Certificate ||| in Health Services Assistance (Assistant in Nursing)

Most of the components in this certificate included a form of literacy. There are many forms of
communication in nursing assistance that are relevant to nursing opposed to English
communications which is why I chose to swap the SACE subject for a TAFE course. Below are the
components I have completed that strengthened my literacy capability.
Communicate and work effectively in health (HLTHIR301C) and Contribute to
effective work place relationships (BSBFLM303C)
By completing these topics I have developed my literacy capability. In this topic I learnt about
barriers and conflict in communication that effect the effectiveness of clients and co-workers
interpreting language in from other. I also determined strategies that improve effective
communication by evaluating someone who I believed had good communication skills, explored the
effects of first impressions and learned to interpret policy documents.
Recognise healthy body systems in a health care context (HLTAP301B)
By completing this topic I have developed my literacy capability. In this topic I learnt the specialised
vocabulary and spelling associated with human anatomy and physiology. Some of the components
included the terminology for parts of the integumentary system, musculoskeletal system, circulatory
system, nervous system and the interpretation of medical terminology by using the understanding of
prefixes, root words and suffixes.
Interpret and apply medical terminology (BSBM ED301B)
By completing this topic I have developed my literacy capability. In this topic I learnt the specialised
vocabulary and spelling associated with the health sector and how to effectively use and interpret
correct medical terminology in the health sector. There was a written and spoken assessment for
this topic. This topic also included the terminology for parts of the integumentary system,
musculoskeletal system, circulatory system, nervous system, the interpretation of medical
terminology by using the understanding of prefixes, root words and suffixes and the abbreviations of
terms used in the health sector. All of these skills I have developed to help me send and interpret
information in written forms (reports, progress notes, flow charts, transfer letters) and spoken form
(handover, response to client enquiries, client education, providing information, telephone orders,
team meeting contributions).
Work effectively with Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander people (HLTHIR404D) and
Work effectively with culturally diverse clients and co -workers (HLTHIR403C)
By completing these topics I have developed my literacy capability. In this topic I learnt new
terminology and types of communication relating to the health sector to aid in effective
communication with people from different cultures. I learnt the correct rules and forms of
communication with people of different backgrounds and had the opportunity to interpret others
forms of text applying to health from different cultures. The topic developed my skills in
comprehending information from health care sources and using appropriate conventions for citing
the sources which will be an important skill in nursing studies.

Undertake home visits (HLTRAH302C)

By completing this topic I have developed my literacy capability. In this topic I learnt how particular
written texts are composed and structured to meet different purposes in the health sector. I learnt
the knowledge required to complete a Home risk checklist using the correct structure and
vocabulary. Home risk checklists are important when completing home visits and must be written
correctly for the safety of the client and co-workers.
Participate in work health and safety processes (HLTWHS200A)
By completing this topic I have developed my literacy capability. In this topic I learnt how Hazard
reports are completed accurately and neatly when a risk in the workplace has been identified. This is
an example of my ability to compose a text relevant in the health sector through writing to
effectively communicate hazardous issues in the workplace to supervisors. In this topic I also learnt
the structure and information needed when composing an incident report in the workplace correctly
to report incidents to managers. The topic developed my skills in comprehending information from
health care sources and using appropriate conventions for citing the sources which will be an
important skill in nursing studies. I also developed my ability to interpret and follow work health and
safety procedural guidelines.
Comply with infection control and policies and procedures (HLTIN301C)
By completing this topic I have developed my literacy capability. In the health sector, there are many
visual elements that communicate information. In this topic I learnt the standardisations of colours
of waste disposal which allows for the identification and compliance with specific disposal
guidelines. A green plastic bag is identified as holding green waste which is an example of how the
colour green creates meaning in waste management. I also developed my ability to interpret and
follow procedural guidelines in relation to spills, waste and infection management.
Assist with client movement (HLTCSD305D) and Transport Clients (HLTCSD208D)
By completing these topics I have developed my literacy capability. During the 2 day workshop I
developed my ability to interpret and follow procedural guidelines in relation to clients movement
and transport. I developed my ability to express opinions and point of views in circumstances where
I felt that the movement of clients was not done according to procedural guidelines of could have
been done in a safer way. I also developed my ability to use language to interact with co-workers
and clients to effectively move and transport clients in teams effectively for the comfort and safety
of the client and the co-workers. For example, through trial and error I learnt the most effective way
to explain the requirements of the manual task to clients and co-workers to ensure the procedure is
done safely.
Support the care of clients (HLTCSD304D) and Maintain high standard of client service
(HLTCSD201D)

