Dementia Course
Gain essential knowledge and skills required for working with residents living with dementia
Working in healthcare already and want to upskill and advance your career? Skills Ignites’ online Dementia Training Scheme is the ideal way to gain essential knowledge and skills required for working with residents living with dementia.
Who can enrol?
If you are currently working in the healthcare sector, you should contact our student enrolment team to discuss the specific eligibility criteria for the Dementia online course.
What will I learn?
Get trained and qualified in providing support and care for people living with dementia by completing the 4 required dementia care unit standards.
- US 23920
- US 23921
- US 23922
- US 23923
What quals will I gain?
Dementia Training Scheme Level 4
Where will this take me?
With this qualification you can apply for a wide range of well-paid healthcare roles. Alternatively, you can pathway into our healthcare Level 3 and Level 4 courses. Either way you’ll stand out from the crowd by having trained at Skills Ignite!
How many credits will I receive?
The Dementia Training Scheme Level 4 is NZQA-approved and worth 20 credits.
How long will it take me to complete?
This is a 12-week distance course.
Do I need to be employed in the Health and Wellbeing sector to do this distance programme?
Yes, your employer will need to fill out a simple form as part of the enrolment process.
I’ve never done online distance learning before and worry about not having classmates to talk to. Can I speak to my tutor or other students?
Yes, there are online discussions you will participate in that involve other students in your class. You will also be able to speak to your tutor on the phone and contact your tutor by email.
Will I be able to manage my time?
Please speak to the Student Services Team on 0800 200 345 to discuss how to manage your time and balance study with your other commitments.
What devices and access do I need?
You need to have:
- a mobile phone
- access to a computer or a laptop
- a Gmail address
- access to the internet
- a Facebook account
Do I need to have computer skills?
- You need to have basic computer and internet skills to participate effectively in this course.
- You will be required to undertake basic searches using Google, YouTube or others.
- You will need to use Microsoft Word to complete assignments.
Healthcare workers provide assistance, support and care to people in need (such as the aged or disabled) in a wide range of health, welfare, residential and community settings. The work they do fills a crucial role in society and is becoming even more critical as New Zealand’s population becomes increasingly older.
By 2021, 34,547 people are estimated to be working as personal carers and assistants in New Zealand – that’s up 0.9 percent from 2013. Employment in the sector is expected to remain stable out to 2026. According to a 2015 Ministry of Health survey, healthcare support workers are predominantly female (91 percent) and have an older age profile than other New Zealand workforces, with 54 percent of workers aged between 45 and 64. In addition, the survey found most support workers were employed part-time, working an average of 21 hours a week. Late nights, early mornings, weekend and shift work is common.
What makes a great healthcare worker?
Most people enter the healthcare sector because they are passionate about helping others and dedicated to making a meaningful difference in their communities. Having empathy and a kind and caring nature is a must. But there are several other skills and traits that help to make an exceptional healthcare worker. These include:
- good customer service skills
- first-aid knowledge
- knowledge of health and safety standards
- patient, tolerant and compassionate
- practical
- organised and responsible
- skilled at listening and communicating
- able to relate well to people from a range of cultures
- able to follow instructions
- fit, healthy, strong and free of back problems
Employment opportunities
Employment opportunities for healthcare support workers are good, thanks primarily to New Zealand’s aging population, and the increasing demand this is putting on our healthcare services. And while many care workers are employed in hospitals and nursing homes, there are also excellent opportunities in private home care companies, specialist care providers, church and welfare-based trusts, and home support services run by District Health Boards (DHBs).
In 2017, pay equity in the sector took a giant leap forward, with the passing of the Care and Support Worker (Pay Equity) Settlement Act, which removed wage discrimination based on gender for 55,000 care and support workers – and led to pay rises of 15-50 percent. Linking pay rates to qualifications, the Act encourages workers to increase their qualifications, and helps New Zealand build a more highly training workforce.
The new wage rates are being rolled out over five years and as of July 2018, healthcare support workers with a Level 2 qualification earn $21/hour (the same as an unqualified person who has been working in the sector for three years); those with a Level 3 qualification start on $22.50/hour (the equivalent of someone who’s been working for eight years); and a Level 4 qualification starts you on $24.50/hour, the same as an unqualified worker who has been in the sector for 12 years.
Entry-level roles in the health sector include:
- caregiver
- healthcare assistant
- home care support worker
- hospital orderly
- nurse aide
- nursing support and care worker
- personal care assistant
Once in the industry, there are plenty of opportunities for progression and specialisation. Go onto degree-level studies and become a registered nurse, become a health promoter in the local community or within a government agency, or move into an administrative or managerial role in a hospital or private healthcare organisation.
Sources: Careers.govt.nz, Ministry of Health – Manatū Hauora
