The ACT Alcohol and Other Drug Qualifications Strategy aims to ensure the development and maintenance of a competent and professional specialist workforce in the ACT. It also aims to ensure that all ATOD workers in the ACT have a shared minimum knowledge and skill base.
The three main components of the Strategy are: the AOD Skill Set (AOD specialised units of the Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs), the Remaining Units (non ATOD content of the Certificate IV in AOD) and First Aid Training.
The Strategy has maintained a focus on the provision of education and training through AOD specialist industry providers including through a partnership with Uniting Care ReGen.
The training delivery also includes the provision of multiple student support days and information sessions for participants and managers.
Following the completion of the training, participants receive a nationally recognised Statement of Attainment. All of the training is coordinated by ATODA and fully subsidised for participating ATOD workers.
Download the ACT AOD QS Policy.
In order to meet the Qualification Strategy requirements all specialist ACT ATOD services (funded by ACT Health) will require relevant staff to successfully complete:
1. A qualification in ATOD or addiction studies which is equivalent to, or above, the Australian Qualifications Framework Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs (CHC43215).
OR
2. A health, social, or behavioural science related tertiary (university) qualification plus the ‘Alcohol and Other Drug Skill Set’:
CHCAOD001 Work in an alcohol and other drugs context
CHCAOD004 Assess needs of clients with AOD issues
CHCAOD006 Provide interventions for people with AOD issues
CHCAOD009 Develop and review individual AOD treatment plans
AND
3. A First Aid qualification equivalent to the following units:
HLTAID001 Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation
HLTAID002 Provide basic emergency life support
HLTAID003 Provide first aid
Training for the non-AOD content from the Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drugs (AOD) comprises 12 core and elective units and only those workers in the specialist ATOD sector that do not have existing health, social or behavioural science tertiary qualifications are required to undertake this training.
ATODA is providing full subsidies for relevant workers to undertake training for the non-AOD units from the Cert IV in AOD and training will be provided by the Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT).
This training has been tailored to acknowledge ACT AOD workers existing experience therefore competencies will be delivered in clusters not as separate units. Consequently all participants will need to attend the 12 days of training to be deemed competent.
Upon successful completion of this training, each worker will be provided with a nationally-recognised Statement of Attainment for each of the competencies completed and a testamur at completion of the qualification (i.e. when evidence of completion of the AOD Skill Set and First Aid Course is provided).
Training dates and location
Face-to-face training will be held from 9am-4pm on the following dates:
- Block 1: 29, 30, 31 March & 1 April 2021
- Block 2: 3, 4, 5, 6 May 2021
- Block 3: 7, 8, 9, 10 June 2021
The AOD Skill Set Course is comprised of four core, AOD specific, units from the Certificate IV in Alcohol and Other Drug Work. Upon successful completion of the AOD Skill Set, each worker will be provided with nationally-recognised Statements of Attainment.
Units are:
- CHCAOD001 Work in an alcohol and other drugs context
- CHCAOD004 Assess needs of clients with AOD issues
- CHCAOD006 Provide interventions for people with AOD issues
- CHCAOD009 Develop and review individual AOD treatment plans
The training is delivered by Uniting ReGen. Training fees are fully subsidised by ATODA with funding from ACT Health.
The next round of AOD Skill Set training will be held in the second half of 2021, more information to come.
About the training
Workers who undertake this one-day training and complete the required online study will receive a Certificate for the following units:
• HLTAID001: Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation
• HLTAID002: Provide basic emergency life support
• HLTAID003: Provide first aid
The next round of First Aid training will be held in the second half of 2021, more information to come.
For more information, contact:
Alcohol Tobacco and Other Drug Association ACT
Phone: (02) 6249 6358
Email: info@atoda.org.au