HLT31115 – Certificate III in Non-emergency Patient Transport
What you can expect from this course
The Certificate III in Non-Emergency Patient Transport is one of the most popular entry-level qualifications to get a job in the health care industry. The theory studied with give you essential knowledge required to start transporting non-critical patients. On any given day, you could be picking up a patient from home and taking them to a hospital or day surgery; and your next job could be assisting a patient who has collapsed at a sporting event and needs off-site medial attention; and even taking patients to a waiting plane where they will be flown back to their remotely located home.
This is the appeal of the patient transport sector. Every day is different from the next. You get to meet new and interesting people every day, travel to and from different locations and enjoy a varied working day to keep you interested, stimulated and challenged. Throughout a typical working week, you’ll meet some wonderful patients and get a really good feeling about how your actions make someone else smile and feel 100% safe in your care.
The course is delivered for the most part online, with a 3 day clinical workshop.
Whilst the Certificate III in Non-emergency Patient Transport doesn’t provide the same level of knowledge as the HLT41115-Certificate IV in Health Care or the HLT51015-Diploma of Paramedic Science; what you will study helps you become good at your job, and creates the opportunity to keep on learning. One of the great positives about working in health is there are so many different jobs you can do. On top of that, the way training qualifications are structured; when you study a Certificate III qualification, you can be sure the next level up (in a health care course that is), will contain some of the theory you already learned – so there’s no need to learn it again.
In fact, you’ll be more than likely to receive credits towards the new course. This is called ‘credit transfer’ and is designed to also fasttrack you into the next level of learning without being charged to complete the same unit of competency again. Potentially, you could save $100’s if not $1000′ your training over the course of your career.
The HLT31115-Certificate III in Non-Emergency Patient Transfer can be completed in around 6-12 months if you apply yourself and follow the recommended study program.
Completing this nationally accredited course will allow you to confidently apply for these entry-level jobs within private sector:
- Private Hospital Transport Officer
- Patient Transport Officer (PTO)
- Ambulance Attendant (may require the HLT51015 – Diploma of Paramedic Science)
- Ambulance Officer
- Community Ambulance Volunteer
Click here to view the current job opportunities for this qualification.
Hands-on Experience?
Practical experience driving real patients around is not included in this level of course. However, you will be driving an ambulance during the 3 day clinical workshop. To get as much experience as you can, we recommend doing voluntary work experience to build your confidence. This is the perfect way to meet companies and organisations who provide patient transport services.
Doing so can build your personal and job network and dramatically improve your chances of securing work when you complete the course.
There are various organisations responsible for coordinating and providing basic First Aid officers through to Intensive Care Paramedics at events and public gatherings.
What will I do at the Clinical Workshops?
The 3 day face-to-face workshop gives you the opportunity to learn directly from industry experts and qualified paramedics. You’ll also meet other students, work in teams as well as take part in practical demonstrations and be active around the skills stations, where you’ll learn many procedures such as IV insertion, how to use and dispose of needles safely. You will have your questions answered by trained clinical instructors who are available to take your calls and answer any questions you may have as you progress through the training.
Patient Transport Officer jobs
One of the biggest considerations in deciding to enrol in this course is the finding a job at the end of it. One thing is for sure, patient transport is a fast-growing sector. More and more private companies like NPT in Victoria are expanding their services to NSW and WA, as well as developing new opportunities in Queensland. No matter where you live in Australia, if you are dedicated to developing a career in the sector, the opportunities to succeed are immense.
With this in mind, we have added links to real Patient Transport and Ambulance Attendant jobs that have been advertised on SEEK and other online jobs boards. Some of them may be out of date, however, they do show the requirements of the job as well as how much you can earn.
What You’ll Learn In This Course
The HLT31115 – Certificate III in Non-Emergency Patient Transfer will ensure you develop the base skill set required to enter the health care industry.
