COURSE OVERVIEW:
Welcome to the Work Safely in Aged Care Facilities course. Ensuring the safety and well-being of both residents and support workers is of paramount importance in aged care settings. This course provides a comprehensive guide to maintaining safety standards, addressing potential hazards, and fostering a safe, supportive environment in aged care facilities. Understanding workplace safety in aged care is not just a regulatory requirement but a moral obligation, ensuring the protection of vulnerable residents and promoting a culture of care. Throughout this course, you will learn about the Australian aged care safety standards, the crucial role support workers play in upholding these standards, and the various responsibilities involved in maintaining a safe and efficient workplace.
Identifying hazards is one of the key elements in creating a safe environment. This section will cover common hazards in aged care facilities, such as physical and environmental risks, and how to assess the severity of these hazards. You will also learn the proper procedures for reporting hazards to supervisors or safety officers to ensure timely intervention and prevention.
Personal protective equipment (PPE) plays a vital role in protecting both workers and residents from potential harm. You will explore the different types of PPE used in aged care settings, proper procedures for donning and doffing PPE, and safe storage practices to ensure the equipment remains effective in protecting against health risks.
Manual handling and lifting techniques are essential to prevent injuries in both residents and staff. This section will focus on best practices for safely lifting and moving residents, using equipment such as hoists and transfer belts, and preventing musculoskeletal injuries, a common concern for support workers in aged care.
Infection control is a key area of concern in aged care, where vulnerable populations are more susceptible to infections. You will learn about essential infection control practices, including hand hygiene, managing outbreaks, and sterilising equipment to reduce the risk of infection and ensure the safety of both residents and staff.
Safe medication management is critical in aged care environments. This section will guide you through understanding medication policies, safely handling and administering medications, and recognising and responding to medication errors to ensure resident safety and compliance with regulations.
Emergency response and evacuation procedures are vital skills for ensuring the well-being of residents in the event of an emergency. You will learn to identify different types of emergencies, the proper evacuation procedures, and how to communicate with emergency services and families during such incidents.
Fire safety is a significant concern in aged care facilities. This section will cover fire prevention strategies, the operation of fire extinguishers and alarm systems, and how to conduct fire drills and evacuation plans tailored to the needs of aged care residents.
Safe use of hazardous substances and cleaning agents is essential to prevent accidents and health risks. You will learn how to identify hazardous substances, safely store and handle chemicals, and use safety data sheets (SDS) to ensure compliance with safety protocols.
Preventing slips, trips, and falls is a priority in aged care settings, where residents are particularly vulnerable. This section will discuss the common causes of falls, strategies to prevent them, and the proper reporting and follow-up after fall incidents to minimise risks and ensure resident safety.
Safeguarding resident dignity and safety is a core responsibility in aged care. You will explore best practices for maintaining privacy during personal care, recognising signs of abuse or neglect, and following procedures for reporting and managing incidents of abuse to protect the well-being of residents.
Safe use of assistive devices is critical for resident mobility and safety. This section will cover various types of assistive devices, their proper use and maintenance, and how to assist residents in using these devices without compromising their safety or comfort.
Effective communication is key to safety management in aged care facilities. You will learn how to communicate safety procedures clearly to both residents and colleagues, manage difficult conversations, and de-escalate conflicts to maintain a safe and harmonious work environment.
Food safety and hygiene are important for protecting vulnerable populations in aged care from foodborne illnesses. This section will cover safe food handling practices, recognising and preventing foodborne illnesses, and managing special dietary requirements and allergies.
Finally, risk management and continuous improvement are essential for maintaining high safety standards. You will learn how to conduct regular risk assessments, implement safety plans, and continuously improve through audits and feedback to ensure a safer, more effective work environment.
By the end of this course, you will have the knowledge and skills to work safely in aged care facilities, safeguarding both your well-being and that of the residents in your care.
Each section is complemented with examples to illustrate the concepts and techniques discussed.
LEARNING OUTCOMES:
By the end of this course, you will be able to understand the following topics:
1. Introduction to Workplace Safety in Aged Care Facilities
- Overview of Aged Care Safety Standards in Australia
- Importance of Safety in Aged Care Settings
- Roles and Responsibilities of Support Workers
2. Identifying Hazards in Aged Care Facilities
- Common Hazards in Aged Care
- Assessing the Risk Levels of Hazards
- Reporting Hazards to Supervisors or Safety Officers
3. Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) in Aged Care
- Types of PPE Used in Aged Care
- Correct Procedures for Wearing and Removing PPE
- Maintaining and Storing PPE Safely
4. Manual Handling and Lifting Techniques
- Best Practices for Safe Lifting and Moving Residents
- Safe Use of Hoists, Transfer Belts, and Other Lifting Devices
- Preventing Musculoskeletal Injuries for Support Workers
5. Infection Control Practices in Aged Care
- Key Infection Control Guidelines
- Managing Outbreaks and Reducing Infection Spread
- Sterilisation and Disinfection of Equipment
6. Safe Medication Management
- Understanding Medication Policies and Procedures
- Safe Handling, Administration, and Documentation of Medications
- Recognising and Responding to Medication Errors
7. Emergency Response and Evacuation Procedures
- Identifying Different Types of Emergencies in Aged Care
- Evacuation Procedures and Emergency Drills
- Communicating with Emergency Services and Families
8. Fire Safety in Aged Care Facilities
- Fire Prevention Strategies and Fire Risk Assessments
- Operation of Fire Extinguishers and Alarm Systems
- Fire Drills and Evacuation Plans for Residents
9. Safe Use of Hazardous Substances and Cleaning Agents
- Identifying Hazardous Substances in Aged Care
- Safe Storage, Handling, and Disposal of Chemicals
- Using Safety Data Sheets (SDS) for Hazardous Substances
10. Preventing Slips, Trips, and Falls
- Common Causes of Falls in Aged Care Facilities
- Implementing Fall Prevention Strategies for Residents
- Proper Reporting and Follow-up After Fall Incidents
11. Safeguarding Resident Dignity and Safety
- Maintaining Privacy and Respect in Personal Care
- Recognising Signs of Abuse or Neglect
- Reporting and Managing Incidents of Abuse
12. Safe Use of Assistive Devices and Equipment
- Types of Assistive Devices in Aged Care
- Safe Use and Maintenance of Assistive Devices
- Assisting Residents with Mobility Safely
13. Effective Communication in Aged Care Settings
- Importance of Clear Communication in Safety Management
- Communicating Safety Procedures to Residents and Colleagues
- Managing Difficult Conversations and De-escalating Conflicts
14. Food Safety and Hygiene in Aged Care
- Safe Food Handling Practices for Vulnerable Populations
- Recognising and Preventing Foodborne Illnesses
- Managing Special Dietary Requirements and Allergies
15. Risk Management and Continuous Improvement
- Conducting Regular Risk Assessments in Aged Care Facilities
- Implementing Safety Plans and Procedures
- Continuous Improvement Through Audits and Feedback
CERTIFICATION:
Upon course completion, you will be able to immediately download your customised digital “Certificate of Completion”.
COURSE DURATION
The typical duration of this course is approximately 2 hours to complete. Your enrolment is Valid Indefinitely. Start anytime and study at your own pace.
COURSE DELIVERY:
100% Online via our easy-to-navigate Learning Management System (LMS).
COURSE REQUIREMENTS:
You must have access to a computer or any mobile device; phone, tab, etc. with an internet connection to enrol and complete this course.