Healthcare Assistant – Mental Health Studies

Certification
QQI Level 5
Reference
5M4339
Places
24
Fees
€50

Develop an understanding of what is involved in working with people experiencing mental health difficulties, and with their families. Develop the knowledge, skills and competence needed to pursue higher education studies in mental health nursing and/or to work as a healthcare assistant in a variety of hospital and healthcare settings.

PRINCIPAL AREAS OF STUDY

  • Anatomy & Physiology
  • Nursing Theory & Practice
  • Human Growth and Development
  • Understanding Mental Health
  • Recovery in Mental Health
  • Communications
  • Work Experience
  • Care Support
  • Care Skills
  • Safety and Health at Work

(Modules offered may be subject to change).

“My time training to be a health care assistant in Liberties College was a wonderful foundation to my career in healthcare. I am now a 4th year medical student in the Royal College of Surgeons and will qualify as a doctor next year. Before coming to the Liberties I had no connections to medicine and so struggled to get any work or hospital experience but knew I had an interest in the field. My time on placement in Our Ladies’ Children’s Hospital in Crumlin gave me incredible exposure to the multidisciplinary teams who work in hospitals and understand the roles of nurses, doctors and other health care professionals which allowed me to make a more informed decision that medicine was the course I wanted to pursue. My time as a HCA gave me insight into the work of hospital teams which will be invaluable to me for the remainder of my medical career.”

Evelyn Flynn

FEATURES OF THE COURSE

  • This course meets an increasing need for trained support staff across the growing mental health service sector.
  • Structured work experience organised by college in hospitals/healthcare facilities two days per week (November to May) and in block placement. Work experience organised by the College is subject to an interview process.
  • Course work is active and experiential, including manual handling,
    first aid and the practical competencies of a Healthcare Assistant.
  • Garda vetting for work experience

NOTES: Students taking up work experience placements in healthcare facilities must provide evidence of vaccination against or immunity to specified conditions. Students will be required to satisfy this requirement prior to placement (further information from the College Office)

PROGRESSION

  • This course offers progression opportunities through the Higher Education Links Scheme to General Nursing the Mental Health Nursing in third level.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS