Diploma of Community Services

1. Hardware requirements:

• Desktop or laptop with the following recommended System Requirements:
  • Windows 7 (2009) or higher
  • Apple Macintosh OS X version 10.6 (Snow Leopard) or higher
• A webcam, e.g. built-in to a laptop or a USB webcam.
• Audio input and output suitable for video conferencing or online classes.
• A headset or earbuds with a microphone is recommended. Speakers and a microphone can be acceptable but need to be tested to check they do not introduce echo into a video conference or online classes.
• Photo/scan – a camera, e.g. on a mobile phone, can be required to scan and submit handwritten materials.

2. Software Requirements:

• A web browser such as Internet Explorer, Firefox, Google Chrome, or Safari (Please note that Apple users will be required to install Google Chrome in order to use Microsoft Teams) that will allow students to:
  • Stream videos from YouTube-style sites (a student must be aware of his/her internet usage limits and costs);
  • Run word processing software such as Microsoft Teams, Word and PowerPoint;
  • Participate in virtual classrooms or online live streaming webinars (e.g., Microsoft Teams or Zoom). (for classes delivered online or via live-streaming webinar).
• Reach will provide students with access to Reach’s Microsoft Office 365 software (i.e., Microsoft Teams, Word, Excel, and PowerPoint), however:
  • Students may require administration rights to their computer in order to install additional software.
  • Students are strongly advised to install a suitable anti-virus program to protect their work.

3. Internet Requirements:

• A reliable, high-speed broadband internet connection, with sufficient upload and download capacity. A Wi-Fi or mobile connection can be acceptable if it is adequately stable to perform well in a video conference or online classes;
• Students will have access to Reach’s wireless connection during campus operating hours of 6:00am to 9:00pm Mon – Sat;
• Community internet and computer access:
  • Public libraries offer free access to computers and the internet, although students may require a membership card or be required to pay a small charge. Students may need to book ahead if they wish to use library services. Students will also have access to printing and photocopying services on a pay per page basis. Most libraries also provide wireless hotspots and recharging stations at no cost for students using their own devices.

4. Other Information:

Reach encourages students to acquire the following skills and knowledge related to operating and maintaining an efficient online study environment:

• Know how to install, use, and keep their computer’s internet browser and other software up to date (e.g. installing security updates)
• Be proficient in connecting their laptop and/or mobile device to wireless networks either at Reach’s campus, your local library, or other locations
• Ability to use a web camera and headset/microphone
• Know how to use cloud storage (e.g. through Office 365 OneDrive)
• Ability to use Microsoft Word and other related software packages.

Vocational Placement as a blue heading, (but only for this course, not other courses) with the following text:

Vocational Placement

Vocational placement provides students with the opportunity to apply skills and knowledge in real scenarios. It is a requirement of this qualification that students undertake a minimum of 100 unpaid vocational placement hours. Reach Community College organises student placement. Students will be given a vocational placement logbook and diary, which will need to be completed during their placement hours. Students must be willing to undertake placement in a health care or community care facility and/or within a simulated health care or community care environment during the program. Should students be required to travel interstate for placement, Reach Community College will cover the cost of all interstate travel and accommodation during the placement, however students will be required to organise their own local travel to and from these facilities. Students will be notified of their placement details by email, prior to commencing vocational placement. Students are required to organise their own travel to and from these facilities and may be required to undertake placement anywhere in Tasmania and within Australia. Prior to attending vocational placement, students must demonstrate satisfactory course progression.

Before commencing Vocational Placement:

HLTAID011 – Provide first aid is not a unit of competency in this qualification, however if a student is required to complete this unit prior to attending placement in a particular health care or community care facility, Reach Community College will provide training of this unit at no additional cost to students and on completion will issue students with a Statement of Attainment prior to placement. Students must meet the following mandatory requirements at their own expense. Students will be notified via email on when to obtain these documents:

• Have current competency in Cardio-Pulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) – this must be updated annually and is included in the program
• At their own expense, students are required to provide an Australian Federal Police Certificate indicating that the student has passed the Australian Federal Police (National) Check 30 days before placement. (https://www.afp.gov.au/what-we-do/services/criminal-records/national-police-checks)
• Medical Clearance condition: Have no medical or physical injury/condition that would prevent them from working safely and/or injuring themselves and/or residents whilst working within a health care or community care facility whilst assisting residents with day to day physical activities/tasks.