Health Care Support
This course provides a recognised qualification necessary for working as a Health Care Assistant in a variety of settings, including hospitals, day and residential care, mental health, palliative care and the home.
Award Name | Level 5 Certificate (Level 5 NFQ) |
---|---|
NFQ Classification | Major |
Awarding Body | QQI |
NFQ Level | Level 5 NFQ |
Award Name | NFQ Classification | Awarding Body | NFQ Level |
---|---|---|---|
Level 5 Certificate (Level 5 NFQ) | Major | QQI | Level 5 NFQ |
Duration
1 year
Entry Requirements
One of the following:
• Leaving Certificate or its equivalent.
Extenuating circumstances may be considered
• Leaving Certificate Applied
• Full QQI Level 4 award
• Mature Applicants – experience will be considered in lieu of formal qualifications
Learners must be Garda vetted prior to work experience placement. Learners are required to source their own work placement
Careers / Further progression
Career Opportunities
Employment as Healthcare Assistant in:
• Hospitals
• Residential Care
• Maternity Care
• Home Care
• Hospice Care
• Community and Day-Care Centres
• Activity Co-ordinator
Higher Education Progression*
Examples of potential courses include:
• TU Dublin:
TUD Technological University Dublin (Grangegorman Campus):
Pharmacy Technician Studies (TU654) Level 6
Applied Social Care (TU997) Level 8
• SETU – South East Technological University (Carlow Campus):
Applied Social Studies in Professional Social Care (SE917) Level 8
Professional Social Care Practice (SE926) Level 7
• Carlow College:
Applied Social Studies (PC404) Level 7
• SETU – South East Technological university (Waterford Campus):
Social Care Practice (SE919) Level 8
Applied Health Care (SE928) Level 7
*Places are not guaranteed in these Institutes and are subject to students meeting certain criteria. Please consult the individual college websites for more information on application. Information available also at www.cao.ie
Further information
Course commences in September 2024.
Enrolment Procedure
Step 1:
Applicants must apply online at www.bife.ie.
Step 2:
In some cases, applicants may be invited to attend for interview at the Institute. Applicants will be selected on suitability and a first come/first served basis. You should bring the following to the interview:
• A copy of Leaving Certificate results (if applicable)
• A brief Curriculum Vitae
• A Portfolio of Work (where necessary)
• References (where necessary)
Step 3:
Successful applicants will be offered a place by post, subject to them achieving the basic entry requirements laid out in the prospectus/website and must secure their place by paying an acceptance fee of €50. All fees must be paid by Friday 30th August 2024. The €50 acceptance fee is non refundable. All other fees will be refunded if the applicant subsequently decides not to take their place before Friday 27th September 2024. Failure to pay the relevant fees may result in a lapse of your offer. All candidates who accept an offer agree to abide by the policies and procedures of the Institute.
Step 4:
All learners must register at the Institute or on-line by the designated registration date.
International Applicants
The Institute welcomes applications from International Learners. Non EA applicants (applicants outside the European Area, i.e. outside EU & Iceland, Norway and Switzerland) must comply with Irish immigration requirements. Such applicants will have to secure a visa from the Immigration Section of the Department of Justice. As all courses are delivered in English, International students will be required to provide a certified qualification of proficiency in English where English is not the applicants first language.
Non-EU students will be required to pay the economic cost of the course as determined by the Department of Education.
International applicants should apply directly to the Institute office for further information.
Mature students are welcome to apply. Entry by interview.
Fees
Courses at Bray Institute of Further Education are funded largely by the European Social Fund. Tuition costs are covered for Irish or EU citizens undertaking PLC courses. There is no application fee, however all learners are required to pay the following:
• An Acceptance Fee of €50, to be paid when offered a place on a course.
• A Resource contribution fee of €150 for learner services*, paid annually.
There is also a cost of registration with professional bodies for a small number of courses such as Accounting Technicians Ireland (ATI).
*Resource fees are used as a general fund to provide learner resources for PLC courses including library services
Maintenance Grant
Learners on full-time approved courses at the Institute are entitled to apply for Maintenance Grants. The Grant is means tested. Learners should apply to SUSI, the online grant application system, through www.studentfinance.ie.
Learners in receipt of the maintenance grant must pay all the usual costs of the course.
Back to Education Initiative & VTOS
The Department of Social Welfare and The Department of Education and Skills administer these two schemes. In 2024, these schemes will become fully integrated into the college. These schemes offer unemployed adults an opportunity to return to full-time education while retaining their full social welfare entitlements and in some cases to receive extra benefits. Payments from DEASP normally establish eligibility. Previous educational level can also contribute.
To check your eligibility log onto www.studentfinance.ie or talk to the VTOS Co-ordinator. Some extra benefits may apply.
Yes
You can only apply online on the BIFE website by clicking on the "Apply Now 2024/2025" button at the top of any page on the college website Or
Click on the Application Weblink above.
Applications usually begin in mid December of the proceeding year of application. Early applications are always advisable to avoid classes filling up and increase your chances of getting a position.
The content of the course focuses on preparing the learner for the workplace. It equips the carer with the knowledge and skills necessary to work in this rewarding role as a member of the care team. Two days per week are allocated to facilitate work experience in order to prepare well for employment. It is suitable for those wishing to embark on a career in caring and those already working in the sector who wish to gain a recognised qualification. Employers consistently seek to employ students directly from this course.
Programme of Study
• Care Skills
• Care Support
• Safety & Health at Work
• Communications
• Work Experience
• Infection Prevention and Control
• Care of the Older Person
• Palliative Care Support
• Manual Handling & Patient Moving Techniques (one day course)
• First Aid & CPR
Components subject to change
5M4339 - Healthcare Support
Certification:
QQI Level 5 Award in Healthcare Support (5M4339)
First Aid and CPR
Manual Handling and Patient Moving
Head of Department:
Helen O’Mahony
Course Co-ordinator:
Emer Shortall
Bray Institute of Further Education,
Tel: 01 282 9668
Email: bifeenquiries@kwetb.ie
Web: www.bife.ie