Healthcare Assistant (Health Service Skills)

• Care Skills 5N2770 – Understand the holistic care of a client over the full life span from birth to death, including areas such as disabilities, mental health, care of the older person and palliative care. Practical instruction in washing, feeding, mobilisation, toileting and grooming. End of life care is included as part of the holistic care.
• Care Support 5N0758 – Explore roles, responsibilities and entitlements of a care worker. Demonstrate an ability to plan and provide enhanced quality of care.
• Care of the Older Person 5N2706  – Explore how older people change and develop psychologically, physically and socially. Develop practical caring strategies for working with older people.
• Palliative Care 5N3769 – Enable the learner to develop a holistic approach to caring for persons with a life-limiting illness and their families. Learn effective communication skills that promote a holistic environment. Understand the structure and organisation of palliative care services. Learn to meet the specific needs of a person with a life-limiting illness and respond sensitively to the practical and emotional needs of bereaved families.
• Physiotherapy Assistant Practice 5N3770 Appreciate the role of posture, the benefits of therapeutic interventions to include exercise therapy, strengthening, range of movement & hydrotherapy. Execute the safe mobilisation of clients of all weight bearing abilities, to include supportive positioning of affected body parts using appropriate equipment.
• Rehabilitation Support 5N3775 This module equips the learner with the knowledge, skill and competence to apply the principles and practices of rehabilitation in the care of the individual with neurological injuries or limb absence.
• Communications 5N0690 – Acquire the writing skills needed for the workplace, learn to speak fluently and coherently in a professional setting, develop interpersonal skills and have an understanding of the impact of ICT on society.
• Work Experience 5N1356 – Planning, preparation and reflection on work placement. Job finding strategies, CV and personal statement preparation, interview skills. Practise employability skills with a view to future planning
• Infection Prevention and Control 5N3734 – Learn how to prevent the spread of infection in the healthcare setting including hand hygiene and standard precautions. Practical instruction in all aspects of practice including cleaning following blood borne spillage and terminal cleaning

Additional Training:

• Patient Moving and Handling Certification (requirement for work experience): Manual handling training is required under Regulation 13 of the 1993 (General Application Regulations) and 1993 Manual Handling Regulations. This training programme is aimed at providing all persons at work with proper techniques when lifting, carrying, loading, pushing and supporting. It provides employees with good work practices such as proper lift Manual Handling Techniques. The course includes being aware of the necessity for safe methods of manual handling to reduce the risk of injury and understanding the need to avoid manual handling by using mechanical aids where possible. Furthermore, assessing the task using the TILE criteria (task, individual, load, environment) and implementing the correct method of lifting ensuring minimal risk to self and co-workers will also be included.  Finally, knowing how to safely execute all relevant workplace manual handling tasks will be demonstrated. A certificate will be issued to learners who successfully complete the course.
• HSE Safeguarding Vulnerable Persons at Risk Certificate (requirement for work experience): This 3.5-hour course has been developed by the HSE and delivered by the college staff. Its primary focus is to inform learners on the guiding practice and procedures to keep vulnerable adults safe in the community and residential settings.  The content includes learners being informed of their safeguarding responsibilities, the different types of abuse and neglect and how to recognise them and how to report concerns in line with HSE guidelines.  All students receive a certificate on completion at the end of the course.
• First Aid Workshop: This First Aid workshop will introduce the learner to the principles of First Aid. The course includes identifying the role and responsibilities of the first Aider, understanding the principles of infection control.  In addition, learners will describe and demonstrate how to assess a casualty- by conducting an initial check, physical examination, by obtaining a SAMPLE history, assessing levels of Response (AVPU) and identifying problems that are an immediate threat to life.  Finally, learners will describe the requirements for a handover to other health care practitioners.