Healthcare Support

Duration

38 weeks.

Entry Requirements

What are the entry requirements?
• Applicants must have reached the current statutory school leaving age (16+).
• QQI Level 4 Major Award or its equivalent is essential (Leaving Cert, LCVP, LCA).
• Mature applicant route available.
• Good interpersonal and communication skills are essential, including verbal and written command of the English language. (CEFR B2 or Higher)
• Express an interest in learning and practicing new skills.
• Applicants must display a client focused personality and caring nature.
• Display characteristics of a good team worker and be capable of self-directed learning.
• Experience working in an care environment is an advantage but not a necessity.
• Garda vetting is a requirement for this programme and participation is subject to a satisfactory outcome of the Garda vetting process.
• Non-EU/EEA applicants must have permission to work in Ireland.
• Due to the physical nature of this occupation, successful applicants may need to submit a recent medical report from their G.P. specifying any identified conditions or illnesses which may compromise the health and safety of any client or learner engaged on the course.

Careers / Further progression

What are the progression opportunities?
There are opportunities to progress to Level 6 healthcare on completion of the level 5 healthcare support. In addition, one can progress to social care or other related courses in MTU or some of the other universities.

If you complete a QQI major award with Kerry College, you may use your results to progress to third level (University, Technological University or Institute of Technology). You should check individual university websites for specific entry criteria for courses.

There is a separate section on the CAO application for applying using your QQI results from Kerry College in the same way you use your Leaving Certificate results. You may also apply under the QQI Higher Education Links Scheme (HELS). A limited number of places are available each year.

What are the employment opportunities?
Opportunities for healthcare assistants exist throughout the health service within the public and private sectors. These settings include HSE run acute and community hospitals, community residential nursing homes, Intellectual disability services, hospices, community care centres, and private agencies for the Home Care Scheme.

There is strong a constant demand currently in the following areas:
• Home Help
• Public community hospital sector
• Private nursing homes
• Main hospital sector
• Private homecare providers

QQI FET Links to CAO Courses

Course Web Page