Working Life

Health Care Assistants do valuable and meaningful work that makes a difference in people's lives. While being a Health Care Assistant can be challenging, there is great variety in the role and it is a rewarding and fulfilling career helping others.

The exact type of care that Health Care Assistants provide depends on their working environment and the age, ability, health and level of self-sufficiency of the people they work with. The role involves providing safe, compassionate, respectful, empathetic care to a wide range of care recipients including those with a disability.
 
For example, in day centres, the main part of a Health Care Assistant's role may be to plan and supervise social activities. In residential homes for the elderly, some residents can be very frail, ill or confused. Here, a Health Care Assistant could help  someone to wash or have a bath, dress, eat, take medication, go the toilet and get around generally. Health Care Assistants may be responsible for routine medical tasks like applying cream or changing dressings under the supervision of a qualified nurse.  
 
Wherever they work, Health Care Assistants try to help people to keep as much independence and quality of life as they can. As far as possible, this means they enable people to do personal and social tasks, rather than doing the tasks for them. Health Care Assistants therefore help many people to keep their self-sufficiency and sense of dignity.  
 
Social care is very important, and it is essential that Health Care Assistants develop friendly, caring and trusting relationships with the people they work with. They talk to people, listen to their memories, and reassure them if they are anxious or confused. They may help people to make friends or keep in touch with their families. 
 
Health Care Assistants must be aware of any changes in an individual's physical or mental health, such as pain, loss of mobility, depression or anxiety. They must see illness as something that needs investigation, rather than a natural consequence of old age. In a residential home or day centre, Health Care Assistants report their observations to a care officer, warden or duty officer in charge.  
 
In hospitals, homes and day centres, Health Care Assistants are responsible for the health and safety of staff and residents. They look out for, prevent or report hasards including slippery floors, poor lighting, loose carpets and handrails, and unsafe electrical appliances.  

In the HSE Health Care Assistants are integral to the HSE's commitment to supporting patient-centred care and work in a frontline role. As a Health Care Assistant you will be part of a multi-disciplinary team with other professionals such as doctors, social workers, occupational therapists, physiotherapists and other health and social care professionals. You will also work closely with patients' families and carers.

Where Will I Work?

There is a great variety of working environments including hospitals and community settings. In the HSE you could work in a wide and varied range of roles across sectors such as Acute, Community, Mental Health, Older Persons and Disabilities. Within the acute setting, where it is usually expected you will undertake the sector-specific training module provided either through the Centre for Nursing and Midwifery Education (CNME) or through private providers (in limited circumstances).

You can work in specialised departments such as;

• Emergency Department
• Paediatrics
• Maternity
• Theatre

You may also work in settings such as private hospitals & clinics, nursing homes, residential care, home care services, intellectual disability, mental health & addiction services, hospices, palliative care facilities, community and voluntary organisations. 

Click on the links below to hear more about this rewarding and challenging career from Health Care Assistants in the HSE;

A day centre for older persons

Mental health services

A surgical ward in a hospital

The HSE is the biggest employer in Ireland for this occupation. Further information from the HSE on the duties and skills for this occupation can be found here.

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

 Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

 Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Health Care Assistants are usually over 18 years old. Qualifications at NFQ level 5 are needed for entry, many employers prefer applicants with relevant experience and training in a care environment.  

There are multiple entry routes to become a Health Care Assistant, with Further Education (FET) and Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) courses delivered in person and online. Qualifications at QQI Level 5, (Major Award) are a requirement for entry to the role in the HSE.  Applicants who hold an equivalent or comparable relevant healthcare qualification as outlined in Quality and Qualifications Ireland QQI (NARIC) framework or are currently employed as a Health Care Assistant or in a comparable role are eligible to apply.

If you are currently in receipt of a Social Welfare payment and would like information to establish if this payment would be impacted by taking up employment, please click here to access the Department of Social Protection's Benefit of Work Estimator.

Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research. 

Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.

Example search terms include: healthcare support or health care assistant

Examples of QQI Level 5 Major Awards in healthcare disciplines include:

5M4439 Healthcare Support

5M4349 Nursing Studies

5M3782 Health Service Skills

5M2786 Community Care

5M4468 Community Health Services

The Major Award must consist of 8 modules totalling 120 credits. 

