QQI Level 5
This full time Healthcare course is designed to equip students to work effectively as Healthcare Assistants (HCA). This course satisfies the qualification requirement for HCAs recommended by the Health Information Quality Authority (HIQA).
The course provides a high standard of training and assessment under the tutelage of qualified professionals who have etensive clinical and teaching experience. It facilitates the student to develop a range of skills and specialist knowledge to prepare them for work in the healthcare system.

1 year

QQI Level 5

First Aid Workshop

Certificate in Patient Movement and Handling

€300 including QQI examination fees. (Medical card holders exempt from QQI examination fee of €50)

Vaccinations that cost approximately €100 are not included.

Print
  •  Care Skills 5N2770
  •  Care Support 5N0758
  •  Care of the Older Person 5N2706
  •  Palliative Care Support 5N3769
  •  Physiotherapy Assistant Practice 5N3770
  • Rehabilitation Support 5N3775
  •  Communications 5N0690
  •  Work Experience 5N1356
  •  Infection Prevention and Control 5N3734
  •  Attendance for Interview
  •  Leaving Certificate standard or equivalent
  •  Mature Students: experience is considered in lieu of educational/formal qualifications
  •  Proficiency in English (Oral and Written)CERFL proficiency at B2 for access to Level 5 courses for
    those whose first language is not English
  •  Awareness that aspects of the course are both physically and emotionally demanding
  •  Garda Vetting

This is a one year course from September to May. Work Experience is mandatory. This is an integral part of the learning journey and it allows students to merge classroom learning with practical application.

Students will undertake a block work placement of 4 weeks (min. 150 hours) in a hospital or care home setting. Garda Vetting is an integral part of the application procedure for this course. Hepatitus B and Flu Vaccinations (others may be required in individual settings) are required for work experience in a healthcare setting.

Applicants should be aware that healthcare environments used in work experience may insist that students are fully vaccinated for Covid 19.

The full QQI Level 5 award facilitates entry, on a competitive basis to a range of third level institutions nationwide.

  • QQI Level 6 Advanced Social and Vocational Integration (6M2218) (CCOC) OR
  • QQI Level 6 Advanced Certificate in Inclusive Education and Training 6M2263.

In addition, mature applicants may apply for nursing courses including Mature Nursing Degree programmes in UCC such as General Nursing, Psychiatric Nursing, Midwifery and Intellectual Disability Nursing through the CAO’s Mature entry route. Other links from this award include Social Care, Physiology & Health Science, Community Development, Youth and Community Work, Psychology and Arts.

Further details are available from the relevant institutions.

This course enables students to work in a variety of healthcare settings such as hospitals, day care centres, home-help assistants etc.

“I completed the Healthcare Support Course in Rossa College and I found my time there to be a very positive experience. I felt the guidance from the tutors was exceptional and each and every one was approachable at any time. Work placement was also of huge benefit to me. I found the practical experience and the theory studied in class was hugely beneficial when completing assignments. I am currently employed in the nursing home where I completed my work placement. ”

Michelle O'Donovan, Healthcare Assistant

“I completed the Healthcare Support course in West Cork Campus and loved my time there. The course appealed to me and I was familiar with West Cork Campus so knew what it had to offer. In the College there was a very welcoming atmosphere and I felt supported throughout my time there. While there was a lot of work to be done there was also a very homely atmosphere and a genuine understanding and flexibility that I found very encouraging.The work experience element of the course was hugely beneficial and gave me a great insight into the job of healthcare assistant. I have no doubt the experience I gained while on work experience was central to me securing my present employment in Bantry General Hospital where I work as a care assistant. In this job I encounter a wide range of situations and experiences and it is because of the Healthcare course I am able to deal competently with them.”

Denise O´Regan