Diploma of Alcohol and Other Drugs Online
Alcohol addiction is the most common drug addiction in Australia. Help change this with this online nationally recognised qualification in alcohol and other drugs.
The CHC53215 Diploma of Alcohol and Other Drugs Online would suit those want to help others in your community improve their lives and enjoy a rewarding career, consider studying the CHC53215 Diploma of Alcohol and Other Drugs Online. The Australian Government is putting more resources into this area and the number of professionals required to work in this field is expected to increase three-fold over the next decade.
This online qualification ensures you have the necessary skills and knowledge to help those who are addicted to alcohol and drugs. The online course covers aspects of Alcohol and Other Drugs intervention and strategies, referral, education and health promotion programs, supporting clients through the recovery process, and managing client relationships. Careers include roles as an Alcohol and Drugs Case Worker, Community Support Worker, Outreach Worker or Community Rehabilitation and Support Worker.
Available Online Units
Core Units
CHCADV005: Provide systems advocacy services
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to provide systems advocacy services.
It applies to workers who work within networks of organisations, or as part of an advocacy organisation.
They work autonomously and exercise judgement in selecting strategies to achieve desired outcomes.
Students will be required to:
- Develop and facilitate system advocacy: This involves identifying community needs, issues and concerns that can be addressed through system advocacy, developing system advocacy proposals in consultation with relevant stakeholders facilitating the development of partnerships and coalitions to progress system advocacy proposals, and advocating for system change to meet community needs.
- Promote system advocacy: this involves developing and implementing strategies to raise awareness of system advocacy among key stakeholders, using a range of strategies and media to promote system advocacy, and evaluating the effectiveness of promotional activities.
- Support individuals to engage in system advocacy: This involves Identifying and providing information and resources to individuals who want to engage in system advocacy, providing advice and support to individuals who want to engage in system advocacy, and advocating on behalf of an individual as required.
- Monitor and review system advocacy: This involves monitoring the progress of system advocacy in consultation with relevant stakeholders, evaluating system advocacy in consultation with relevant stakeholders, and making recommendations for improvement to system advocacy in consultation with relevant stakeholders.
CHCAOD001: Work in an Alcohol and Other Drugs Context
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to work in an alcohol and other drugs context. It covers identifying clients with AOD issues, working with clients who have AOD issues, and referral of clients with AOD issues.
This unit applies to workers who provide direct alcohol and other drugs services to clients. They work under general supervision and may have responsibility for leading other workers.
CHCAOD004: Assess needs of clients with alcohol and other drugs issues
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to conduct an assessment of clients with alcohol and other drug issues in order to develop case plans and coordinate service provision.
It applies to workers who conduct holistic assessments of clients with alcohol and other drugs issues and develop case plans in consultation with the client.
The skills in this unit must be applied within jurisdictional alcohol and other drugs legislation, policies and guidelines.
CHCAOD006: Provide interventions for people with alcohol and other drugs issues
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to work collaboratively with clients to provide alcohol and other drugs interventions.
It involves identifying client goals, strengths and protective factors, developing and implementing intervention plans, monitoring the effects of interventions, evaluating outcomes and modifying interventions as required.
This unit applies to workers who provide alcohol and other drug services in a range of settings. They work under general direction and take responsibility for their own outputs.
CHCAOD007: Develop strategies for alcohol and other drugs relapse prevention and management
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to develop, implement and monitor strategies for minimising harm associated with alcohol and other drugs (AOD) use and preventing and managing relapses.
It applies to workers in a range of settings who provide services to clients with AOD-related problems. They work under broad direction and take responsibility for their own outputs.
CHCAOD008: Provide advanced interventions to meet the needs of clients with alcohol and other drug issues
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to provide advanced interventions, in accordance with agreed organisational guidelines, to clients with alcohol and other drug issues.
This unit applies to workers who provide services to clients with alcohol and other drug issues in a range of settings, including specialist alcohol and other drug services, mental health services, primary health care services and community services.
Workers at this level will have a high degree of specialised knowledge and skills in alcohol and other drug work and be able to provide leadership and support to others.
CHCAOD009: Develop and review individual alcohol and other drugs treatment plans
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to develop and review alcohol and other drugs (AOD) treatment plans in consultation with clients, carers and other health professionals.
It applies to workers who provide support and direct client services in AOD treatment settings.
