Cork College of FET Morrison's Island Campus
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Cork College of FET Morrison's Island Campus
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Cork College of FET Morrison's Island Campus
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Healthcare Assistant
(Health Service Skills)

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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.

COURSE CONTENT

Care of the Older Person - 5N2706

Explore how older people change and develop psychologically, physically and socially. Develop practical caring strategies for working with older people.

Care Skills - 5N2770

Understand the holistic care of a client over the full life span from birth to death, including areas such as disabilities, mental health, care of the older person and palliative care. Practical instruction in washing, feeding, mobilisation, toileting and grooming. End of life care is included as part of the holistic care.

Care Support - 5N0758

Explore roles, responsibilities and entitlements of a care worker. Demonstrate an ability to plan and provide enhanced quality of care.

Infection Prevention and Control - 5N3734

Learn how to prevent the spread of infection in the healthcare setting including hand hygiene and standard precautions. Practical instruction in all aspects of practice including cleaning following blood borne spillage and terminal cleaning.

Palliative Care Support - 5N3769

Enable the learner to develop a holistic approach to caring for persons with a life-limiting illness and their families. Learn effective communication skills that promote a holistic environment. Understand the structure and organisation of palliative care services. Learn to meet the specific needs of a person with a life-limiting illness and respond sensitively to the practical and emotional needs of bereaved families.

Safety and Health at work - 5N1794

sibilities and duties of the employer and employee with regards to health and safety. Explore appropriate procedures for use and disposal of hazardous materials and waste in the workplace. Investigate risk facts in relation to safety to include hazards, work environments, work practices, effects of medication.

Word Processing - 5N1358

Learn to produce professional mailable document. Learn file management and a host of functions including clipart, headers, footers, watermarks, graphics, tabs etc.

Work Experience - 5N1356

Planning, preparation and reflection on work placement. Job finding strategies, CV and personal statement preparation, interview skills. Practise employability skills with a view to future planning.

Communications - 5N0690

Acquire the writing skills needed for the workplace, learn to speak fluently and coherently in a professional setting, develop interpersonal skills and have an understanding of the impact of ICT on society.

ADDITIONAL TRAINING / WORKSHOPS

People Moving and Handling Certification (requirement for work experience)
HSE Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons at Risk Certificate (requirement for work experience)
First Aid Workshop (online)
AMRIC Hand Hygiene (HSELand)
Work Safely Induction (Health & Safety Authority)
AMRIC Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) (HSELand)

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:

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

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

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