Informed Choices - Mental Health

Observational skills

• notice changes in people’s behaviour, ability and the environment
• identify safety hazards and risks
• identify signs of verbal distress and/or aggression
• behaviours that indicate risk of self-harm

Communication skills

• communicate effectively with a range of people (e.g. clients, co-workers)
• use appropriate language and respect when working with people from different cultures
• listen attentively to what is being said, including instructions
• able to modify communication appropriately to de-escalate or respond to critical situations
• read and understand written information
• read and follow written and verbal instructions
• understand and respond to verbal and non-verbal communication
• write clear communication appropriate to the situation
• use technology to communicate (e.g. computer for reports, emails, documents)
• communicate and work with other people as a team

Cognitive/intellectual skills

• understand other people’s perspectives/opinions and respect their choices
• recognise one's own bias and be able to reflect
• gather, understand and organise information
• use your own judgment / basic problem-solving skills (e.g. to respond to immediate safety risks or where a client demonstrates concerning behaviours)
• ability to monitor one's own behaviour within an adult classroom environment
• maintain a sufficient level of concentration to complete an activity/task or to work with a client or group
• be attentive in interaction with others (e.g. to identify risks, to identify changes)
• perform tasks within reasonable time frames
• ability to self-reflect and adjust one's own behaviours and responses

Behavioural and social skills

• demonstrate tolerance, patience and willingness to work with people from different backgrounds and cultures
• demonstrate professional behaviour in the classroom
• control your emotions and reactions, and withhold personal opinions
• tolerate close proximity with individuals
• interact with all genders
• respect personal and professional boundaries – including use of social media
• adapt to change
• take responsibility for own actions
• maintain confidentiality
• the ability to work autonomously (on your own)
• adhere to the SM TAFE Student Code of Conduct at all times and with all interactions with SM TAFE staff and other students

The language, literacy & numeracy requirements are core skills for all job roles at all levels. The Australian Core Skills Framework (ACSF) indicates that the five core skill areas are reading, writing, numeracy, oral communication and learning, which we apply in our personal and community, workplace and employment, and education and training. 

Some of the core language, literacy, and numeracy (LLN) skills for entry into this industry are:

Learning

• legal and ethical guidelines of work
• understand human needs
• individual differences
• service standards
• safety policies and procedures

Reading

• reading and understanding client service plans
• procedures and work instructions
• industry-specific terminology and symbols
• workplace safety signs

Writing

• completing forms and documents
• work health and safety reports
• taking messages

Oral communication

• active listening skills
• communicating with clients and their families
• communicating with clients who have impaired communication
• effective questioning
• phone skills
• providing information to team members

Below are some of the important individual personal skills students need to demonstrate during training and are highly valued by the industry. Below are examples of the skills you need to demonstrate:

Communication

• develop and maintain relationships, trust and confidence
• communicate with a range of people from different backgrounds
• negotiate with distressed people
• communicate in groups (meetings)

Teamwork

• work with other people for a common outcome
• respect for other people and their role within the work team
• accept direction and feedback for own performance

Problem solving

• identify potential problems and respond appropriately
• ask questions and seek clarification when necessary
• negotiate for common outcomes

Initiative and enterprise

• motivation and interest
• the ability to seek assistance when necessary
• foresight / the ability to see what needs to be done

Planning and organising

• appropriate time management skills
• prioritise, plan and organise your own workload

Self management

• seek feedback and reflect on your own performance
• accept responsibility for one's own actions
• monitor own well being and health in relation to the impact of the content

Learning

• ability to identify your own strengths and weaknesses and seek assistance where necessary
• the ability and motivation to build on past knowledge and experience
• take on new information and tasks

Technology

• the ability to learn and adapt to new technology
• the ability to access information and use digital media for study and work
• able to use computers
• ability to learn new computer processes, such as logging into SMTAFE apps, downloading or uploading documents, navigating the internet and working within Microsoft Word documents

As part of your course, you are required to complete a vocational placement (work placement). The placement is arranged/negotiated by the South Metropolitan TAFE. Students will be provided with forms and a vocational placement logbook to record their placement. The workplace also needs to complete the forms prior to commencing work placement.

You are required to complete a  work placement for the following qualifications: 

• CHC43315 Certificate IV in Mental Health: minimum of 120 hours of vocational placement in a Mental Health Recovery service

This course has a recommended minimum age requirement of 25 years. Due to the mandatory work placement component and in consultation with industry, we may be unable to secure a suitable placement for participants under this age. 

Students will be required to: 

• complete a satisfactory Criminal History check / National Police Clearance (NPC) prior to placement
• travel to an appropriate organisation to complete a vocational placement
• attend vocational placement at times that may be out of normal business hours e.g. 8am – 5.30pm    

All students must understand their workplace health and safety obligations and safety requirements under the following:

• WA Occupational Safety & Health Act 1984 which imposes obligations on people at workplaces to ensure workplace health and safety
• Occupational Safety & Health Regulations 1996 (WA) which describes what must be done to prevent or control certain hazards that cause injury, illness or death
• Codes of Practice, which are designed to give practical advice about ways to manage exposure to risks common to the industry

All students must be able to participate in Risk Assessments, Incident Reports and Hazard Identification.

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