GP Practice Assistant
(Nursing Studies)

Take the first step!

OUR COURSES:



All Courses



Health & Social Studies

APPLY HERE

Chris and Jessica pictured on Open Day and always ready to meet students

A few of the GP Assistant students hard at work

A few of the GP Assistant students learning GP Assistant skills

Learning Skills with Blood

Everybody busy and in consultation

Students working on a patient’s arm

Learning how to take and read blood pressure

Students working with a patient’s hand

Students practicing the skills necessary to assist a GP

Students learning how to take and read blood pressure

Students learning about phlebotomy

Learning practical GP Assistant skills

Learning how to take and read blood pressure

INTRODUCTION:

This course provides the skills and knowledge required for a new role identified by the HSE to support GPs to expand their practices. It is a “hybrid” role with both assistant to the Practice Nurse and medical admin/secretary functions.

GP Assistants carry out certain basic tasks such as taking temperatures, pulse, weight and promoting positive mental/physical/nutritional health with patients etc. Sterilising equipment, restocking consultation rooms, covering administrative duties, communicating with patients, relatives and carers all form part of the role.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:

Leaving Certificate with five subjects at grade O6/H7, with Ordinary Level Maths (grade O6 preferable). Leaving Certificate Biology is considered an advantage.
Mature students are exempt from Leaving Certificate requirement.
CERFL proficiency at B2 for access to Level 5 courses for those whose first language is not English.
All applicants will be interviewed for a place on the course.
An offer of a place on this course is contingent on the applicant meeting the entry requirements set out here and satisfactory completion of the processing stage.

Note: This course requires students to be Garda vetted. Prospective students should also be aware that some aspects of this course are physically demanding and should satisfy themselves that they are physically fit enough to undertake it.

DURATION:

September to May.

FEES:

See fees & payment for details.

CERTIFICATION

QQI Level 5 Certificate in Nursing Studies (5M4349).
QQI Component Maths (5N1833) – available as an option in the evening for learners needing Maths for progression.

COURSE CONTENT

Anatomy and Physiology - 5N0749

Learn the structure of the various systems within the human body e.g. digestive, system, respiratory system, nervous system, skeletal system etc. and how they work. Develop an understanding of the interrelationships that exit between these systems.

Nursing Theory and Practice - 5N4325

Develop an understanding of the caring skills, knowledge and accountability required by a professional nurse, including safe patient handling and measurement and accurate recording of temperature, pulse, respiration, blood pressure and fluid balance. The link between theory and practice is constant and using the Nursing Process and the Roper, Logan and Tierney model of nursing as guides the student learns the importance of client centre care and inclusivity.

Human Growth and Development - 5N1279

Learn psychology throughout the lifespan, how we grow, learn develop and change throughout our lives. Understand factors that affect development throughout the lifespan. Develop interpersonal/interactive skills appropriate to responding to the needs of others.

Care Skills - 5N2770

Understand the holistic care of a client over the full life span from birth to death, including areas such as disabilities, mental health, care of the older person and palliative care. Practical instruction in washing, feeding, mobilisation, toileting and grooming. End of life care is included as part of the holistic care.

Work Experience - 5N1356

Planning, preparation and reflection on work placement. Job finding strategies, CV and personal statement preparation, interview skills. Practise employability skills with a view to future planning.

Communications - 5N0690

Acquire the writing skills needed for the workplace, learn to speak fluently and coherently in a professional setting, develop interpersonal skills and have an understanding of the impact of ICT on society.

Infection Prevention and Control - 5N3734

Learn how to prevent the spread of infection in the healthcare setting including hand hygiene and standard precautions. Practical instruction in all aspects of practice including cleaning following blood borne spillage and terminal cleaning.

Word Processing - 5N1358

Learn to produce professional mailable document. Learn file management and a host of functions including clipart, headers, footers, watermarks, graphics, tabs etc.

Spreadsheets Methods - 5N1977

Produce a spreadsheet that meets a simple design specification and is fit for purpose. Learn a range of spreadsheet features such as data and cell formatting techniques, conditional IF statements, financial, date and time functions. Generate a variety of types of graphs from spreadsheet data. Automate routine multi-step tasks through the creation, execution and management of simple macros.

ADDITIONAL TRAINING / WORKSHOPS

Socrates Medical Package

Socrates software is a medical records system for a General Practice. It is used by Irish GPs. Our Socrates course which is certified by Morrison’s Island Campus includes the management of patient files and the addition of new patients, managing the appointment system for the practice.  It includes organising the waiting room and consultations of patients once they arrive at the practice, printing repeat prescriptions and referral letter as well as billing and fee management functions.  This course gives the student a valued experience in what it would be like to work as a receptionist in General Practice. A Certificate of completion is issued on completion.

