Healthcare Assistant
(Health Service Skills)

INTRODUCTION

If you have a compassionate nature and would like to take on the roles and responsibilities associated with the profession of caring, then this is the course for you. Learn all of the required competencies and skills but also learn about the importance of issues such as dignity, respect, empathy and confidentiality. Being a care worker is such an important role and this course will prepare you in all of the best ways. Students will use a fully equipped nursing/HCA room for all the practical work.

DURATION

September to May.

FEES

€300 including QQI examination fees, plus €200 approx. for vaccines. Additional costs for a uniform (if required). Medical card holders exempt from €50. See Fees & Payment for more details.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

• Leaving Certificate, LCA or QQI Level 4.
• Mature students are exempt from Leaving Certificate requirement.
• CERFL proficiency at B2 for access to Level 5 courses for those whose first language is not English.
• All applicants are interviewed.
• An offer of a place on this course is contingent on the applicant meeting the requirements set out here and satisfactory presentation at interview.

Note: This course requires students to be Garda vetted through the college. Prospective students should also be aware that some aspects of this course are physically demanding and should satisfy themselves that they are physically fit enough to undertake it.

CERTIFICATION

• QQI Level 5 Health Service Skills 5M3782.
• QQI Maths 5N1833 is available as an option in the evening, in Morrison’s Island Campus, for learners requiring Maths for progression.

COURSE CONTENT

ADDITIONAL TRAINING/WORKSHOPS

• People Moving and Handling Training and certification (requirement for work experience) –This workshop teaches safe and effective techniques used in the safe moving and handling of people in a variety of settings. This training is mandatory for person’s involved in manual handling and people moving and handling tasks. It is required by legislation under The Safety Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulation 2007 Part two chapter four. The training involves the theory module which is completed online (HSELanD.ie) and the practical module which is classroom based. The certificate obtained is valid for three years.
• HSE Safeguarding Adults at risk of abuse Certificate  (requirement for work experience) – Its primary focus is to inform learners on the guiding practice and procedures to keep vulnerable adults safe in the community and residential settings.  The content includes leaners being informed of their safeguarding responsibilities, the different types of abuse and neglect and how to recognise them and how to report concerns in line with HSE guidelines. All learners receive a certificate on completion at the end of the course. 
• First Aid (online) – This First Aid Workshop will introduce the learner to the principles of First Aid. The workshop includes identifying the role of the First Aider. Learners will understand how to respond to various injuries and illnesses including choking, fainting, burns, heart attacks, strokes, panic attacks, sprains and strains. A Certificate of Completion from Morrison’s Island Campus is issued on successful completion. The purpose of this workshop is to give the learner a basic understanding of how to deal with First Aid Emergencies. It is not intended as a substitute for a full First Aid Response Course.    
• AMRIC Hand Hygiene (HSELand) – Effective hand Hygiene is the single most effective thing that you can do to protect the people you care for and yourself from healthcare acquired infections. HCAI’s. But knowing is not enough – it’s important to apply what you have learnt and believe that it can be done. By the end of this course, you should know: Why hand hygiene is important:
  – When to practice hand hygiene.
  – How to perform hand hygiene in line with the WHO 5 Moments.
  – How to take care of your hands.
• AMRIC Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) (HSELand) – This course on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) will enable and empower you to make an assessment on the selection of PPE for a task and to put on and remove PPE correctly. By the end of the course, you will be able to: Identify why you need to wear PPE and where you need to wear it.
  – Recognise the appropriate PPE to wear to protect the body, face and eyes, and hands in different situations.
  – Put on and remove all PPE in acute and non-acute setting.
  – Dispose of used PPE safely.
  – Reflect on your own actions and behaviours in relation to PPE and infection prevention and control.

WORK PLACEMENT/EXPERIENCE

Students will undertake four weeks (min 150 hours) of work placement in a hospital or healthcare setting. Garda vetting is an integral part of the application procedure for this course. The college follows the National Immunisation Advisory Committee’s (NIAC) Immunisation Guidelines for Ireland which states that healthcare students should, as a minimum, receive or have received completed courses of immunisations for

–      Hepatitis B (minimum 2 doses)

–      Influenza

–      Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR 2 doses)

–      Varicella (Chicken Pox)  (1 or in some cases 2 doses).

Some placements may have additional vaccination requirements e.g. Covid 19.

Work placement is a highly valued component of the student experience here at the college. An excellent opportunity for you to gain insight into the world of work.  Students are encouraged to source their own Work Placement but you will be supported by the Work Placement team should you need assistance to do this.

EDUCATION PROGRESSION OPPORTUNITIES

Excellent progression opportunities to UCC and other Higher Education colleges. Special arrangements in place with MTU Cork (CCPS), MTU Kerry and SETU (Waterford & Carlow) for preferential entry for students of Morrisons Island locations.

Go to our progressions database for exact requirements on progressions for this course.

Some of our popular progression opportunities include:

• Morrison’s Island Campus: Advanced Health & Social Care (Health Services Supervisory Management)
• Morrison’s Island Campus: Advanced PsychoSocial Awareness
• MTU Cork: Social Care (MT573)
• UCC : Social Science (CK102)

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Nursing homes, hospitals, agency work, day care facilities, private homecare sector, intellectual disability environments.