What are community service jobs?
Community service careers are jobs that help the community in various ways. A community service employee’s responsibilities can vary depending on their area of expertise. A counsellor, for example, is a community service employee who advises clients on life issues such as careers and mental health. Employees in the community service sector can either volunteer or work for a living. Qualifications and experience may also be required for some community service jobs.
Skills required for Community service jobs
The following are some skills that may come in handy while performing your duties as a community service employee:
Empathy
In the community services industry, empathy can be one of the most crucial attributes to cultivate. Empathy is the ability to recognise and comprehend the emotions of others. This ability will assist you in providing professional care to patients and clients.
Communication
Most jobs in the community service segment require interaction with a wide range of people. These individuals may have health issues that make communicating and comprehending instructions difficult. Communication skills can assist you in interacting with clients and patients in a way they understand.
Leadership
If your role as a community service worker includes mentoring members of the public, you may benefit from leadership skills. As a mentor, your patients or clients may emulate your behavioural examples. Leadership skills can assist you in acting professionally, emphasising the importance of respect and patience.
Organisation
Organisational skills can help you prepare activities and organise your time more effectively. You may have a wide range of clients or patients who require different types of care. Organisational skills can assist you in planning, managing, and assigning activities logically, ensuring the best care for your patients.
What is Certificate III in Community Services?
CHC32015 Certificate III in Community Services will provide students with the fundamental skills required to work as a community services worker in the Social Sector, supporting individuals through providing person-centred services. Work may include assisting individuals in community settings or implementing specific community-based programmes.
Types of community service career opportunities under Certificate III in Community Services include:
Community care worker
CHWs typically share their ethnic identity, language, socioeconomic background, and life events with the people they serve. Community health mentors, lay health advocates, promotoras, outreach educators, community health legislators, peer health professionals, and peer health educators are some of the titles given to them. Community health workers provide culturally appropriate health education and information. They assist people in getting the care they require, provide informal counselling and guidance on health behaviours, advocate for both community and individual health needs, and provide some direct services like first aid and regular blood pressure screening.
Among the numerous known outcomes of CHW service are:
- Improved communication between community members and the health and social service systems.
- Enhanced communication between members of the community and healthcare providers.
- Reduced requirement for emergency and specialty services.
Indigenous youth/ support worker
An Indigenous Youth Worker assists young people of Indigenous or Torres Strait Islander heritage in reaching their full potential, personally and socially, while ensuring they receive the appropriate education. They may work in various settings, including schools, colleges, and specially designed youth centres.
Duties of Indigenous worker under Certificate III in Community Services
- To understand the needs of youth, conduct an assessment.
- Provide programmes to educate young people about smoking, health, and relationships.
- Individuals can be helped by mentoring and coaching them along the way.
- Collaborate with other experts from organisations who can also offer assistance and support.
- Regularly monitor young people to ensure they receive the appropriate support level.
- Attend regular training to keep your knowledge of various topics up to date.
- Administrative duties, such as ensuring that records are kept up-to-date
Youth support worker
A youth worker assists children and teenagers in developing their skills and knowledge. They typically help people who are isolated from their local community. A youth worker may assist their client with various life issues, including employment, housing, and education. They may also provide mental health care to their clients through counselling.
Accommodation Support Worker
Adults with mental health needs, learning disabilities, or vulnerability in some way are assisted by Accommodation Support Workers.
- Assist in various areas, including finance, daily living skills, constructive activity, improving health and wellbeing, housing, and social skills.
- Communicate effectively and promote supportive teamwork
- Work safely for yourself and others, adhering to health, safety, and safeguarding legislation, policy, and procedures.
- Manage your time as needed and be flexible to client and service needs
- Complete client-related paperwork, such as support plans, risk assessments, and distance travelled tools.
Apart from the above-mentioned community service careers, there are two additional roles, the Residential support worker and Aboriginal Youth Worker qualified under Certificate III in Community Services.