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Training

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Certificate IV in Mental Health (CHC43315)

Course overview

Certificate IV in Mental Health (CHC43315) has been endorsed as a voluntary entry-level qualification by the community mental health sector. It provides an opportunity for participants to build upon their on-the-job experience and receive a nationally recognised qualification in mental health.

The qualification covers a range of core unit competencies including establishing self-directed recovery relationships, providing recovery oriented mental health services, working effectively in trauma-informed care, promoting and facilitating self-advocacy, assessing and promoting social, emotional and physical wellbeing, assessing co-existing needs and providing interventions for people with alcohol and other drugs issues. This course aims to build understanding as well as develop strategies and practical skills for working in mental health.

Successful completion of the Certificate IV in Mental Health (CHC43315) can lead to a range of potential career opportunities such as Community Rehabilitation and Support Worker, Mental Health Intake Officer and Mental Health Outreach Worker.

What you will learn

Our courses are delivered by experienced Mental Health workers. Through a blend of theory, practical coursework, and discussions with other support workers you will learn about:

  • Working with people with mental health and alcohol & other drug issues
  • Working with Aboriginal people
  • Recovery approaches and working with care network and other services
  • Trauma-Informed Care
  • Understanding & responding to suicide
  • Understand the interrelationship between medical, social, and psychological health
  • Working legally and ethically
  • Develop your critical thinking, problem-solving and communication skills.

“This training was a very good way to build a basis for working in the mental health field and from a community perspective” – course participant

Who should enrol?
  • Support Workers
  • Team Leaders and Managers
  • Coordinators
  • Other staff who provide services to people with mental health conditions as part of their day-to-day work

Entry Requirements

  • Applicants must be currently working in a community mental health role where you work with people with mental health conditions to address their needs, set goals and provide rehabilitation services on an ongoing basis.
  • An online Language Literacy and Numeracy skills assessment is required before enrolment can be confirmed in this course.
  • A workplace supervisor or manager is required to provide evidence of the participants competency in the units/qualification. For further information download the Supervisors Handbook
  • Must be over 18 years of age
  • Students will be required to have regular access to a computer and internet access to complete this course

See Learner Handbook for further details

Course Delivery and Completion Options

Course delivery

Face-to-face
This qualification requires attendance at 16 full-day face-to-face workshops.

Supported self-paced learning
Students will be required to self-pace their course work between the face to face sessions.

Online Component
This qualification has a WHS unit delivered online.

Completion options

If you have on-the-job experience or workforce training, you may be closer to a qualification than you think!  MHCC offers a variety of course completion options for you to undertake the Certificate IV in Mental Health.

Course Pathway
Undertake the full qualification in just 12 months.

The course pathway is suited to students with no prior qualification and little work experience or someone who has more on-the-job experience and would like to consolidate it through formal learning.

This option requires attendance at all 16 face-to-face training days as well as completion of an online module. You will also need to undertake a variety of assessments, including at least 80 hours of workplace activities, to attain this qualification.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) – full recognition
This option is most suited to workers with current industry experience of 5 or more years and with extensive specific knowledge and skill in the competence contained in the Certificate IV in Mental Health . Students are assessed on a case-by-case basis. Learn more about RPL.

Partial recognition/blended pathway
This option is most suited to workers with current industry experience of 2 or more years with knowledge and skill in the competencies contained in the CHC43315 Certificate IV in Mental Health.Students will complete some units by recognition, some by assessment and may also need to attend some face to face training days in order to attain the full qualification.

Fast Track
Our Fast Track option supports workers with at least two years’ professional experience to complete the nationally recognised qualification. It draws on students’ lived and on-the-job experience to consolidate and build their skills. Fast Track approach requires attendance at all six face-to-face training days delivered in two-day blocks over a three-month period. Evidence of prior learning and on-the-job experience will be required in addition to course participation and completion of assessment activities.

Learn more about fast track

Units of Competency

This qualification consists of 15 units of competency. Please find below the 11 core units as well as the 4 elective units we will be offering in this course:
Core units
CHCMHS002 Establish self-directed recovery relationships
CHCMHS003 Provide recovery oriented mental health services
CHCMHS004 Work collaboratively with the care network and other services
CHCLEG001 Work legally and ethically
CHCMHS005 Provide services to people with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drugs issues
CHCDIV002 Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety
CHCMHS007 Work effectively in trauma informed care
CHCMHS008 Promote and facilitate self-advocacy
CHCMHS011 Assess and promote social, emotional and physical wellbeing
CHCDIV001 Work with diverse people
HLTWHS001 Participate in workplace health and safety
Elective units
CHCCCS003 Increase the safety of individuals at risk of suicide
CHCCCS023 Support independence and wellbeing
HLTWHS006 Manage personal stressors in the work environment
CHCPRP003 Reflect on and improve own professional practice

Qualification fees

You may be eligible for a fee reduction or exemption dependent on your current circumstances and/or previous experience

Find out more about funding

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