Units of Competency
BSBMED301 – Interpret and apply medical terminology appropriately
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to understand and respond to instructions; to carry out routine tasks and communicate with a range of internal/external clients in a medical environment; as well as use appropriate medical terminology.
- Respond appropriately to instructions which contain medical terminology
- Carry out routine tasks
- Use appropriate medical terminology in oral and written communication
HLTINF001 – Comply with infection prevention and control policies and procedures
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to follow organisational infection prevention and control procedures, including implementing standard and transmission-based precautions and responding to infection risks.
- Follow standard and additional precautions for infection prevention and control
- Identify infection hazards and assess risks
- Follow procedures for managing risks associated with specific hazards
HLTAAP001 – Follow procedures for routine safe removal of patient
This unit describes the knowledge and skills required to ensure safe removal of the patient under routine conditions as part of emergency work where patients are not anticipated to have an immediate life threatening injury, illness or condition.
- Work with information about the human body
- Recognise and promote ways to support healthy functioning of the body
HLTAMB001 – Recognise healthy body systems
- Assess non-emergency situation in relation to safe removal of the patient
- Implement procedures for safe removal of the patient
- Monitor removal procedure
CHCCOM005 – Communicate and work in health or community services
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to communicate effectively with clients, colleagues, management and other industry providers.
- Communicate effectively with people
- Collaborate with colleagues
- Address constraints to communication
- Report problems to supervisor
- Complete workplace correspondence and documentation
- Contribute to continuous improvement
HLTAMB014 – Transport Non-Emergency Patients under Operational Conditions
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to load, unload and drive vehicles safely to transport non-emergency patients to and from a facility or service. It includes using communication equipment and checking vehicles and equipment in order to restock and remedy faults.
- Prepare and check vehicle and equipment
- Ensure faults in vehicle and equipment are remedied
- Convey and receive information using necessary modes of communication
- Load, unload and secure non-emergency patient and other specific personnel for transportation
- Drive vehicle
HLTAID003 – Provide First Aid
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to provide a first aid response to a casualty. The unit applies to all workers who may be required to provide a first aid response in a range of situations, including community and workplace settings.
- Respond to an emergency situation
- Apply appropriate first aid procedures
- Communicate details of the incident
- Evaluate the incident and own performance
HLTWHS002 – Follow Safe Work Practices for Direct Client Care
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required for a worker to participate in safe work practices to ensure their own health and safety, and that of others in work environments that involve caring directly for clients. It has a focus on maintaining safety of the worker, the people being supported and other community members.
- Follow safe work practices for direct client care
- Follow safe work practices for manual handling
- Follow safe work practices for infection control
- Contribute to safe work practices in the workplace
- Reflect on own safe work practices
HLTAMB011 – Manage a routine non-emergency scene
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to manage routine non-emergency situations that are not anticipated to be life-threatening to ensure safety at the scene.
- Attend non-emergency scene
- Take appropriate measures to ensure safety at the scene
HLTAID006 – Provide Advanced First Aid
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to provide an advanced first aid response, including management of the incident and other first aiders, until the arrival of medical or other assistance.
- Respond to an emergency situation
- Apply appropriate first aid procedures
- Coordinate first aid activities until arrival of medical assistance
- Communicate details of the incident
- Evaluate the incident and own performance
HLTAID007 – Provide Advanced Resuscitation
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to use specialised equipment in the provision of resuscitation in line with the Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC) guidelines.
- Respond to an emergency situation
- Perform advanced resuscitation
- Communicate details of the incident
- Evaluate the incident and own performance
CHCLEG001 – Work legally and Ethically
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to identify and work within the legal and ethical frameworks that apply to an individual job role.
- Identify and respond to legal requirements
- Identify and meet ethical responsibilities
- Contribute to workplace improvements
CHCDIV001 – Work with diverse people
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to work respectfully with people from diverse social and cultural groups and situations, including Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people.
- Reflect on own perspectives
- Appreciate diversity and inclusiveness, and their benefits
- Communicate with people from diverse backgrounds and situations
- Promote understanding across diverse groups