The Work

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.

Apprenticeship Route

The official entry route for a Health Care Assistant is through undertaking an apprenticeship.

Click here to find information on the Advanced Healthcare Assistant Practitioner apprenticeship

There are many pathways into Nursing Aid & Assisting in Healthcare roles. Employed healthcare assistants who have a relevant QQI Healthcare Level 5 Major Award (120 credits) with distinctions in at least 3 components or equivalent qualification from another awarding body mapped to level 5 on the National Framework of Qualifications and a minimum of 6 months' work experience in the healthcare sector 2.

Leaving certificate: 5 subjects with O6/H7 to include English. Learners also need to have foundation mathematics and a minimum of 6 months experience of working as a healthcare assistant and at least, 2 relevant QQI level 5 healthcare components - 30 credits

3. A mature candidate, over the age of 23 who does not hold the above Level 5 qualifications as set out in categories 1 or 2 above but who has a minimum of 2 years’ experience working as a healthcare Assistant, is recommended by their employer and demonstrates the correct attitudes, behaviours and literacy skills, will also be eligible to apply.

The English language entry requirements for the programme are CEF B2+ or equivalent. Candidates with English language levels below CEF B2+ must first reach this minimum standard before enrolling on the academic programme Learners must have their first aid responder, people moving and handling, CORU. 

Garda vetting and any relevant vaccinations (responsibility of the employer).

Training & Development 

FET Centre Traineeship Healthcare support NFQ level 5 Search our FET coursefinder

FET PLC Courses Healthcare Assitant FET course Healthcare Assistant NFQ level 5 & 6 Search our FET PLC coursefinder

Apprenticeship Healthcare Apprenticeship NFQ level 6 Search Apprenticeships

Last Updated: March, 2025

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

* The lower figures typically reflect starting salaries. Higher salaries are awarded to those with greater experience and responsibility. Positions in Dublin sometimes command higher salaries.

View Salary information from Indeed.ie
Note: data not aways available

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

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