This unit requires workers to exercise judgement in relation to selecting equipment, resources and techniques for themselves and others and to manage the activity.
Workers must be able to identify client problems and implement responses that are defined by legislation, organisational policy and protocols.
CHCCCS004: Assess co-existing needs
This unit covers the skills and knowledge required to assess the co-existing needs of clients. It includes a review of assessment frameworks and tools, and an examination of how best to consider the impact of co-existing needs on service delivery.
This unit is important because it helps to ensure that co-existing needs are considered when providing services to clients. This can help to improve the overall service experience for clients and help to ensure that all of their needs are being met.
At the end of this unit, you will be able to:
- Understand the importance of assessing co-existing needs
- Review assessment frameworks and tools
- Consider how co-existing needs can impact service delivery
- Develop an action plan to address co-existing needs.
CHCCOM006: Establish and manage client relationships
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to establish and manage client relationships in order to achieve agreed work objectives.
This unit applies to workers who carry out work in a range of community services contexts. They work under general direction and take responsibility for their own outputs.
CHCDIV001: Work with Diverse People
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to work effectively with a range of diverse individuals, families, carers and/or communities.
It applies to workers who interface with diverse people as part of their job role. It includes interacting with people from diverse backgrounds in a range of contexts. It also includes having an awareness of own personal values, attitudes and beliefs and how these may impact working with diverse people.
At the end of this unit, students should be able to:
- Engage diverse individuals, families, carers and/or communities in a way that meets their needs promote their strengths and are culturally safe.
- Communicate with diverse individuals, families, carers and/or communities using methods and language that are appropriate to their needs.
- Promote the inclusion and participation of diverse individuals, families, carers and/or communities.
- Use effective interpersonal skills to support the development of respectful relationships with diverse individuals, families, carers and/or communities.
- Reflect on personal values, attitudes and beliefs and how they may impact working with diverse individuals
It applies to workers across a range of community work and services contexts who take responsibility for their own outputs within an established framework. They work under broad supervision and guidance from others.
CHCMHS005: Provide services to people with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drugs issues
This unit covers the skills and knowledge required to provide services to people with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drug issues. This may include assessment, case management, triage, referral, and support.
It applies to workers who provide frontline support and direct service delivery in a range of settings.
This unit is important because it provides the skills and knowledge required to support people with complex needs. People with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drug issues often have difficulty accessing services, and this unit will provide you with the skills to support them.
Completion of this unit will enable you to:
- Provide services to people with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drugs issues
- Assess the needs of people with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drugs issues
- Develop a support plan for people with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drugs issues
- Implement the support plan for people with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drugs issues
- Monitor and review the support plan for people with co-existing mental health and alcohol and other drug issues.
CHCMHS007: Work Effectively in Trauma Informed Care
This unit will cover the knowledge and skills required to work effectively with people who have experienced trauma. It will provide an understanding of the impact of trauma on people's lives and how to work safely and therapeutically with people who have been affected by trauma.
This unit is relevant to workers in a range of community, health and human service contexts who work directly with clients.
This unit is important because it will provide you with the skills and knowledge to work effectively and safely with clients who have experienced trauma. It will also help you to understand how trauma can impact people's lives and how to work in a way that is supportive and therapeutic.
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- Understand the impact of trauma on individuals, families and communities
- Identify key principles of working with clients who have experienced trauma
- Work safely and effectively with clients who have experienced trauma
- Use a range of interventions to support clients who have
CHCPOL003: Research and apply evidence to practice
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to access and interpret mental health research and information and apply this evidence to clinical practice.
Evidence gathering is a necessary step in any clinical decision-making process. It allows practitioners to make informed decisions about the most appropriate assessment, diagnosis and treatment for individual clients.
The research findings that mental health practitioners use to inform their clinical decision-making can come from a range of sources, including scientific journals, government reports, community surveys and client case studies.
This unit applies to mental health practitioners who work independently and with other members of a multidisciplinary team. They work with clients who have mental health issues and disorders, and their families/carers.
CHCPRP002: Collaborate in professional practice
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to establish, implement and evaluate collaborative practice.
This unit applies to health and community service practitioners who may collaborate on the delivery of services to individual clients, groups of clients, communities or sub-populations. They may work individually with shared clients, together with individual clients or work on projects or programs that address the needs of groups or sub-populations. Work is self-directed.
