Healthcare Assistant (Health Service Skills) 5M3782
This one-year full-time course is designed for learners seeking to pursue a career as a healthcare assistant. The course provides students with essential knowledge and skills required to work in various healthcare settings. A Healthcare Assistant supports existing staff in a hospital or care setting in the practical care and general welfare of clients. They play a vital role on the care team. Career opportunities are excellent as many care settings require prospective employees to hold relevant certification such as this one. Students will also participate in practical placements, allowing them to gain hands-on experience in real-world healthcare settings. This course is ideal for those who wish to work as healthcare assistants, support workers, or pursue further studies in other health-related fields. The National Quality Standards for Residential Care Settings for Older People require all newly recruited care staff and those in posts less than one year, to commence training to Level 5 QQI or equivalent within two years of taking up employment. This is a full-time one-year course and runs from September to May.
Care Support 5N0758
Safety & Health at Work 5N1794
Care Skills 5N2770
Infection Prevention & Control 5N3734
Communications 5N0690
Work Experience (Learner must complete 150 hours in a Care Setting) 5N1356
Activities of Living Patient Care 5N3707
Care of the Older Person 5N2706
Leaving Certificate, Leaving Certificate Applied, or equivalent
Pre-entry guidance meeting
Mature applicants welcome
- QQI Level 5 Award in Health Service Skills (5M3782)
Courses below may be taken as additional certification and will incur additional costs. Check with class teacher for details.
Fire Safety Awareness Course
Training in the Protection of Older People From Abuse
Patient Moving & Handling Cert from PHECC registered provider
First Aid Responder (FAR) with GTI part-time education
Student Contribution: €175
QQI Exam Fee €50
Please note: Additional charges may apply. Details TBC.
Graduates of this course can apply through the CAO or the Higher Education Links Scheme to pursue higher and advanced certificate or degree programmes at national Institutes of Technology, Technological Universities, and Universities. The number of places available may be limited. Applicants should verify specific linked awards and eligibility criteria with the respective Higher Education Institution.
Career Opportunities
- Students who successfully complete the course may gain employment in a wide variety of organisations such as Hospitals, Nursing homes, Retirement homes and in Community care settings.
For more information on third level progression links, visit:
- CAO - Course Search
- Careers Portal - QQI Graduate Course Finder
Instructional video on using Careers Portal to find a course
If you require further information on progression pathways from this course email: progression.gti@gretb.ie
Full-time registered students of GTI may access a range of adult education courses at a reduced fee.
Students may be awarded the opportunity to participate in a 2 or 3 week fully funded European work placement as part of this course.
Caoimhe Hynes
I completed the QQI Level 5 Health Service Skills programme at GTI. After working many years in management roles, I decided to pursue a career in healthcare, and I can honestly say it has been one of the best decisions I have ever made. I am passionate about helping people and making a difference in their lives and for me I believe working in healthcare is one of the most rewarding career choices.
This course has provided me with the skills and knowledge necessary for my career in healthcare. Furthermore, I have thoroughly enjoyed participating in this course, it has been a number of years since I have engaged in study and I found the whole experience to be very educational and well planned. Initially I was worried about starting the course being a mature student, working full time and being a mum to a busy toddler. However the pace of the delivery and the support from tutors helped me to complete each module successfully.
I was encouraged and supported by fantastic tutors throughout my academic year at GTI. The support offered was second to none and I never felt like I was on my own. I could contact them anytime for advice or information and they were always happy to help. I particularly enjoyed the online interaction with other students on the course. I found myself in many interesting discussions with my classmates on a range of relevant topics.
I was also lucky to secure a work placement on St. Pius Ward (Urology Ward) at University Hospital Galway, which was the highlight of the course for me as I got to put all the theory into practice. Overall, I found this course to be a great experience and very informative and I would highly recommend this course to anyone with an interest in progressing their careers in this dynamic and challenging area.
GTI reserves the right to make changes in any course, to limit the number of places available or to withdraw a course. No part of this information shall be deemed to form a contract between the Institute and a student or third party.
Email claire.oconnor@gretb.ie
