Training for health care support workers

> Access

• Austrian citizenship or citizenship of a party to the EEA Agreement
• age of not less than 17 years
• physical, mental and medical fitness
• good character and standing
• successful completion of compulsory schooling

> Programme

Operating theatre assistant (Operationsgehilfe/in)

Theoretical instruction/subjects: basic hospital hygiene and infectiology, including disinfestation, disinfection and sterilisation; basic knowledge of instruments and technical equipment; basic first aid, including wound dressing and patient care; basic radiology and radiation protection; basic health, labour and social security legislation; introduction to operational management in hospitals.

Laboratory assistant (Laborgehilfe/in)

Theoretical instruction/subjects: basic hygiene and infectiology, including disinfestation, disinfection and sterilisation; introduction to basic concepts of clinical laboratory work; basic knowledge and care of technical equipment; basic radiology and radiation protection; basic health, labour and social security legislation.

Mortuary assistant (Prosekturgehilfe/in)

Theoretical instruction/subjects: basic hygiene and infectiology, including disinfestation, disinfection and sterilisation, with reference to professional hazards; post-mortem examination techniques; simple laboratory technology, basic knowledge of instruments and technical equipment; basic radiology and radiation protection; basic health, labour and social security legislation.

Doctor’s assistant (Ordinationsgehilfe/in)

Theoretical instruction/subjects: basic hygiene and infectiology, including disinfestation, disinfection and sterilisation; basic knowledge of instruments, devices and technical equipment; first aid and wound dressing; basic radiology and radiation protection; basic health, labour and social security legislation; basic administration of medical practices.

Occupational therapy assistant (Ergotherapiegehilfe/in)

Theoretical instruction/subjects: basic somatology; first aid and wound dressing; introduction to basic occupational physiology and rehabilitation; instruction on methods of work therapy; basic health, labour and social security legislation.

Disinfection assistant (Desinfektionsgehilfe/in)

Theoretical instruction/subjects: basic hygiene with special reference to professional hazards; knowledge of toxic and other substances used for decontamination (disinfection), safety regulations; instruction on disinfection procedures and the operation of equipment; first aid; basic health, labour and social security legislation.

> Job description / field of activities

Operating theatre assistant

Simple assistance and support in the performance of medical interventions according to instructions and under supervision

Laboratory assistant

Simple support services in clinical laboratories according to instructions and under supervision

Mortuary assistant

Assistance in the performance of post-mortem examinations according to instructions and under supervision

Doctor’s assistant

Simple support services for medical activities at medical practices, excluding dentist’s practices, according to instructions and under supervision

Occupational therapy assistant

Simple support services in the treatment of persons for curative and rehabilitation purposes by using manual skills and performing arts and craft activities according to instructions and under supervision

Disinfection assistant

Performance of decontamination activities (if these are carried out by officials of regional or local authorities as sanitary measures under the Epidemics Act ( Epidemiegesetz) or Tuberculosis Act ( Tuberkulosegesetz)) according to instructions and under supervision

> Career

Health care support workers may be employed by hospitals, other establishments under medical management or supervision that specialise in the prevention, diagnosis or treatment of diseases or in the nursing of persons needing care, or by medical practitioners.

> Further opportunities for education and training

Health care support workers may undergo training in several other health professions.