CHCPRP003: Reflect on and Improve Own Professional Practice
The unit reflects the role of workers who are engaged in applying a range of well-developed community service, case management and facilitation skills to work collaboratively with clients and other professionals. They may provide services in a range of community service contexts.
On completion of this unit, workers will have the skills and knowledge required to reflect on their own professional practice, to identify opportunities for improvement and make changes to enhance their effectiveness.
By the end of this unit, students should be able to:
1. Reflect on practice
- Evaluate own performance against relevant standards
- Identify areas of practice that need improvement
2. Seek feedback on practice
- Seek feedback from colleagues, clients and others on areas of practice that need improvement
3. Identify opportunities for improving practice
- Analyse feedback received to identify opportunities for improving practice
4. Implement improvements to practice
- Develop and implement a plan to improve own professional practice
5. Monitor and review changes to practice
- Monitor and review changes to own professional practice against the plan
HLTAID011: Provide first aid (Learners will need to complete unit externally and provide a valid First Aid certificate for a credit transfer prior to completion of course)
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to provide first aid in an education and care setting.
This unit applies to educators who work in all education and care settings.
They may be required to provide first aid, emergency life support or manage minor and major injuries and illnesses in children.
If you complete this Diploma of Alcohol and Other Drugs, you will gain the skills to:
- Understand addiction and its causes
- Work with clients with alcohol and other drug problems
- Implement interventions with clients
- Provide support to families and carers of clients with AOD problems
- Plan and coordinate services
Elective Units
CHCDFV006: Counsel clients affected by domestic and family violence
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to use counselling and facilitation skills to explore client issues and identify possible options by providing a safe and supportive environment. It includes encouraging clients to be actively involved in seeking their own solutions.
This unit applies to individuals whose job role involves working with clients on personal and psychological issues associated with domestic and family violence within established policies, procedures and guidelines.
CHCDIV002: Promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander Cultural Safety
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to promote Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety within own job role.
This unit applies to workers across a broad range of community service contexts who work collaboratively with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people. They may work with Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander individuals, families or communities in a direct service capacity or in an indirect service capacity.
Workers at this level maintain cultural safety by ensuring their own attitudes, knowledge, behaviours, and values do not judgementally affect service provision.
They work to ensure that the service environment and delivery are culturally safe for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander clients. This includes promoting the use of interpreters and other strategies to facilitate communication.
Workers may be required to provide leadership and guidance to others in promoting Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander cultural safety.
This unit applies to workers across a range of community work and services contexts who take responsibility for their own outputs within an established framework. They work under broad supervision and guidance from others.
CHCMHS009: Provide early intervention, health prevention and promotion programs
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to work collaboratively with clients, carers, and other professionals to develop, facilitate and monitor whole-of-person plans that promote mental health, recovery and wellbeing.
It addresses the ability to support clients to increase their wellbeing through identifying goals that are culturally safe and promoting their strengths, resilience and protective factors.
This unit applies to workers who provide direct client services across a range of sectors including alcohol and other drugs, community services, corrections, disability, early childhood education and care, education and training, health, mental health and aged care.
They work autonomously under broad directions from senior management, within a frame of evidence-based guidelines and recovery principles. Workers at this level take responsibility for their own outputs within defined organisational guidelines and may be authorised to provide supervision and leadership to other workers.
CHCMHS011: Assess and Promote Social, Emotional and Physical Wellbeing Course Details
This unit covers the skills and knowledge required to assess and promote the social, emotional and physical wellbeing of individuals experiencing mental health challenges. It includes understanding the interconnectedness of social, emotional and physical factors in mental health, identifying individual wellbeing needs and implementing strategies to enhance overall wellbeing. Learners will develop the ability to support clients by assessing their needs and promoting approaches that improve mental health outcomes through holistic, person-centred care.
This unit is crucial for workers who support individuals with mental health conditions. It equips workers with the skills to assess not only the emotional and mental aspects of wellbeing but also the social and physical dimensions, promoting an integrated approach to health and recovery. By learning to consider all aspects of an individual's health, workers can help create tailored support plans that contribute to a balanced and sustainable recovery journey.
