Health Care Assistant

How do I become a Health Care Assistant (HCA)

The Health Care Assistant brings their care skills, compassion and life experience to the essential role of supporting people.

There are multiple entry routes to become a HCA, with Further Education & Training (FET) and Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) courses delivered in person and online. Qualifications at QQI level 5 are a requirement for entry to the role.

You will find further information on the Careers Portal.

If you are currently in receipt of a Social Welfare payment and would like information to establish if this payment would be impacted by taking up employment, please click here to access the Department of Social Protection’s Benefit of Work Estimator.

Your role with the HSE

Health Care Assistants provide assistance, support and direct personal care to patients and residents in a variety of healthcare settings such as hospitals, clinics, nursing homes, as well as community settings.

The role of the HCA is to support the delivery of patient care under the supervision and direction of qualified clinicians.

Working in a frontline role alongside other members of the multidisciplinary team, health care assistants are integral to the HSE’s commitment to supporting patient-centred care.

Career progression

The role of the Health Care Assistant is a key enabler in the delivery of a quality service to patients & clients.  The HSE supports opportunities to expand your skills and knowledge within your role, or if you are interested in progressing to other roles in the HSE it can be a terrific starting point.

Vertical Pathway

A HCA can also apply directly to a Third Level Nursing or Midwifery undergraduate degree or to Access Programmes in institutions such as UCD, Trinity College, St Angela’s College, Carlow IT (Clermont Campus).

The HSE provides opportunities to trains as a nurse or midwife. 

Horizontal Pathway

Opportunities to work in a wide and varied range of HCA roles across sectors such as Acute, Community, Mental Health, Older Persons and Disabilites.

Through further education, a HCA can choose to specialise in a specific area, for example a QQI Level 5 in Pre-Nursing.

A HCA can also apply directly to a Third Level Nursing or Midwifery undergraduate degree or to Access Programmes in institutions such as UCD, Trinity College, St Angela’s College, Carlow IT (Clermont Campus).

For further information on both pathways, click here

Further training and development

There are many ways of deepening your skills as a Health Care Assistant. Details on available courses can be accessed by visiting HSELanD, the HSE’s portal that offers an array of training and development opportunities delivered either online or in a classroom-style setting.

Staff benefits and testimonials

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, professional supervision, career support and development opportunities, friendly colleagues, and an excellent quality of life.

See Pay scales – HSE Staff

“I go home happy every day knowing that I’ve made somebody’s life a little bit better.” – Let’s hear about the role from Health Care Assistant Paula Kelly, who works in the Day Centre for Older Persons in Clonskeagh Hospital, Dublin.