about this course is the facilitator comes to us, so staff don’t have to arrange to get to sessions,” Ms Campain said.
Course facilitators meet with participants regularly, at a location convenient for them, to ensure both metropolitan and regional Victorian health support staff are able to access the course.
Ms Campain said her three staff, who are half way through the two year course, had a range of experience in the medical practice environment, from 12 months to 10 years.
“The course has been suitable for all of them. The course has helped make staff more aware of practice policy and procedures and made staff more aware of the responsibility they can carry in the practice.
“The course reinforces things they are already doing on the job – it is not necessarily all new skills, but it is about bringing it all together and making a package.”
Ms Campain said there were limited training options for health support staff and this course was important because it offered a specific qualification.
The suite of qualifications available are:
• Certificate II for medical receptionists
• Certificate III for medical administrators
The courses cover topics including:
• Medical accounts
• Patient records
• Risk management
• Confidentiality
• Infection control
• Manual handling
• First aid certificate
Further information on the courses please call Ph. 9280 8700.
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