Support services staff complete new qualification

Ten operational service officers have expanded their skill sets by completing a Certificate III in Health Support Services.

The qualification offers skills for workers providing support for the effective functioning of health services with a focus on patient handling and food services.

Support services training coordinator Grace Moustoukas said it was important to offer support services staff the opportunity to upskill in these areas.

“When our team has a better understanding on how to more effectively do their jobs it means they are delivering a better service to patients,” she said.

“Being certified is a great incentive for staff and it’s part of our duty as a department to provide as much education as possible.

“The certificate III offers a lot of techniques for support services staff to utlise in their day-to-day such as current food safety requirements and allergies and how to understand the human body better when handling patients.

“It also refreshed them on the different types of equipment used in the kitchen and in transporting patients.”

Food services operational services officer Sandra Altadonna said completing the course was a good opportunity to reiterate her knowledge.

“The course was really interesting, and it refreshed our skills in line with latest practice,” she said.

“The teacher was really in-depth in explaining things and it was really helpful that there was a focus on infection control and PPE.”

Grace said the completion of the course was twelve months in the making for the team.

“The group starting the qualification through Daniels Associates in early 2020 but was delayed due to COVID-19,” she said.

“It usually takes three months, but we’ve had to do it over twelve months.

“The facilitators did a great job with the limited face-to-face contact and utilised some limited videoconference capabilities to ensure everyone finished the course.”

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