Healthcare Assistant
(Health Service Skills)
Take the first step!
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 HCA room for all the practical work. This course is supported with ESOL for those whose first language is not English.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:
- Leaving Certificate, LCA or QQI Level 4. Mature students are exempt from Leaving Certificate requirement.
- An offer of a place on this course is contingent on the applicant meeting the entry requirements set out here and satisfactory completion of the processing stage.
Note: This course requires students to be Garda Vetted through the Campus. 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.
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 details.
CERTIFICATION
- QQI Level 5 Health Service Skills (5M3782).
- QQI Component Maths 5N1833 (available as option in evening for learners needing Maths for progression).
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.
Caring for Children in Hospital - 5N3737
Learn the appropriate skills to care for a child in hospital including care skills, communication, education and play. Identify the implications of current childcare legislation. Practice a range of skills to required to work confidently and effectively with a child in hospital.
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 - 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.
Intellectual Disability Studies - 5N1652
Equip the learner with the knowledge, skill and competence in the causes, range and effects of intellectual disabilities to develop an awareness of the importance of a social model of support and the role of various professionals in responding to the needs of persons with an intellectual disability.
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.
English as a second Language - 5N1632
Improve your use of the English language and learn a wide range of language skills, both oral and written for a variety of situations such as social and work environments.
ADDITIONAL TRAINING / WORKSHOPS
- People Moving and Handling Certification (requirement for work experience) – Manual handling training is required under Regulation 13 of the 1993 (General Application Regulations) and 1993 Manual Handling Regulations. This training programme is aimed at providing all persons at work with proper techniques when lifting, carrying, loading, pushing and supporting. It provides employees with good work practices such as proper lift Manual Handling Techniques. The course includes being aware of the necessity for safe methods of manual handling to reduce the risk of injury and understanding the need to avoid manual handling by using mechanical aids where possible. Furthermore, assessing the task using the TILE criteria (task, individual, load, environment) and implementing the correct method of lifting ensuring minimal risk to self and co-workers will also be included. Finally, knowing how to safely execute all relevant workplace manual handling tasks will be demonstrated. A certificate will be issued to learners who successfully complete the course.
- HSE Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons at Risk 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 learners 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 students receive a certificate on completion at the end of the course.
- First Aid Workshop (online) – This First Aid workshop will introduce the learner to the principles of First Aid. On successful completion of this workshop you will be a vital link in the chain of survival. The workshop includes identifying the role and responsibilities of the first Aider, understanding the principles of infection control. In addition, learners will describe and demonstrate how to assess a casualty- by conducting an initial check, physical examination, by obtaining a SAMPLE history, assessing levels of Response (AVPU) and identifying problems that are an immediate threat to life. Finally, learners will describe the requirements for a handover to other health care practitioners. A record of achievement from Morrison’s Island Campus is issued on successful completion.
- Work Safely Induction (Health & Safety Authority) – This Work Safely Induction has been developed by the Health and Safety Authority. The Work Safely Protocol is the key document your employer must follow for the safe operation of your workplace, particularly in relation to Covid-19. This course has been designed to help you to understand the measures outlined in the Work Safely Protocol. It is a requirement of the Protocol that workers must complete induction training.
- 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. - AMRIC Infection Prevention and Control (HSELand) – Practical programme which includes specific measures for prevention of infection in all healthcare facilities, how to identify hazards and carry out a well-informed risk assessment. How to control the sources and prevent onward transmission of infection.
WORK PLACEMENT / EXPERIENCE
Students will undertake 150 hours work experience in a hospital or care home setting. Garda vetting is an integral part of the application procedure for this course. Hepatitis B and flu vaccinations (others may be required in individual settings) are required for work experience in a healthcare setting. Applicants should be aware that healthcare environments used in work experience may insist that students are fully vaccinated for Covid-19.
EDUCATION PROGRESSION OPPORTUNITIES
Excellent progressions opportunities including:
- Morrison’s Island Campus: Advanced Psychosocial Awareness (Inclusive Education & Training).
- MTU Cork: Social Care (MT573).
- UCC: Social Science (CK102), Paramedicine (CK708).
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.
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Nursing homes, hospitals, agency work, day care facilities, private homecare sector, intellectual disability environments.
CONTACT DETAILS:
Email: HealthYoughal@morrisonsislandcampus.ie
Tel: (021) 4222 100