Course overview
Get a basic understanding of mental health and learn practical recovery-centred skills you can use as a Mental Health Support Worker, with Open Colleges’ online Certificate IV in Mental Health (ICT30113).
Through a combination of online study and a structured work placement, you will graduate ready for a career as a Support Worker or Mental Health Worker in a variety of community settings.
Job outcomes
- Community Rehabilitation and Support Worker
- Community Support Worker
- Mental Health Intake Officer
- Mental Health Outreach Worker
- Mental Health Rehabilitation Support Worker
What you'll learn
You will learn how to provide recovery-oriented support for people affected by mental illness and psychiatric disability.
Recognition
Study method
- OnlineOnline delivery - online course content with the exception of assessments and work placement
- BlendedBlended delivery - both online course content and partial face to face requirements
- In-classIn class delivery - predominately face to face course content conducted at a specific location
Duration study load
- Maximum 18 months
- 120-hour work placement
Entry requirements
Education
There are no formal education entry requirements for this course.
Minimum age
You will need to be at least 18 years old.
English
This course involves reading learning content and undertaking a range of written assessments and engaging in online forums and discussions. Furthermore, the delivery mode relies on the extensive use of written communication. As such, entry to the course requires the successful completion of English to Year 12 level.
If you haven’t successfully completed English at Year 12 level, you can demonstrate equivalency through one of the following:
- Successful completion of a Nationally Recognised Training qualification at Certificate III level or higher; or
- 3 years relevant industry experience in a role that requires the use of written documentation and communication
Pathways
- Diploma of Counselling (CHC51015)
- Diploma of Youth Work (CHC50413)
- Diploma of Community Services (CHC52015)
Work placement
The course contains a minimum of 120 hours of work placement.
You will need to undertake your work placement in an organisation involved in the delivery of mental health to clients. The workplace will need to be able to provide you with access to specialist equipment and resources. The specific requirements of the workplace are outlined in the Workplace Assessment Guide. Your workplace assessor will ascertain whether the workplace is appropriate.
Assessment
- Case studies
- Demonstrations
- Multiple choice questions
- Portfolio of evidence
- Presentations
- Short-answer questions
- Workplace assessments
- Written reports
Additional information
Open Colleges offers this qualification in association with Integrated Care & Management Training Pty Ltd (Provider number: 90197). The testamur will be issued by Integrated Care & Management Training Pty Ltd.
Delivery
Studying online with Open Colleges is fully flexible. This means you can study whenever you want, wherever you want. You can access your learning materials anytime via your online campus, Open Space, and make your way through the course at a pace that suits your lifestyle.
Who's it for?
- Ideal for those just entering the sector or those with some experience in community services, this course will provide you with an introduction to mental health work
Subjects
- Communicate with clients and co-workers
- Address communication needs
- Facilitate meetings
- Identify and respond to legal requirements
- Identify and meet ethical responsibilities
- Contribute to workplace improvements
- Work from a trauma informed care perspective
- Utilise self-care strategies
- Contribute to the continuous improvement of trauma informed care in services
- Prepare for assessment
- Analyse the person’s needs using a collaborative approach
- Determine appropriate services
- Complete reporting
- Evaluate assessment and referral processes
- Assess capacity to provide support to a person with co-existing mental health and AOD issues
- Work collaboratively to provide support services to address co-existing issues
- Facilitate links to further care
- Collaborate with the person to minimise risk
- Review and report on support provided
About Open Colleges
Open Colleges puts you at the centre of everything. As an institution, it measures its success in the success of its students. With more than 100 years of experience in distance learning, Open Colleges has the expertise in delivering education and training to individuals seeking to launch, change or accelerate their careers.
Open Colleges Australia focuses on meeting the specific needs of adult learners by delivering highly flexible, accessible and affordable learning opportunities. Its unique learning model provides you with ultimate control – to study anywhere, anytime and at your own pace. Its online campus – OpenSpace – provides you with access to learning resources, expert trainers and assessors, collaboration with other learners and a comprehensive range of support services. Open Colleges is the perfect solution for time-poor students with busy schedules, as it makes getting your qualification possible from wherever you are.
Open Colleges Pty Ltd is a Registered Training Organization (RTO 90796)
