$50,000 worth of online health courses donated to help fight COVID-19

A Gold Coast medical educator is donating $50,000worth of health industry courses to bolster Queensland’s “Care Army”.

The Burleigh Heads-based Australian ParamedicalCollege (APC) is offering free courses through MyHealthStart to help volunteersbecome better equipped in basic medical and pandemic training.

APC helped streamline the MyHealthStart onlinecourses to help people move from the unemployment line straight to the front lineof the global pandemic.

The fast-tracked courses will enable communitymembers to be ready within weeks for any ‘worst case scenario’ of the pandemic –and ultimately give them a pathway to a career in the health industry.

APC founderPeter Evans hopes to help hundreds of people become equipped with essential pandemicand medical knowledge so they can assist hospitals and medical centres.

“There are alot of people whowant to help out in the current medical crisis but don’t know how,” said MrEvans.

“The courses will enable these people to get thebasic training, including pandemic training, that will equip them to help outwithin two weeks.

“We feel it’s very important as a community tocontribute where we can and the least we can do rather than donating straightcash is to offer courses that will equip people who want to help out as soon aspossible,” said Mr Evans.

19-year-old MyHealthStart participant EbonyLawlor said the course have given her insight into the discipline of health shewishes to pursue, and skills she can put to practice now.

“I’m excited to put the knowledge I’ve gainedinto practice and be on the front line in this critical time, helping those whoneed it most,” Ms Lawlor said.

Mr Evans helped streamline the MyHealthStartonline courses to cater for the current critical areas of need.

“The infectioncontrol course has modules around how to manage infection spreading during apandemic,” said Mr Evans.

“These arefundamental to community needs at the moment, and it gives people the knowledgethey need to play their part at a grassroots level to minimise the spread ofthis virus.

“We’ve also had anumber of inquiries from people who recently lost their jobs due to the shutdownand who are looking to reskill themselves for new careers.”

MyHealthStart has offeredpathways to careers in the health industry for hundreds of Australians. Theonline courses are backed by staff who hold the paramedical and educationqualifications necessary to facilitate the training.

The training is a stepping stone to further education in a broad rangeof health and allied disciplines, including nursing, aged care, individualsupport, disability support, health administration and allied healthassistance.

“Age is nobarrier to start afresh and we believe a career in health should not be out ofthe reach of people, especially now when the need for qualified professionalshas never been greater,” said Mr Evans.

“Among thosewho undertake our paramedic courses, for example, some 80 per cent go on tofurther study to become fully qualified professionals.

“Paramedicsultimately need to be tertiary educated, but a lot just take our course firstrather than outlaying the $60,000 or so to go to university only to decide thatit might not be what they want to do.”

MyHealthStartcourses teach foundational skills that prepare students for health care jobsand specific skills that can build confidence and knowledge.

Participants learn the basics ofhealth through an online platform, and gain insights into the jobroles from industry representatives, allowing them to choose thecareer pathway and outcome that suits them. 

After two weeks participants will gain a certificateof completion in Medical Terminology and Infection Control.

MyHealthStartgraduates can select pathways to a range of higher education studies, includinga Diploma of Paramedical Science, Diploma of Nursing, Certificate IIIIndividual Support (Aged Care) or Certificate III/IV in Allied HealthAssistance.

Should students choose to pursue further studythey will receive credit from the MyHealthStart courses.

Mr Evans said that many people may be sitting athome thinking about how they can offer a hand during the COVID-19 crisis, andthe MyHealthStart courses will allow them to do this.

“It’s never too late for anyone to learn or to start anew career and there’s no better time than right now to do something about it.”

100 scholarships are available to people of all ages,right across the country.

Places are accepted on a first come, first servedbasis. To secure your spot visit www.myhealthstart.com.au.