Upon successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- Assess the social, emotional and physical wellbeing of individuals with mental health challenges
- Develop strategies to promote holistic wellbeing, including addressing the emotional, social and physical factors that impact recovery
- Collaborate with individuals to create person-centred wellbeing plans
- Identify and apply interventions that support positive wellbeing outcomes
- Monitor and review wellbeing strategies to ensure ongoing effectiveness and client satisfaction
CHCPRP001: Develop and maintain networks and collaborative partnerships
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to develop and maintain networks and collaborative partnerships.
It applies to workers who work with young people in a range of contexts.
At the end of this unit, students should be able to:
1. Develop partnerships
- Determine purpose of developing partnerships
- Develop networks and linkages
- Identify potential partners
- Develop partnerships
2. Maintain partnerships
- Maintain networks and linkages
- Evaluate the effectiveness of partnerships
3. Develop collaborative relationships
- Develop collaborative relationships
- Implement collaborative relationships
4. Maintain collaborative relationships
- Maintain collaborative relationships
- Evaluate the effectiveness of collaborative relationships
5. Facilitate community participation
- Facilitate community participation
- Evaluate the effectiveness of community participation
6. Advocate for community development
- Advance the interests of community development
- Evaluate the effectiveness of advocacy activities
7. Foster community self-reliance
- Evaluate community needs
- Encourage community initiatives
- Evaluate the effectiveness of fostering community self-reliance
HLTWHS006: Manage personal stressors in the work environment
This unit describes the skills and knowledge required to maintain health and wellbeing by preventing and managing personal stress.
This unit applies to work in a range of health and community services settings, in particular work roles that operate in high stress situations and circumstances.
What career could I have?
The Australian Government has pledged to fund more programs to help those who have alcohol and drug related issues and over the next ten years this will lead to an increase in support staff and counsellors in this area. Around 50,000 people are employed in this sector and this is expected to grow significantly over the next few years.
Possible careers include:
- Social Worker
- Alcohol and Drugs Advisor
- Support Worker
- Mental Health Worker
- Welfare Coordinator
- Dual Diagnosis Practitioner
- Psychosocial Rehabilitation Worker
- Refugee Liaison Officer
- Mental Health Worker
FAQ
- Be at least 18 years of age.
- Be and Australian citizen or permanent resident.
- Have completed their education to a level which is equivalent to an Australian Senior High School Year 12 or has completed an AQF Certificate IV in Alcohol & Other Drugs.
- Have suitable language, literacy and numeracy skills to read and comprehend learning materials and perform tasks related to recording workplace documents including reading and writing detailed reports, case notes, reports and other documents, interpreting workplace policy and procedure and reporting hazards. Learners are required to pass an online LLN assessment test.
- Have sound computer skills to navigate simple software to complete the online component of this course and must be able to use intermediate level Word features in order produce and present word-processed documents/ reports.
- Have access to a laptop and internet to complete this online course.
- These entry requirements will be confirmed through information collected on the enrolment form and during the enrolment interview.
This is a online blended delivery model which incorporates Trainer led synchronous online zoom classroom sessions for 3 hours per week in the evening, a monthly one-hour one-on-one mentoring session with your trainer (zoom, phone)
plus you will need to complete 22 hours per week undertaking structured self-paced study.
All online learning and assessment materials are accessed via the Learners online portal. You will have the support of a trainer/assessor throughout your online studies.
Enquire about Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) options if you are in the industry.
Complimentary Services and Career Guidance
Students studying this course online will gain career guidance from Hader Institute of Education and the Hader Clinic to help you prepare for your career.
Hader Institute provides support to all learners through the trainer and the Hader Institute of Education Learner Support Officer.
Is the Diploma of Alcohol and Other Drugs right for me?
The Diploma of Alcohol and Other Drugs is ideal if you have previous experience working in the alcohol and other drugs field or if you have a passion for helping others to overcome addiction as well as drug relapse prevention.
The Diploma will provide you with the advanced skills and knowledge needed to work as an alcohol and other drugs counsellor and will allow you to work with clients to develop individualised treatment plans.
Can I work in community services with the diploma of alcohol and other drugs?
Yes, the Diploma of Alcohol and Other Drugs qualifies you for work in community services. Community services work with people affected by alcohol and other drug use to provide support and assistance. You may be employed in a range of roles, including case management, program coordination, and service delivery.
How long will it take to complete the diploma?
The diploma can be completed in 12 - 18 months, depending on your study schedule. You can also receive recognition for prior learning to shorten this duration.
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