Expand+This course is aimed at anyone who is interested in working as a Carer (Healthcare Support Staff) either in a hospital, nursing home, or in the community (in people’s homes). The course is also aimed at those who wish to pursue a career in Nursing/M...

Hide-This course is aimed at anyone who is interested in working as a Carer (Healthcare Support Staff) either in a hospital, nursing home, or in the community (in people’s homes). The course is also aimed at those who wish to pursue a career in Nursing/Midwifery, since our combination of modules will qualify for applying for Nursing courses through the CAO. In addition to a Healthcare Support qualification, students on this course have the opportunity to do PHECC Certified Emergency First Responder and Emergency Medical Technician courses. All our PHECC Certified courses are conducted by PHECC Certified Instructors through a PHECC Registered Institution.

Expand+Award
On successful completion of this course, students will obtain a QQI Level 5 Award in Community Health Services, 5M4468.

Optional Courses

The following optional courses can be provided through the College by a PHECC Registered Training In...

Hide-Award
On successful completion of this course, students will obtain a QQI Level 5 Award in Community Health Services, 5M4468.

Optional Courses

The following optional courses can be provided through the College by a PHECC Registered Training Institute:

•Emergency First Responder (EFR) Certified by PHECC (PreHospital Emergency Care Council)
•Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Certified by PHECC (PreHospital Emergency Care Council)

Emergency First Responder
This Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) certified course will enable students to build on what they have learned in Occupational First Aid and extend and expand their skills to include splinting as a means of fracture management, correct collar application and use of a spinal board, use of a BVM (Bag Valve Mask) in CPR as well as the use and administration of certain medications including, oxygen, GTN, Glucose Gel and Salbutamol.

Emergency Medical Technician
This Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC) certificate course brings all the skills and knowledge learned in the EFR course to a whole new level. Students must participate in both a didactic and a work placement phase, the latter which can either be in a hospital or on an ambulance. Students will be trained in the use and administration of 9 different medications, the use ECG machines including the interpretation of a variety of heart rhythms, reaction to major incidents and a vast array of medical and traumatic scenarios. Successful completion of the course will result in registration with PHECC. This is the minimum qualification required to work on private ambulances at present, and opportunities also exist within the HSE to work as an EMT in the Intermediate Care network.


Note: Participation on Occupational First Aid, Manual Handling: Patient Lifting & Moving, Emergency First Responder and Emergency Medical Technician courses, are all subject to minimum numbers due to student : tutor ratios.


PHECC Certification
Pre-hospital care courses are certified by the Pre-Hospital Emergency Care Council (PHECC), and will be delivered by Medicall, a PHECC recognised training institute, on behalf of Westport CFE in the 2016-2017 and 2017-2018 academic years.

Expand+Applicants are asked to pay €50 on submission of their Application Form. Once you have applied you will be called for an interview within a few weeks. FETAC examination fees cost €50, although Medical Card holders are exempt from paying this fee on...

Hide-Applicants are asked to pay €50 on submission of their Application Form. Once you have applied you will be called for an interview within a few weeks. FETAC examination fees cost €50, although Medical Card holders are exempt from paying this fee on production of a valid medical card. Books and essential class materials may also be required. A €200 Government levy will apply on acceptance of a place on PLC course, but medical card holders and those in receipt of a maintenance grant will be exempt. A Student Service fee of €50 also applies.

Additional Costs Associated with this Course

A uniform is required consisting of a College Healthcare Tunic (women’s €30 and men’s €35) which can be ordered through the College. Navy trousers and black or navy shoes will also be required. The uniform will be worn for practical sessions in class, and is also essential for Work Placements. Students will also be required to purchase a fob watch and name badge for Work Experience.

The following mandatory courses are provided in the College:
•Occupational First Aid
•Manual Handling: Patient Lifting & Moving

Additional fees are payable for the above mandatory courses. These courses are provided by Medicall and prices are reviewed annually. Successful completion of both of the above courses is mandatory in October prior to the commencement of Work Placements in November.

Expand+Application Process:

You can find a full list of all our Full Time Level 5 and Level 6 Courses on our Course Page along with specific information on each course.

If you are still unsure of which course is right for you (or if you have any queri...

Hide-Application Process:

You can find a full list of all our Full Time Level 5 and Level 6 Courses on our Course Page along with specific information on each course.

If you are still unsure of which course is right for you (or if you have any queries on any aspect of any course) please call the College at 098 50800 and ask to speak to the relevant Course Co-ordinator.

Once you are happy with your course selection you can apply online (see link below).

In order to complete your application, you will need to pay €50 Administration/Application Fee which will be debited by card payment. Your application will be processed and your €50 Administration/Application Fee will be receipted which you can print off for your records. Applicants will then be contacted by the college via text message and email with a date and time for interview.

When you attend your interview you need to bring a copy of your Birth Certificate and a copy of your Leaving Certificate Results (or results of any previous PLC Course) or alternatively you may post them prior to your interview to the College at:

Westport College of Further Education, Westport, Co. Mayo.

Means tested grants are available from SUSI. Please visit http://www.susi.ie/for more information and to make an application.

Following interview, all applicants will be contacted to inform them whether or not they have secured a place on their chosen course. Successful applicants will be informed of when induction takes place, and of the official start date for their course.

To accept your place, students will be asked to pay a €200 Government Levy, as introduced in a recent budget, and €50 for FETAC/QQI Level 5 or €80 for FETAC/QQI Level 6 Examinations. Medical Card holders are exempt from paying both of those fees, but must produce a valid medical card to accept their place. Those in receipt of a Student Grant, a Back to Education Allowance (BTEA) or a Vocational Training Opportunities Scheme (VTOS) allowance may also be exempt, but must provide evidence of same. A student services fee of €50 is also payable by all students to accept your place.

Additional fees may apply and details of these will be displayed on the individual courses online or on Qualifax.

Expand+Modules on this course include:
•Communications 5N0690
•Work Experience 5N1356
•Anatomy & Physiology 5N0749
•Biology 5N2746
•Care of the Older Person 5N2706
•Care Skills 5N2770
•Emergency Department Care Skills 5N4890
•Nursing Theory & Practi...

Hide-Modules on this course include:
•Communications 5N0690
•Work Experience 5N1356
•Anatomy & Physiology 5N0749
•Biology 5N2746
•Care of the Older Person 5N2706
•Care Skills 5N2770
•Emergency Department Care Skills 5N4890
•Nursing Theory & Practice 5N4325
•Occupational First Aid 5N1207

Students on this course will also be required to complete a Manual Handling: Patient Lifting and Moving Course (provided in the College) and undergo Garda Vetting prior to the commencement of Work Experience.

Expand+Career Opportunities
On successful completion of our FETAC/QQI Community Health Services Level 5 Award, graduates will be qualified to work as Healthcare Assistants/Healthcare Support Staff in Hospitals, Nursing Homes or in the Community.

Qualifi...

Hide-Career Opportunities
On successful completion of our FETAC/QQI Community Health Services Level 5 Award, graduates will be qualified to work as Healthcare Assistants/Healthcare Support Staff in Hospitals, Nursing Homes or in the Community.

Qualified EMTs make take up employment in either the public or private sectors through the fire service or private ambulance companies and the HSE. Tutoring in a variety of first aid levels is also an option. EMTs may also use their qualification as a stepping stone to train as a Paramedic through the HSE. Employment options include:
•EMT with a Private Ambulance Company
•EMT with HSE (Intermediate Care patient transfers)
•Career with the Fire Service
•Education & Training (with a registered training institution or become self-employed)
•Further studies (train as a Paramedic through the HSE)