Certificate IV in Mental Health - CHC43315

Certificate IV in Mental Health - CHC43315

As part of the Certificate IV in Mental Health CHC43315, you will undertake professional experience placement in a community services environment. The following information outlines examples of the fundamental tasks you will be expected to carry out during on-campus learning activities and professional experience placement.

These examples are provided for your information only and are not entry requirements.

There are a range of adjustments to your study conditions available to enable and support you to undertake these tasks. Please contact the Equitable Learning Services to discuss any adjustments you may require. 

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Verbal expression and comprehension (understanding)

What do I need to be able to do?

Understand and respond to verbal communication.

As applicants will work with vulnerable clients, applicants are required to demonstrate good communication skills and present with a calm and engaging demeanour.

In the work environment, this will assist you in your work with clients to establish relationships, undertake assessment and deliver programs in a safe manner.

Verbally communicate clear instructions and explanations in a time responsive way.

In the Mental Health services environment, verbal communication is the primary source of communication between you, your clients and your team. Clear communication assists in safely supporting clients.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

Additional time allowances for comprehension and expression may be available to you for on-campus learning activities.

Professional experience placement activities may require time responsive communication. This should be discussed with your Placement Coordinator prior to commencing your placement.

Social communication

Social Communication refers to the capacity to understand and use appropriate non-verbal communication such as: eye contact, gestures, facial expression, speaking volume, tone of voice, proximity and verbal turn-taking.

What do I need to be able to do?

Recognise, interpret, use and respond to non-verbal communication appropriately in both on-campus and mental health services settings to demonstrate understanding, build relationships and establish trust with others.

During work placement activities and on-campus simulation environments, tasks which require the use of social communication abilities include:

  • identifying that a client is uncomfortable, upset, frightened, under influence of drug or alcohol from their facial expression or body posture 
  • responding to clients with open body language, eye contact and facial expressions to demonstrate understanding and empathy.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.  

Consideration will be given to the use of non-verbal communication appropriate to your disability or condition for example, if you have a vision or hearing impairment, you may rely more on using either auditory or visual means of social communication.

What do I need to be able to do?

Correctly use and apply knowledge of theory, research, and practice gained from the on-campus learning setting in clinical situations during your professional experience placement.

In the mental health services environment, case work tasks require:  

  • focus, problem solving, interacting and providing feedback to clients simultaneously and in a time appropriate manner. 
  • engagement with clients and others with this level of focus and concentration throughout a designated period of duty or shift.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

You may use assistive technology and strategies such as rest breaks to support your memory, planning and organisation in the on-campus learning environment. The use of these strategies during professional experience work placements should be discussed with the placement coordinator prior to commencement.

Students will need to have resilience and coping strategies in place to manage the potential challenges of the course. Triggers could occur from the intake information and a number of role plays throughout the course, so it is suggested that those with a lived experience of mental health or AOD issues, family violence and other access to community services should be at least 12 months in their recovery or 12 months from being in crisis.

Mental wellness is a state of well-being in which an individual can realise their own abilities or potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life and can work productively and fruitfully.

Behavioural stability refers to an individual’s ability to moderate their own behaviour.
Stable mental health promotes optimal and safe engagement in on-campus learning environments. Many people who live with mental health conditions complete their studies successfully. The following services are available to support students living with mental health conditions at RMIT: 

What do I need to be able to do?

The on campus learning environment can be challenging and will require you to engage with peers and teaching staff, reflect on your work and respond appropriately to constructive feedback.

Interpreting simulations can present complex and unpredictable human situations which require the following:

  • managing multiple demands with engagement, focus and composure
  • undertaking interpreting assessments when your performance will be recorded either in audio or video format in an enclosed sound proof booth room or a small classroom with specialised equipment
  • managing client content of a sensitive, confronting or traumatic nature with objectivity and accuracy

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments such can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you. 

Flexible arrangements for your professional experience placement will be considered. The appropriateness and practicality of these arrangements may vary between placements and agencies and should be discussed with your placement coordinator prior to commencement of the placement. 

You may be supported to take time off from your studies if you become unwell or have difficulties with behavioural stability until you are ready to recommence.

You are required to complete a language, literacy and numeracy skills test before course commencement. This will determine course suitability and if you may need additional support.

We use an approved online skills review tool to determine your language, literacy and numeracy skills within Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF)

The levels required for this course include:

  • Language and literacy: 3
  • Numeracy: 2

Practical Placement

You will be required to complete a minimum of 80 hours of practical placement at stage 2 of this course.

Documentation or licences required for practical placement.

  • Working with Children Check
  • Police Check

Student may need to complete a NDIS worker Screening Check if placement is conducted with an Organisation providing NDIS service response. This will be at the student’s expense.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

You may use specialised software to support your literacy for teaching laboratory and on-campus learning activities. The appropriateness and practicality of using such software during laboratory placements may vary between placements and should be discussed with the placement coordinator prior to commencement.

 

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

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aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.

More information