Trainee Healthcare Assistant

Overview

Do you enjoy caring for people, and seeing them feel better thanks to you?

Then you could make a great Trainee Healthcare Assistant.

This free 8-week online programme equips you with essential knowledge and skills to become a Trainee Healthcare Assistant across diverse health and care settings, with progression to Healthcare Assistant roles.

Learn everything you need to be a Healthcare assistant professional!:white_check_mark: Completely free!

8 weeks of training, consisting of:

• 6 weeks of full time 100% online training, including QQI accredited modules, followed by
• 2 weeks of in-person work placement in a care setting
• Followed by 6 months of wraparound career support.

As part of our wraparound support after the bootcamp, we will connect you with employers, support you with CV writing workshops, 1:1 mentoring and mock interviews.

You don’t need any experience just motivation to complete the programme and start your new career.

€28-30k average starting salary. Earn €30-35k after three years.

What jobs could I do after completing the programme?

This programme trains you to become a Trainee Healthcare Assistant, across a range of health and care settings, including residential care homes, supported living facilities, hospitals (HSE, community and specialist) and more. You’ll work under the guidance of a healthcare professional such as a nurse and your job will vary depending on where you’re based. For example, in a hospital you may: wash and dress patients, serve meals and help to feed patients or help people to move around.

Healthcare Assistants also work in nursing homes, which are established facilities for the care of older individuals, or in residential facilities providing support directly in people’s homes.

Key responsibilities include:
* Supporting patients with everyday tasks and mobility
* Monitoring patient wellbeing and report changes to nurses/doctors
* Offering companionship and emotional support
* Supporting clinical tasks where appropriate (e.g., helping patients to take prescribed medication, preparing patients for medical procedures or examinations)

Highlights: Care homes entry point; strong demand across Ireland, opportunities for progression to senior care roles and managerial positions, purposeful role helping people who need support

Who is this programme for?

This Trainee Healthcare Assistant programme is open to anyone aged 18+ (please check specific programme locations and dates above) and currently unemployed or working on a zero-hours contract.

You don’t need any qualifications or experience to apply. As a charity, it is our mission to widen access to opportunities and so we particularly encourage applications from people without a university degree.

We are looking for learners who:

• enjoying working with people and caring for them
• enjoy working with others in a team
• can be polite and professional in all situationsFind out more about who we seek to serve.

No Experience? No Problem!

Our programme is designed for individuals like you who are eager to make a difference but don’t have any previous experience. Through comprehensive training and qualification, you’ll gain the skills needed to excel.

Eligibility criteria

• Aged 18+
• Resident in Dublin region (please see above for specific programme location dates)
• Not currently in education, training or employment (except zero-hours contract)
• Have the legal right to work & live in Ireland – for non-EU citizens, we can only accept applications from those on a Stamp 1G Spousal (Graduate Stamp 1G Visas are not eligible) or Stamp 4 Visa
• Available full-time for the duration of the programme, and ready to start a full-time job after the programme
• Must be able to communicate clearly in spoken and written English
• Must have a quiet place to study on programme
• Take part in the Garda Vetting process.
  In order to take part in this training programme, and the 2 weeks’ of in person placement, you will need to complete and pass a Garda Vetting process with a clean form. This is common practice in the Care industry, and you’ll likely need to do it for any role you apply for in the future.If you are offered a place on the programme, we will help facilitate the Garda Vetting application during programme onboarding.

Are you currently receiving jobseeker payments from Intreo?

If you are in receipt of a Jobseekers payment, it is possible to continue claiming benefits throughout the programme (depending on Education, Training, and Development Option Eligibility)

If you don’t meet these criteria, you can still apply to a Generation programme but you won’t be able to continue receiving jobseeker’s payment. 

What we offer

• Learn everything you need to kickstart your career, including the technical skills our employer partners say they need and essential mindset skills for long-term success.
• We can provide you with a laptop and Wi-Fi if you need it to access the programme
• Connection to our employer partners for interviews post-programme and active support applying for other roles with employers hiring in the wider market.
• Receive personalised 1:1 coaching and mentoring for up to 6 months post-programme to overcome any challenges and thrive in your new career.
• Stand out in the job market you will complete 2 weeks of in-person work placement and also gain 2 modules from the QQI Level 5 in Health and Care.
  

What will you gain from the programme

• It’s free! Gain all the skills you need to kickstart a career in healthcare, at no cost.
• Free IT support – if you need a laptop, webcam, or internet connectivity to help you access the bootcamp, we’ll provide it while you study, free of charge
• Average estimated average salary of €28k in your first role and access to future progression opportunities
• Continue to claim benefits throughout the programme
• Grow in confidence and resilience, while building your first professional network in the classroom.
• Preparation for the qualifications that you will gain once you are working.

Program Dates

What industry skills will you learn?

Technical skills

We’ll help you learn the technical skills with lots of hands-on, interactive sessions. By the end, you’ll understand:

• The key Trainee Healthcare Assistant skills
• Preparation for care qualifications
• How to work with patients in a caring and compassionate way
• How to be successful at interview
• Behavioural skills

In every job, there are key skills that will help you be successful and stand out as a high quality team member. We’ll help you learn how to develop the key behavioural skills that will ensure you can transition into your new career smoothly and successfully. You’ll develop skills in:

• Growth mindset
• Persistence
• Future Orientation
• Personal Responsibility
• Communication and confidence

Ideal candidate profile

Ideal Candidate Profile for the Programme:

1. Why healthcare?
We’re looking for applicants with a genuine interest in caring for others and supporting patients, and who are motivated to build a career in the healthcare sector.

2. Are you able to fully commit to the training programme and the role afterwards?
The programme runs Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm for 6 weeks, and Healthcare Assistant roles often involve shift work and long periods on your feet (8-12 hour shifts). Before applying, think about whether you can commit to the full programme and future working patterns, including travel and any childcare or caring responsibilities.

3. Do you have the core skills to take part in the programme?
You’ll need proficient English and maths skills, basic digital confidence, and the ability to participate in online learning and group activities.

The application process

Ongoing benefits of Generation

A trusted network. You’ll join our ever-growing network of Generation graduates with access to continued learning and support from us.

Get involved and give back. There are many ways to get involved with spreading the Generation message once you graduate to help more people access life-changing careers.

Ongoing support. Use your new Generation network to find out about future career opportunities and troubleshoot challenges with each other.