A new CQUniversity (CQU) initiative is now being delivered to aged care workers in the Bundaberg Region, providing them with additional skills and knowledge to assist them in reducing hospitalisations.
The Early Recognition of and Response to Deterioration in the Older Adult project is a free face-to-face, hands-on workshop delivered at the CQU Bundaberg campus and funded by the Queensland Government’s $5.9 million Micro-credentialing Program.
It has been designed by qualified healthcare educators to empower personal care workers in the aged care sector to gain new skills and voice concerns about suspected deterioration of older adults.
Program leader and Diploma of Nursing Teacher Joy Matthews said the workshop would see participants acquire valuable skills and knowledge to help them in their roles as carers, improving outcomes for patients and their employers.
“Participants will gain in-depth and practical knowledge in the conditions that commonly lead to potentially preventable hospital admissions,” Joy said.
“Our goal in designing and delivering this program is to help upskill staff to add further value within aged care settings by recognising and escalating signs of deterioration, so that action can be taken before hospitalisation is required.
“Older people, especially those in aged care, are more likely to suffer from chronic conditions that lead to visits to [the] emergency ward and hospitals stays but by identifying signs of deterioration early, it is possible to discuss treatment options with residents and their families.”
The program is structured to accommodate the busy schedules of working professionals, offering flexibility in terms of both timing and delivery format.
This approach reflects CQU's commitment to making education accessible and convenient for those already contributing to the community in critical roles.
Workshops are free for eligible participants, to check eligibility and find out more email hoc-nursing-phc@cqu.edu.au or register your interest here.
The delivery of this initiative has been made possible due to more than $58,000 in funding, delivered by the Queensland Government through the Department of Small Business, Employment and Training.
The Queensland Government’s $5.9 million Micro-credentialing Program is part of the Good people. Good jobs: Queensland Workforce Strategy 2022–2032.
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