Healthcare Assistant
This one-year course will aim to prepare participants for work with people in a hospital, respite care, social care, community development or residential setting. The healthcare worker needs the social, communication and caring skills to work with individuals and groups. Healthcare Skills will lay a foundation for these skills and provide the work experience to put learning into practice. This programme is ideal for both school leavers and experienced mature persons seeking a formal education. The aim of the course is to provide the human skills necessary for a career in the general healthcare area.
| 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
Leaving Cert or LCA
Mature students of all backgrounds
Other equivalent qualification
All applicants will be interviewed regardless of previous qualifications.
Careers / Further progression
CAREER OPPORTUNITIES
Graduates may pursue Level 8 honours degree courses in many of the colleges around the country such as TU Dublin, Athlone IT, DCU, Dundalk Institute of Technology, Marino Institute of Education, IT Carlow, Galway Mayo Institute, University of Limerick, Letterkenny IT, St Angela’s Sligo, Tralee IT,TCD, UCC, UCD, Waterford Institute of Technology (or any college under Applied Social Studies) or they can access Level 7 ordinary degrees in many of the IT colleges in the country in other disciplines.
Graduates may alternatively seek immediate employment in a range of hospitals, community care, nursing homes and health care initiatives. The qualification can also be used for entry into third level courses in the Social Care/ Social Studies area. This course will also help you to seek out links to degree programmes in the UK.
EMPLOYMENT PROGRESSION
All successful students from this course have gained immediate employment within the healthcare sector.
EXAMPLES OF HIGHER EDUCATION PROGRESSION:
SETU Waterford: SE928 Applied Health Care (Level 7, 3 Years), SE900 Applied Health Care
(Level 8, 4 Years)
DKIT: DK880 Health and Physical Activity (Level 8, 4 Years)
ATU Sligo: AU967 Occupational Safety and Health (Level 8, 4 Years)
TUD Blanchardstown: TU991 plied Social Studies (Level 8, 4 years)
Maynooth University: MH107 Social Science (Level 4 years)
TUD Blanchardstown: TU791 Applied Social Studies in Social Care (Level 7, 3 Years)
Further information
MATURE STUDENTS SUPPORT
The college welcomes adults over 23 who wish to return to education and who wish to retrain in new skills and technologies. Our mature learners enjoy the following supports in addition to the overall supports provided to all students:
• Mature student meet and greet before the college year begins.
• A dedicated mature student room where mature students can meet and work with fellow mature students.
• Tea and coffee making facilities are available in the Mature Student room daily.
• A mature student officer available for guidance and support.
• Academic support tailored to ensuring the smooth transition to DCFE.
• Coffee Mornings in the mature student room.
• Guest speakers from past mature learners.
• Career guidance talks tailored to mature links.
• A dedicated induction process for mature entry.
• Workshops in exam study, time management, presentation skills, IT skills, referring and research techniques, etc.
• Basic computer skills workshops.
• Organised social events for mature learners.
• We look forward to welcoming our future mature learners to Dunboyne College.
For all courses in 2024/25, course fees are now a non-refundable €30 administration fee. The course fee must be paid to secure your place, you can pay this fee through our website. More information can be found here.
You can access your application details via the Dunboyne College website (click Login/Pay Fees in the menu at the top of the page) using your ID number and password.
No cash will be accepted at the office. Payments can be made online or by cheque (payable to Dunboyne College of Further Education), by bank draft or by postal order only.
SUSI Grant
SUSI (Student Universal Support Ireland) is Ireland’s single national awarding authority for all higher and further education grants. SUSI offers funding to eligible students for level 5 and level 6 courses in Dunboyne College of Further Education. For more information visit www.susi.ie
Application Procedure
1. Applications can be made online at www.dunboynecollege.ie. from November 2023 to September 2024.
2. After registering online, students will receive a text and email to notify them they have pre-registered and can log in to view and track their application.
Applications now open
Apply online www.dunboynecollege.ie
Once we receive your application we will email you requesting:
Photograph Reference Interviews
Recent academic results Personal Statement
Interview
All applicants will be interviewed. Some additional requirements may apply depending on your course choice.
When you receive an offer please confirm it by the deadline.
3. Applicants will be notifi ed by text and email of a request to upload further information for their application:
(i). Copy of most recent school report or examination results
(ii). Reference from teacher, employer or coach.
(iii). 100-word personal statement on
“Why this course is right for me,” which should outline reasons for choosing the course.
(iv) Photograph
4. Interviews will take place for all courses.
5. Successful applicants will then be able to complete the registration process.
6. Late applicants can apply online for vacant places at any time until the end of September 2024.
7. A grant can be applied for from www.susi.ie.
8. A separate process for applicants to the Early Learning and Care courses (formerly Childcare courses) applies. Other courses may have additional entry requirements including auditions etc, please refer to the entry requirements for the courses of your choice.
9. Applicants for the Apprenticeships in Hairdressing and Accounting Technician should note that there is a difference system for applying. Please refer to the information listed for these apprenticeships.
10. Applications will be processed in line with DCFE Admission Policy.
Health Service Skills (5M3782)
Optional Year 2
QQI Level 6 Available
Course content
The following modules will be offered subject to availability / demand and may be subject to change
Care Support
Communications
Infection Prevention and Control
Work Experience
Care Skills
Word Processing
Care of the Older Person
Caring for Children in Hospital
Caring for Children in Hospital
Understanding Mental Health
Activities for Living Patient Care
Maternity Care Support
Assessment
Most courses will be assessed through continuous assessment. This means that modules are assessed with a combination of exams and assignments. Assignments can take various forms, including written projects, reports, essays, skills demonstrations, oral presentations or electronic work. Results for exams and assignments are combined to give the overall result for the module.
5M3782 - Health Service Skills
Certification:
Level 5 in Health Service Skills 5M3782
Patient Moving and Handling
CPR
First Aid
Child Protection
Dunboyne Business Park, Dunboyne, Co. Meath, A86 FH01
Phone: (01) 8026577
Email: DunboyneCollege@LMETB.ie
www.dunboynecollege.ie