This programme offers learners an opportunity to gain skills and knowledge suitable for a healthcare setting with the necessary qualification required for all healthcare support staff. Learners complete work experience in a clinical/ward environment and are trained using simulation equipment to help them understand how to care for people. Successful learners could go on to work in many different healthcare settings including hospitals, nursing homes and register with agencies for home help services.

The aim of this programme is to enable the learner to acquire the knowledge, skill, and competence to work independently and under supervision in providing support in a variety of Healthcare settings and or to progress to higher education and training.

To support students in preparation for work placement, additional certification is also offered e.g. Safe Patient Moving and Handling, Cardiac First Response, Hand Hygiene and Safe Guarding Vulnerable Adults.

Students are offered a practical and theoretical introduction to a career in the caring field.

This course gives students a realistic understanding of what the world of work entails and the required qualification for working as care/care assistants.

• To facilitate the learner to explore healthcare support with a view to re-skilling/up-skilling and exploring concepts and subject areas that may interest the learner in future programmes or employment
• To facilitate the learner to plan, develop and implement appropriate Healthcare strategies that contribute to the health and well being a wide range of client groups in a range of health care settings.
• To facilitate the contribute to planning, implementing and evaluating processes in providing holistic client centred care safely and effectively.
• To provide a programme of learning that is vocational in nature and flexible in structure so that the learner has the maximum opportunity to improve his/her academic and vocational literacy, numerical, ICT and planning skills while participating in the programme

• To facilitate the learner to explore healthcare support with a view to re-skilling/up-skilling and exploring concepts and subject areas that may interest the learner in future programmes or employment
• To facilitate the learner to plan, develop and implement appropriate Healthcare strategies that contribute to the health and well being a wide range of client groups in a range of health care settings.
• To facilitate the contribute to planning, implementing and evaluating processes in providing holistic client centred care safely and effectively.
• To provide a programme of learning that is vocational in nature and flexible in structure so that the learner has the maximum opportunity to improve his/her academic and vocational literacy, numerical, ICT and planning skills while participating in the programme

This course can support your entry to a career in health care, and progression to higher education courses in health and social care.

The Healthcare Assistance course provides students with the knowledge, skills, and competence to work under supervision in providing support in a variety of healthcare settings or to progress to further and higher education and training.  It provides a recognised qualification for healthcare workers, currently in employment and those seeking to work in this sector. This Healthcare Support Award is one of the Department of Health and Children’s recommended qualifications for Healthcare Assistants working in the public and private sector. The course aims to develop communication, practical and caring skills in the learner, to allow them to respond effectively and with empathy to the needs of the older person. Learners will be introduced to current and emerging legislation that applies to the care of the older person and the need for personal and professional development while working with older people and their families.

This one-year course will prepare participants for work with people in a hospital, long-term care home, community development, residential care setting, or respite care and nursing homes. This programme is ideal for both school leavers and experienced mature persons seeking to further their education. The completion of work placement as part of the program, will equip students with practical hands-on experience.

This one year course is to enable the learner to acquire the knowledge, skill and competence to work under supervision in providing support in a variety of Healthcare settings or to progress to further and or higher education and training.

• It is a stand-alone qualification for employment as a Care Assistant/Healthcare Worker
• It can also be used as a route to 3rd Level Education