Becoming a certified facilitator

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Entry level training and qualifications

Any health professional is suitable to be trained as a Life! program facilitator, for example:

• Aboriginal Health Worker
• Audiologist
• Chiropodist
• Chiropractor
• Diabetes Educator
• Dietitian
• Exercise Physiologist
• General Practitioners
• Mental Health Worker
• Nurses – Div 1 and 2
• Occupational Therapist
• Osteopath
• Pharmacists
• Physiotherapist
• Podiatrist
• Psychologist
• Speech Pathologist

Other professionals may be eligible but will need to be individually assessed.

Competencies

To become certified, facilitators will need to have attended the training course and demonstrate that they have the skills, professional knowledge and program knowledge to achieve the following:

Facilitator skills

• Experienced in working with a range of clients from different backgrounds and can bring people together for productive learning experience
• Ability to create a psychological environment that promotes learning, puts participants at ease and encourages them to express concerns
• Appropriate experience to deal with participants’ demographic in a way that is culturally and linguistically appropriate and sensitive to education and literacy levels
• Familiar with and able to apply principles used in the course, including:
  – principles of behaviour change theories
  – health belief model
  – self-management principles
  – motivational theory
  – overcoming barriers to change

• Appropriately skilled in counselling techniques (e.g. active listening, motivational interviewing, coaching, problem solving)
• Familiar with the teaching strategies used in the program (e.g. group discussions, practical sessions, problem-solving)

Knowledge

• Understands and is able to communicate the objectives and goals of the program to participants and referring health professionals
• A basic understanding of diabetes facts and is able to correct participants in a tactful way when inaccurate beliefs are offered
• Familiar with guidelines used in the course (e.g. national nutrition guidelines, physical activity guidelines) and is able to direct participants to the appropriate national authoritative bodies on each relevant area (e.g DA–Vic for information on diabetes)
• Demonstrates knowledge of relevant community services and is able to disseminate accurate info to clients
• Demonstrates an understanding of how an individual’s beliefs, values, culture and social situations affect health behaviours.
• Familiar with adult learning principles including the following :
  – Adults learn best when faced with a need or problem
  – Problem-oriented learning increases self-efficacy
  – Incorporating life experiences enhances motivation
  – Active participation increases learning and maintains interest
  – Adults learn through open discussion and sharing experiences
  – Adults prefer a physically and psychologically comfortable environment
  – Adults want to maintain their self-esteem
  – Adults are experts in their own lives.

Referrals for groups

• Understands the referral criteria and can guide potential appropriate Life! participants through it
• Is able to commence their first Life! Taking Action on Diabetes course within four weeks of completing the training and commence at least two courses within their first year