Gain crucial experience with on-site placements.
Students have the opportunity to connect with employers during their placement as well as gain the practical skills and knowledge in order to best prepare for the workplace.
On this page
Work placement learning gives you the opportunity to apply your knowledge on the job and helps you to understand your career options.
It involves working in a specific role at a location organised by Amana Living Training Institute. Amana Living operates 11 nursing homes in Perth, one in Mandurah and one in Kalgoorlie so typically your work placement will be close to where you live.
A work placement gives you on the job training and mentoring in a real workplace environment. This opportunity is generously offered by workplaces under supervised/mentor conditions and is designed to relate to the current training program you are undertaking.
Most of our courses require you to complete a set number of hours in a workplace-based setting and carry out an on-the-job performance assessment. For example, some of our Certificate III and IV qualifications include a minimum work placement of 120 hours, during which you are assessed on your practical ability.
You are expected to attend on days that have been designated to you and record the hours that you have been present at placement. This will be checked weekly by your trainer and reported back to the Student Services Officer.
Our parent company, Amana Living offers residential care, housing, respite care, transition care and dementia services, across the Perth metro and Kalgoorlie.
Amana Living is the only major aged care organisation to have its own Registered Training Organisation. This enables Amana Living Training Institute (ALTI) the ability to offer work placements, traineeships and possible employment opportunities for our students. It is an assurance that no other Registered Training Organisation in Western Australia can provide.
As well as offering work placements within Amana Living, ALTI has a number of partner organisations who may be suitable for your workplace placement.
What will I do on my work placement?
On your work placement, you will work alongside experienced staff to deliver direct care to residents or clients.
Your tasks will depend on the course you are studying but typically they will include assisting residents and clients with:
personal hygiene such as showering and toileting
getting dressed and grooming
eating and drinking
undertaking social activities
light exercises or walking
medication
How will I be assessed during the work placement?
We will observe you working with a resident/client and assess how you apply the knowledge and skills you have learned in your Development Workshops to the real world.
Prior to your first site visit, we will talk to you about gaining permission from residents/clients and your Manager/Team Leader for us to observe.
Dates and times for site visits will be arranged between you and your trainer for a time that suits you both. As soon as is reasonably possible at the end of an assessment, your trainer will provide you with the result of the assessment.
Feedback will be given on whether you were deemed satisfactory or not yet satisfactory. The feedback will be constructive, and students are encouraged to seek clarification if required.
Can I complete my work placement with an existing employer?
Yes, in some cases our students have been able to complete their work placement with an existing employer. For example, some students are already working at an Amana Living residential care centre in Perth and we have arranged for their work placement to also take place at that centre.
Please speak to the Student Services Team about your work placement options.
How will I find out about my work placement?
The Student Services Team and Clinical Education Coordinator will liaise with students and Service Managers/Team Leaders at Amana Living to arrange a suitable placement. If a placement cannot be found within Amana Living, arrangements will be made for the student to complete their placement at a partner organisation.
What support will I receive on my work placement?
You will have a dedicated manager at the work placement who will be responsible for:
Supporting and encouraging students.
Accommodating rostering to enable students to attend off the job training.
Allowing students to perform tasks outside of their normal roles for assessment purposes.
Providing appropriate feedback on workplace performance in accordance with Amana Living course requirements.
Ensuring the observation process is not interrupted.
Assisting students to access relevant resources in the workplace.
Providing students with feedback on workplace performance.
Reporting problems/needs to the Student Services Team or Training Manager as soon as they arise.
What are the benefits of doing a work placement?
A work placement offers an insight into what working life is like in an aged care or disability care environment.
It’s a great way to put the knowledge gained on your course into practice, building your skills while continuing to learn. This includes transferable skills like problem-solving, team work, time management and communication.
You’ll work alongside trained professionals who will support and mentor you, and you’ll better understand the importance of what you’ve been taught in your lessons.
A work placement can also lead to employment. Many of our students have gone on to work at the Amana Living aged care facility where they have completed their placement.
By the end of your placement, you will have:
Experience of working in an aged care or disability environment.
Worked alongside experienced clinical staff and direct care staff.
Developed and practiced technical skills learnt at ALTI in the workplace.
Been assessed in a real aged care environment working under appropriate. supervision over a set period of hours.
Developed the ability to reflect on your own work practices and growing knowledge and technical base.