Health & Social Care Assistant (Therapy Assistant)
Professional Qualifications, Experience, etc.
(A) Eligible applicants will be those who on the closing date for the competition have the following:
(i) Possess a relevant* health skills QQI Level 5 qualification (formerly FETAC) having achieved the associated Level 5 minor awards in Physiotherapy Assistant Theory and Physiotherapy Assistant Practice or Occupational Therapy Assistant Theory and Occupational Therapy Assistant Practice or Speech and Language Assistant Theory and Speech and Language Assistant Practice at Level 5 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ)
Or
(ii) Possess a relevant Healthcare qualification at not less than QQI Level 5 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) and give an undertaking to successfully complete an approved programme leading to QQI Level 5 minor awards in Physiotherapy Assistant Theory and Physiotherapy Assistant or Occupational Therapy Assistant Theory and Occupational Therapy Assistant Practice or Speech and Language Assistant Theory and Speech and Language Assistant Practice within 1 year of taking up duty.
Or
(iii) Be currently employed as a Physiotherapy Assistant, Healthcare Assistant, Care Assistant, Attendant, Multi-Task Attendant or in a comparable role for at least 1 year and give an undertaking to acquire an appropriate healthcare qualification at not less than QQI Level 5 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) major award, having achieved the associated Level 5 minor awards in Physiotherapy Assistant Theory and Physiotherapy Assistant Practice or Occupational Therapy Assistant Theory and Occupational Therapy Assistant Practice or Speech and Language Assistant Theory and Speech and Language Assistant Practice within 1 year of taking up post.
Or
(iv) Have completed the relevant QQI Level 5 minor awards in Physiotherapy Assistant Theory and Physiotherapy Assistant Practice or Occupational Therapy Assistant Theory and Occupational Therapy Assistant Practice or Speech and Language Assistant Theory and Speech and Language Assistant Practice and give a commitment to successfully complete a QQI level 5 major award within 1 year of taking up post
Or
(v) An equivalent qualification from another jurisdiction
(B) Candidates must possess the requisite clinical, leadership, managerial and administrative knowledge and ability for the proper discharge of the duties of the office.
Health
A candidate for and any person holding the office must be fully competent and capable of undertaking the duties attached to the office and be in a state of health such as would indicate a reasonable prospect of ability to render regular and efficient service.
Character
Each candidate for and any person holding the office must be of good character.
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Note:
With regard to Criterion (i), the listing below is considered relevant health skills QQI (formerly FETAC) Level 5* qualifications
- QQI Level 5 Healthcare Support
- QQI Level 5 Nursing Studies
- QQI Level 5 Community Care
- QQI Level 5 Health Service Skills
- QQI Level 5 Community Health Services
*(A full QQI/FETAC 5 Major award requires a minimum of 120 credits/8 Modules – Please note a Component Certificate will not suffice.)
With regard to Criterion (ii), a relevant Healthcare qualification at not less than QQI Level 5 on the National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) is considered to be a qualification with applied patient care modules / placements typically but not limited to qualifications in: Social Care Work, Nursing, Therapy Professions etc.