By completing these topics I have developed my literacy capability. During the 2 day workshop I
developed my ability to interpret and follow procedural guidelines in relation to the care and service
of clients. I develop my ability to interpret procedure guidelines such as personal care practices,
continence management and specimen collection. I learnt specialised terminology used in different
health care procedures. I developed my ability to express opinions and point of views in
circumstances where I felt that the treatment given was not done according to procedural
guidelines. I also developed my ability to use language to interact with co-workers and clients to
effectively complete health care procedures in teams and in a way that clients will feel comfortable.
This involved exploring ideas for procedures, comparing solutions and evaluating on the steps taken.
Lastly, in groups we interpreted and analysed information in care plans to discuss the care given to
clients as health care assistants.
In December I will be completing a 4 day placement at an aged care facility to further develop on my
skills involving literacy.

Paramedic Pathways
Apply first aid (HLTFA311A) and Perform CPR (HLTCPR211A) and Provide basic
emergency life support (HLTFA211A)
By completing these topics I have developed my literacy capability. During the course I developed
my ability to express opinions and point of views in relation to problem solving and working out the
best treatment for a person requiring first aid in a range of settings and circumstances. I also
developed my ability to use language to interact with strangers to effectively apply appropriate first
aid, CPR or basic life support procedures. Lastly I developed my ability to interpret images of
scenarios and evaluate how specific elements of the images can help in composing an appropriate
first aid action plan.

School
Biology
This subject helped me develop skills in writing and comprehending texts, interacting with others
and following procedures. These are all skills to have if continuing to university.
I composed an issues investigation which developed my ability to compose and edit longer and
more complex texts, using knowledge of sentence structures and words and expressing points of
view. This issues investigation included practicing the conventions for citing others work which will
be an important skill in nursing studies.
Biology involved reading and interpreting biological methods to compose experiments. Experiments
were done in groups which developed in my ability to explore ideas and compare solutions in groups
to reach conclusions. During the writing of practical reports I understood how visual graphs can add
meaning to raw data.

I developed my ability to learn subject specific vocabulary with correct spelling in biology. During the
year I learnt hundreds of biological terms using a program called Quizlet.

Psychology
This subject helped me develop skills in writing and comprehending texts, interacting with others
and following procedures. These are all skills to have if continuing to university.
The healthy minds issues investigation developed my ability to express points of view, composing
written and more complex texts, comparing and contrasting difference sources of information and
reading more demanding subject specific texts.
I composed an issues investigation which developed my ability to compose and edit longer and
more complex texts, using knowledge of sentence structures and words and expressing points of
view. This issues investigation included practicing the conventions for citing others work which will
be an important skill in nursing studies.
Psychology involved interpreting biological methods and results to real conclusions of psychological
issues. Analysing results were done in groups which developed in my ability to explore ideas and
compare solutions in groups to reach conclusions. During the composition of practical reports I
learnt how visual graphs can add meaning to raw data.
I developed my ability to learn subject specific vocabulary with correct spelling in psychology. During
the year I learnt hundreds of biological terms using a program called Quizlet.

Research Project
During the conduction of my own research project I read and listened to a wide range of subject
specific texts, interpreted and compared the texts, composed written texts, used discussions with
others to explore ideas and evaluate information, delivered presentations of complex issues, using
visual elements to create meaning to achieve different nuances and expressed points of views on
issues I were researching.

Work Experience: Foodland

A lot of my development in literacy has come from my experience in a work place setting. During my
time working at Foodland I learnt how to comprehend and follow procedural guidelines in relation
to work health and safety. During my employment I developed my ability to use appropriate
language to interact with customers and co-workers in a range of scenarios effectively. I developed
my ability to express opinions and point of views in relation to problem solving in the workplace and
ensuring particular procedures are taken into action appropriately. I actively engaged in staff
meetings to express points of view and opinions I had that may help in developing the stores

procedures and team work skills. Lastly to interpret visual elements relating to health and safety in
the workplace such as hazard signage, chemical substance colour codes, etc.