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Has anyone done this course online or through distance education?
Its a certificate III. I'm trying to decide if I should do the Business Admin (Medical), Cert III, or just a basic admin course & medical terminology seperate.
I'm a little worried about the workload. Having 4 kids with no support, but now I'm not working, I've got time.
I've not studied since an IT course I didn't finish when I left high school.
With OTEN can you enrol any time? Or will I have to wait til next semester?
Oh, & given that my only income at the moment is centrelink, would they cover costs of this course? Even though I'm not a jobseeker?
I'm on carers payment, so I don't think I actually have to return to the workforce at all while I'm still caring for DD. Does this affect weather or not centrelink will help with the costs??
From memory (been a while since I enrolled with OTEN) but being on Centrelink reduces the cost (to $100 roughly) but you could also be entitled to Pension Education Supplement (between $30-60 a fortnight but not sure if it covers carers or not)
I can't remember about enrolments and semesters but you should be able to call and get advice etc (and info pack). The careers advisor type people are awesome to speak to and can definitely help you make the right decision
Do you ideally want to go into medical admin? Or just general admin positions?
I've worked in admin/customer service/accounts and have no relevant certificates to back my experience of 10 years, but have been knocked back for positions I am clearly capable of doing simply because of this.
I personally think doing a general admin course would broaden your employment chances, and if medical is your ideal then do the terminology course afterwards to gain that knowledge. Doing just medical admin will restrict you job wise.
Work/study time wise, the courses are designed for you do to at your own pace. You do have a deadline (ie 12 months) but the course may only be 300 hours so if you work out to spend 10 hours per week thats 30 weeks and within the 12 months. (don't quote me on this as the course I did was back in 2008 so things may be different)
FWIW I did medical terminology as part of my initial nursing course and didn't find it too in depth
Thanks. Thats what I was hoping to hear :)
I want to do medical specifically, so I have a better chance in that industry. I've only ever really worked in hospitality & had my kids. So I don't think got a great chance with out something to back me up.
And I just need something to do to pass the time til I can work. No child care in the area, so there's 3.5 years to fill before DD3 is at school full time :)
Definitely get in touch with someone at OTEN -I've always found them easy to approach and they give great advice and guidance.
Studying can be hard whilst being home but setting aside time each day/week is the key (and sticking to it). I'm doing my law degree and set aside time through the day whilst DD is at school as DS asleep to do my work. If I need more time I do it after they're both in bed :)
Yeah, thats going to be the hard part. Keeping myself motivated. But its only 150 hours & being home doing nothing I spend hours online. FB, BB, ebay etc. Even if I only do the 3 days DS is at school I should manage ok :) Hopefully.
I'm studying with OTEN at the moment (not the course you're wanting to do though) and you can start any time.
I can't help you with the cost side of things as I'm not on any centrelink benefits.
I agree with CKJ, I'd do an admin course to start and then a medical terminology as a seperate course as it would definitely restrict you job wise.
I'm studying through OTEN and only had to pay the $50 handling charge but you may be able to get this covered on a full exemption (I only get the concession rate).
Def talk to them, I enrolled on a cert 3 course but they've bumped me up to cert 4 as my experience covers everything on cert 3 and they were really lovely and easy to talk to.
Good luck xx
Thanks for the help, I ended up filling out an enrollment for the cert III. I'll ring them tomorrow & I might change it.
Wish me luck! :)