How do I become a Health & Social Care Assistant (Therapy Assistant)?

Health and Social Care Assistants (Therapy Assistants) deliver designated elements of client care and support under the delegation of registered Health and Social Care Professionals (HSCPs), supporting the provision of person centred care and high-quality services.

Please click here for information on the eligibility criteria and Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) Level 5 qualifications and modules required for this role.

As a Therapy Assistant, you will work under the direction of a HSCP and alongside different professions, depending on service and team needs and your knowledge, skills, and experience.

Your role with the HSE

A Therapy Assistant is a valued member of the multidisciplinary team who works under the supervision of a HSCP to support the assessment, planning, organisation, and delivery of individual therapeutic programmes.

The role involves working with service users, families, carers, HSCPs, and staff in both individual and group settings. Therapy Assistants work directly with clients, delivering therapeutic interventions tailored to individual needs, including supporting activities of daily living as delegated by a HSCP to promote positive health outcomes.

As a Therapy Assistant, you contribute to the team through active participation in meetings and ongoing collaboration with colleagues to support positive individual health outcomes.

Career Progression – Horizontal Pathway

There is an opportunity for Therapy Assistants to work across different professions (Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Speech & Language Therapy, Social Work, Dietetics, Audiology) if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Career Progression
As a Therapy Assistant, there is an opportunity to progress your career through a tertiary pathway, to train as an Occupational Therapist and become a registered HSCP grade.

Please click here for more information on the tertiary degree course in Occupational Therapy.

As career pathways continue to develop and expand, Therapy Assistants are well placed to enhance their skills and pursue further professional development, providing opportunities to build on an already rewarding role.

Development

HSeLanD is the Irish Health Service’s national online learning and development portal. It offers an array of training opportunities for HSE staff to develop new skills and knowledge. These courses are delivered online or in a classroom style setting. Information on accessing courses and resources can be found on their website www.hseland.ie.

 

Staff benefits

Working in a rewarding and challenging career is just one of the many benefits you’ll enjoy as a HSE employee. We offer attractive pay and benefits, supervision, career support and development opportunities, promoting a better work life balance.

See Pay Scales – HSE Staff

Visit our Service in the Spotlight feature on Therapy Assistants to hear more about the rewards of working as a Health & Social Care Assistant (Therapy Assistant)

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