Period of Adaptation (POA)

Information for Health and Social Care Professional Applicants

The Health Service Executive (HSE) welcomes applications from internationally qualified Health and Social Care Professionals. As Ireland’s largest employer, the HSE provides services across acute hospitals, community care, disability services and specialist settings nationwide.

Health and Social Care Professionals who qualified outside of Ireland are required to apply to CORU, the regulatory body for Health and Social Care Professionals (HSCP) in Ireland, for Recognition of their Qualifications (RoQ). Registration with CORU is a requirement for employment for relevant Health and Social Care Professionals in Ireland.

Registration may require a Compensation Measure. If you have been assigned a compensation measure by CORU, this page outlines what this means and how the HSE may support you in this instance by facilitating a Period of Adaptation (POA) where the applicant has the relevant permissions to work in Ireland and subject to service availability.

When applying for a POA for the relevant profession within the HSE, applicant’s who are successful in the recruitment process for a substantive or entry-grade role will be appointed to the adaptation grade for the relevant profession as listed:

  • Speech and Language Therapy
  • Dietetics
  • Medical Science
  • Occupational Therapy
  • Physiotherapy
  • Podiatry
  • Radiation Therapy
  • Radiography
  • Social Work

This process provides a structured and time-bound pathway for completion of the POA (a maximum of 12 months), enabling progression to the Registered Professional position upon successful attainment of all required POA outcomes.

What is a Compensation Measure?
A compensation measure may be a requirement set by CORU as part of the recognition process for internationally qualified professionals. Where CORU identifies deficits following recognition, candidates may be required to complete a compensatory measure such as a POA.

A POA is a period of supervised clinical practice in Ireland. It provides a pathway for internationally qualified Health and Social Care Professionals whose existing qualifications have deficits when compared directly to the Irish Standards of Proficiency.

Following confirmation of the requirement to complete a compensatory measure, i.e. a POA, a decision letter will be sent by CORU to confirm that:

  •  A POA is required
  • The areas of practice or competencies that must be addressed during the POA
  • The duration of the POA
  • The outcome requirements needed for successful completion of the POA to support onward registration.

POA within the HSE
If CORU has assigned you a compensation measure i.e. a POA as part of your recognition process, the HSE may be in a position to facilitate a POA where the applicant has the relevant permissions to work in Ireland and suitable service opportunities exist. A POA is completed while working in a structured role, allowing the applicant to demonstrate competence in the Irish healthcare context under appropriate supervision and governance arrangements, in addition to gaining additional experience, while meeting CORU requirements.

Work Permissions and Eligibility
It is important to understand the employment eligibility requirements associated with Adaptation Grade roles. The Adaptation Grade is not on the Critical Skills Occupations List. This means:

  • The HSE cannot sponsor a Critical Skills Employment Permit for this grade
  • You must already hold a valid permission to live and work in Ireland, or
  • You must hold an alternative employment permit that allows you to work in the role

Applicants are responsible for ensuring their immigration status allows them to work in Ireland. The HSE does not provide immigration advice.

For guidance on employment permits, you should consult:

Finding Opportunities
If you have the appropriate permission to work in Ireland, you are encouraged to:

  • Register on the HSE Career Hub to receive weekly job alerts on healthcare roles in Ireland
  • View and apply for current vacancies on the HSE Jobs page

All recruitment is subject to service need and follows the Code of Practice set by the Commission for Public Service Appointments.

The HSE views the delivery of periods of adaptation to successful applicants as vital to the integration and support of highly valued internationally qualified Health and Social Care professionals.