NACCHO is pleased to announce that Ear and Hearing Skill Set training will be delivered in a number of jurisdictions nationally starting in April 2015.

The Ear and Hearing Training for the Aboriginal Health Worker Workforce Project is funded under the Australian Government Improving Eye and Ear Health Services for Indigenous Australians for Better Education and Employment Outcomes COAG measure, and supports implementation of this measure. The overall measure aims to improve the early detection and treatment of eye and ear health conditions in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, leading to improved education and employment outcomes.

Description of training

Accredited training will take place over 10-day period (2 x 5 days long blocks). This Skill Set training provides a pathway for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers to specialise in the provision of ear and hearing health. Additionally, the Skill Set units may provide credit towards Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care qualifications at the Certificate IV level or higher.

NACCHO has engaged with Registered Training Organisations (RTO’s) to deliver the Ear and Hearing Skill Set for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care training. The RTO’s selected have experienced trainer and assessors with specific expertise in providing training for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people; this ensures unique, high quality and culturally appropriate training for our participants.

The units of competency will encompass those that make up the Ear and Hearing Skill Set training, namely:

• HLTAHW025: Provide information and strategies in hearing and ear health
• HLTAU402D: Conduct screening hearing tests for industrial hearing loss
• HLTAU501D: Conduct screening hearing tests for children

Participants

The target group for Ear and Hearing Skill Set training will be Aboriginal Health Worker’s (AHW’s). AHW’s wanting to participate in training must meet the first three criteria, and preferably one or more of the additional criteria.

• be Aboriginal people (non-negotiable)
• be employed as or training to be an Aboriginal Health Worker (non-negotiable)
• can negotiate to be released from their employer to undertake off-site intensive training (non-negotiable)
• are currently or going to be involved in ear and hearing health services in a primary health care setting (preferable)
• has undertaken the ear and hearing equipment professional development training (preferable).

Spaces are limited: therefore, priority will be given to those ACCHS that currently have ear and hearing equipment in their possession but no trained staff in the allocation of training spots; these services have already been identified by the NACCHO.

Cost

Cost is $4,985 per participant; this fee covers: travel, accommodation and catering; plus RTO fees and course equipment. The fee can be paid directly to the RTO and NACCHO will reimburse your organisation, following proof of attendance at the 2 x 5-day training block.

Accredited training will take place over 10-day period (2 x 5 days long blocks); therefore it is mandatory to attend both blocks for your organisation to receive reimbursement of course fees.

Further information

Dates and locations will be announced shortly, and will be advertised on the NACCHO website

For further information please contact the NACCHO Ear & Hearing National Coordinator,

Ms Trisha Williams on 02 6246 9329 or 0413 385 039

or by e-mail to trisha.williams@naccho.org.au