Aged Care Jobs in Australia   by Colin Wee

in Family / Seniors    (submitted 2010-12-01)

Aged Care Jobs in Australia

Aged care jobs on Seek Australia typically call for experience in assessment and care planning for clients. Job applicants typically need to be competent working in aged care, palliative care, rehabilitation, disability or community health service settings. Applicants will probably need an understanding of primary health care principles, Certificate IV in Training and Assessment TAA40104, Certificate III in Aged Care, and knowledge of the CACP program guidelines.

The CACP guidelines help applicants understand the Australian Government funded Packaged Care Programs. The documents cover the Australian Governmentâ??s policy and operation context for the Packaged Care Programs including the responsibilities for approved providers under the Aged Care Act 1997, and Aged Care Principles.

The aged care industry requires special employees - people who can communicate effectively with residents, meet their psychological, physical and social needs with empathy, understanding and respect. To do this a person will need to have a sound understanding of the ageing process and the physical, emotional and cognitive needs of ageing adult dependents.

Unfortunately, overall nursing statistics are bleak. The number of registered nurses in the sector for the period of 2003-2007 fell from 21 percent to 17 percent. The average age of nurses in aged care jobs is now around 50 years old. These nurses are also required to supervise more residents and more staff members across multiple sites, despite being paid at least 10 percent less than their public-hospital based counterparts.

The 2010 Budget delivered on the shortage in nursing numbers, pledging a $60 million education incentive for aged care nurses, assistants in nursing and personal care workers to upgrade their skills, encouraging them to stay in the aged care sector and deliver high-quality care. In addition, almost $19 million was allocated for 25 nurse practitioners to work across 100 nursing homes, and a national licensing system will be introduced for assistants in nursing and personal care workers to recognise their aged care job skills, while ensuring high standards of care, safety and protection for residents.

About the Author

Colin Wee is founder of SuperParents Perth Family and Parenting Online Community. See related article at Dying - How to Get it Right the First Time.