Healthcare Support – (QQI Level 5 Major Award)

The Healthcare Support Course is designed to give those wishing to work in the healthcare system a thorough grounding in the necessary skills. The course is relevant and highly practical, with each module focusing on a specific area of care.

The course aims to prepare learners for a career both here in Ireland and Internationally by:

• Facilitating an understanding of the needs of the older person in relation to the maintenance of their independence, dignity, respect, self esteem and choice.
• Developing communication, intellectual, practical and caring skills to respond effectively and with empathy to the needs of the older person.
• Creating an understanding of current and emerging legislation that applies to the care of the older person.
• Raising awareness of the need for personal and professional development while working with older people and their families.

Whether planning to work in hospitals, in the community, in residential care or childcare learners will find stimulating and functional modules with knowledge which can easily be applied to the workplace.

Due to our size and comprehensive range of quality QQI Awards, we can offer learners the option to design and study the awards/modules that best suit their learning style and career goals.

We do not restrict and limit learners to set elective Modules and you can choose from 11 elective modules on this Major Award.

Modules Required Include:
Mandatory – All of the following components: – 75 Credits

• Care Skills (5N2770) – Click here for details »
• Care Support (5N0758) – Click here for details »
• Communications (5N0690) – Click here for details » or Personal Effectiveness (5N1390) – Click here for details »
• Safety and Health at Work (5N1794)* – Click here for details »
• Work Experience (5N1356) – Click here for details »

Choose Any Three of the following components: – 45 Credits

• Activities of Living Patient Care (5N3707) – Click here for details »
• Anatomy & Physiology (5N0749) – Click here for details »
• Care Provision and Practice (5N2705) – Click here for details »
• Care of the Older Person (5N2706) – Click here for details »
• Human Growth & Development (5N1729)* – Click here for details »
• Infection Prevention & Control (5N3734)* – Click here for details »
• Intellectual Disability Studies (5N1652)* – Click here for details »
• Nursing Theory & Practice (5N4325)* – Click here for details »
• Nutrition (5N2006)* – Click here for details »
• Operating Department Care Skills (5N3767)* – Click here for details »
• Palliative Care Support (5N3769) – Click here for details »
• Social Studies (5N1370)* – Click here for details »

Further Details on Each Module can be found on our website – www.theopencollege.com

*Students taking this module will have to sit an examination (€50.00) that is normally held in Dublin but arrangements can be made in outside centres around the country. This can be paid before exam dates and is not required upon enrolment. This exam fee is not covered in the course fee/registration fee.

All participants must have access to a professional Healthcare environment to fulfill the assessment requirements of the course – which is at least 150 hours work experience but we recommend 200 hours where feasible.

Work Placements

• If students are not in a position to secure a Work Placement or provide Insurance for the duration required please contact us to discuss further as we may be able to assist students with placements and work place insurance in certain circumstances.

Programme Entry Requirements

• Minimum Leaving Certificate or equivalent or relevant life and work experience.
• Students must be working or on work experience in the Healthcare Sector throughout their course as they need to fulfil a minimum of 150 hours work experience as part of their work experience module with this course as assignments will require learners to draw upon practical experience.
• Certain assessments require completion of work, which must be observed and evaluated by a Supervisor or Line manager.
• It is recommended that learners complete a Manual Handling course in conjunction with this course although it is not a mandatory module this is something that employers may look for.
• Garda vetting is required for all Healthcare placements and students can apply for this through The Open College. Please ask for details.
• If you take this course by distance learning the course material will be posted to you.  You can complete and return assignments/projects which must be typed rather than handwritten either by post or by email.
• If you take this course by eLearning you will need basic IT skills and have access to broadband.
• For more details on participation suitability of this course click here».

Assessment

• A combination of module appropriate assessment procedures will facilitate the assessment of learning outcomes of the course.  These methods will include a combination of final written examinations (e.g. Health & Safety at Work or Nutrition Modules) and continuous assessment processes such as assignments, collection of work, learner records, projects and skills demonstration. All assignments will be designed to maximise the individual participant’s skills in their career development. All work submitted must be your own work.
• As part of our quality assurance, student assessment work will be marked by an Internal Assessor, validated by a verifier with an independent QQI External Authenticator to complete the process.

Employment Opportunities

• Healthcare Assistants employed by the state sector – e.g. Homecare Support Scheme operated by the HSE.
• Healthcare Assistants employed by Agencies.
• Employees of registered care settings / private nursing homes who are required to meet the training standards for employment as a Healthcare Assistant.
• Those who are on work experience within a care setting who wish to acquire qualifications necessary for employment.
• Employees within the Childcare Industry.

Transfer and Progression to Further Studies

• This course is listed on the Higher Education Links Scheme, and, on successful completion, may be used to obtain access to a course at a higher level (e.g. Level 7 or 8 on the National Framework). Options include the HETAC Level 8 Degrees in Social Studies in Social Care and Health Promotion and Physical Activity. For more details contact us.