Course Summary
Course Category: PLC (Further Education - FET) - Apply directly to College
This general Health Care Assistant (HCA) course prepares students to work as a member of the care team, assisting nurses in a wide variety of roles. This programme provides the HCA with the effective skills and knowledge to contribute to this important role in our health services.
Certification QQI Level 5
Course Details
This course prepares you for working in the following Career Sectors:
What will you study?
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Human Growth and Development
Anatomy & Physiology
Care Support
Care Skills
Safety and Health at Work
Nursing Theory & Practice
Maternity Care Support
Caring for Children in Hospital
Care of the Older Person
Communications
Work Experience
(Modules offered may be subject to change).
Important
- Colleges may add/remove modules to keep the course updated and to meet demands.
- Almost all PLC courses have a Work Experience module, which requires students to find their own placement in an area directly related to their course.
Progression to CAO Courses
Higher Education Links Scheme (HELS)
This course results in a QQI Major Award, and provides progression opportunities to a number of Higher Education courses, including those in the CAO.
To view CAO courses to which this award provides a direct progression route, click below:
QQI Code
To calculate Points based on your QQI award results, use the PLC Points Calculator.
The Student - Career Interests
This course 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.
Further Research
National Statistics for this Award (All Ireland)
The following data provides general information about this Award from colleges across Ireland.
Disclaimer: These links are to web sites outside of CareersPortal and we accept no responsibility for the information on them.
Career Progression
Healthcare Assistant in General Hospitals and Nursing Homes
Healthcare Assistant in community based care settings
Family and Community Services