Phlebotomy course

This is a largely practical course covering equipment selection, preparation and management, blood draw techniques and complications and management and storage of blood samples.

People Moving and Handling Certification (requirement for work experience)

This workshop teaches safe and effective techniques used in the safe moving and handling of people in a variety of settings. This training is mandatory for person’s involved in manual handling and people moving and handling tasks. It is required by legislation under The Safety Health and Welfare at Work (General Application) Regulation 2007 Part two chapter four. The training involves the theory module which is completed online (HSELanD.ie) and the practical module which is classroom based. The certificate obtained is valid for three years.

HSE Safeguarding Adults at risk of abuse Certificate (requirement for work experience)

Its primary focus is to inform learners on the guiding practice and procedures to keep vulnerable adults safe in the community and residential settings. The content includes leaners being informed of their safeguarding responsibilities, the different types of abuse and neglect and how to recognise them and how to report concerns in line with HSE guidelines. All learners receive a certificate on completion at the end of the course.

First Aid Workshop (online)

This First Aid Workshop will introduce the learner to the principles of First Aid. The workshop includes identifying the role of the First Aider. Learners will understand how to respond to various injuries and illnesses including choking, fainting, burns, heart attacks, strokes, panic attacks, sprains and strains. A Certificate of Completion from Morrison’s Island Campus is issued on successful completion. The purpose of this workshop is to give the learner a basic understanding of how to deal with First Aid Emergencies. It is not intended as a substitute for a full First Aid Response Course. 

AMRIC Hand Hygiene (HSELand)

Effective hand Hygiene is the single most effective thing that you can do to protect the people you care for and yourself from healthcare acquired infections. HCAI’s. But knowing is not enough – it’s important to apply what you have learnt and believe that it can be done. By the end of this course, you should know: Why hand hygiene is important:

– When to practice hand hygiene.
– How to perform hand hygiene in line with the WHO 5 Moments.
– How to take care of your hands.

AMRIC Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) (HSELand)

This course on Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) will enable and empower you to make an assessment on the selection of PPE for a task and to put on and remove PPE correctly. By the end of the course, you will be able to: Identify why you need to wear PPE and where you need to wear it.

– Recognise the appropriate PPE to wear to protect the body, face and eyes, and hands in different situations.
– Put on and remove all PPE in acute and non-acute setting.
– Dispose of used PPE safely.
– Reflect on your own actions and behaviours in relation to PPE and infection prevention and control.

AMRIC Infection Prevention and Control (HSELand)

Practical programme which includes specific measures for prevention of infection in all healthcare facilities, how to identify hazards and carry out a well-informed risk assessment. How to control the sources and prevent onward transmission of infection.

Fire Safety

This course provides you with the skills and know ledge to provide fire safety both at home and at work. You will also learn how to extinguish as fire using fire extinguishers and fire blankets and to evacuate and help others should a fire occur.

Microsoft Outlook (online training)

This Microsoft Outlook workshop will give information on accessing your college email, Outlook layout, how to send and receive emails, attaching/downloading a file and reply options. It also covers organising your emails – folders etc. Outlook settings, signature, out-of-office reply, using the calendar, setting up meetings, setting up reminders and to do lists. A Certificate of Completion from Morrison’s Island Campus is issued on successful completion.

Mastering the professional phone conversation (online)

This workshop gives the learner the knowledge and skills when answering the telephone professionally in the workplace. Additionally, handling telephone complaints and ending calls is also covered. A Certificate of Completion is issued on completion.

WORK PLACEMENT/EXPERIENCE

Students will undertake four weeks (min 150 hours) of work placement in a GP practice, clinic or healthcare setting. Garda vetting is an integral part of the application procedure for this course. The college follows the National Immunisation Advisory Committee’s (NIAC) Immunisation Guidelines for Ireland which states that healthcare students should, as a minimum, receive or have received completed courses of immunisations for:

Hepatitis B (minimum 2 doses),
Influenza
Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR 2 doses)
Varicella (Chicken Pox) (1 or in some cases 2 doses).

Some placements may have additional vaccination requirements e.g. Covid-19.

Work placement is a highly valued component of the student experience here at the college. An excellent opportunity for you to gain insight into the world of work. Students are encouraged to source their own Work Placement but you will be supported by the Work Placement team should you need assistance to do this.