Search for FET Courses

PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.

Example search terms include: healthcare support or health care assistant

Search for PLC Courses

If you are in a PLC course or considering taking one, you can check to see if there is a progression pathway to courses in the CAO system. The following link will list all PLC courses that are related to the Healthcare sector in Ireland. Use the filters on that page to narrow your search as required. 

Search Progression Routes

Note: Courses completed at PLC/FET level require specific FETAC awards and modules to meet minimum entry requirements to apply via CAO for a place in nursing under the HELS Higher Education Links Scheme.

Contact the Admissions Office of the individual (EB’s) Education Body or visit CAO Nursing FET- QQI places.

You can also check NMBI Careers in Nursing & Midwifery for any changes. 

Apprenticeships: 
Apprenticeships are structured work-based training programs that combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. They run from 2 – 4 years and are open to individuals of all ages, including school leavers, those seeking a career change, and existing employees who wish to upskill.

Example: Advanced Healthcare Assistant Practitioner

Search for Apprenticeships

Career Progression/ Professional Development

On completion of a QQI Level 5 Major Award in a healthcare discipline you may progress your career in a range of CAO courses in the healthcare sector through the  Higher Education Links Scheme.

There are many ways of deepening your skills as a Health Care Assistant in the HSE. Details on available courses can be accessed here, the HSE's portal that offers training and development opportunities delivered either online or in a classroom-style setting. 

The HSE offer two pathways for career progression:

HSE Horizontal Pathway

Working as a HCA

This pathway offers Health Care Assistants opportunities to work in a wide and varied range of roles across sectors such as Acute, Community, Mental Health, Older Persons and Disabilities. Within the acute setting, you can work in specialised departments, for example, Emergency Department, Paediatrics, Maternity, and Theatre.

When working in these specialised departments, depending on the Training Needs Analysis, it usually expected you will undertake the sector-specific training module provided either through the Centre for Nursing and Midwifery Education (CNME) or through private providers (in limited circumstances).

Working as HSCP Assistant

There are some HSCP Assistant roles (Occupational Therapy Assistant, Physiotherapy Assistant, Speech and Language Therapy Assistant, Audiology Assistant, and Radiography Assistant) available in hospital and community services. These provide alternative pathways for people interested in HCA careers. Eligibility requirements vary with some having the same criteria as HCA roles and some requiring specific extra modules to be completed. Further information available here.

HSE Vertical Pathway

Train as a nurse or midwife

Sponsorship to train as a nurse or midwife is available to Health Care Assistants working in the HSE and HSE-funded section 38 organisation through the nurse sponsorship programme. To be eligible the Health Care Assistant must be directly involved in delivering care to patients/clients in a nursing or midwifery context. 

If successful, the applicant's basic salary is paid for the duration of their nursing or midwifery degree programme. The applicant will be expected to return to their substantive post outside of the academic semesters for the duration of the programme.

For further information, please click here.

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €22k - €40k

HSE Healthcare Assistant: €29,562  - €37,600

Salaries vary by employer (public/ Private), location, duties, and experience.

Data Source(s):
HSE.ie/ Indeed.ie/ Payscale.com / Excel rercruitment

Last Updated: September, 2022

This occupation has been identified as a Job in Demand by the most recent National Skills Bulletin.

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Houseparents and residential wardens, Care workers and home carers Residential, day and domiciliary care managers and proprietors, Senior care workers, Care escorts.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2024).

Despite a small decline in employment levels between 2022 and 2023, employment growth for this occupation was only marginally below average. Although employment numbers fell, the high level of recent job hires in 2023 indicates that job churn is a significant feature for these roles. Most employed in these roles were female, with a third working part-time; in addition, a quarter were aged 55 years and over which point to a potential high level of replacement demand in the coming years. With 40% of those employed with third level qualifications, over-qualification may be a feature.

There was a high volume of job posts advertised through DSP for carers. The data points to issues with attracting and retaining staff for these roles and demand is likely to increase in future years as a result of our ageing population.

• Health Service Executive (HSE)

  • Dr Steevens' Hospital, Steevens Lane, Dublin, 8
  • 041 685 0300
  • Click Here