Occupational Therapy Assistant
(Health Service Skills)

INTRODUCTION:

This course provides a key opportunity for those who wish to work in healthcare environments with a specialism. An Occupational Therapy Assistant works, under supervision, in developing and providing client centred treatment plans to clients in a range of settings such as rehab, mental health, geriatrics or paediatric services. OTAs provide assistance to those who, as a result of a disability, illness or injury, require support in performing meaningful occupations or activities of daily living (ADLs). They assist in facilitating how to use assistive equipment that can make daily activities easier. Important administrative duties of the OTA include contributing to team meetings, documenting a patients treatment progress as well as maintaining office treatment areas, equipment, and supplies.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS:

• Leaving Certificate, LCA or QQI Level 4. 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 undergo a processing stage during which further information will be gathered in relation to their application.
• 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 through the college. 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 Health Service Skills (5M3782).
• QQI Component Maths (5N1833) – available as an option in the evening for learners needing Maths for progression.

COURSE CONTENT

ADDITIONAL TRAINING / WORKSHOPS

• 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.
• Children First E-Learning programme TUSLA – The Children First E-Learning programme has been written to support people of all backgrounds and experience in recognising concerns about children and reporting such concerns if they arise. The programmes include topics such as recognising and reporting child abuse, the role of mandated persons; the responsibilities of organisations working with children to safeguard children and the role of designated liaison person. When you have completed the programme, you will receive a certificate of completion directly to your email address from TUSLA.

WORK PLACEMENT / EXPERIENCE

Students will undertake four weeks (min 150 hours) of work placement in a hospital 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.

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.

EDUCATION PROGRESSION OPPORTUNITIES

Some of our popular progression opportunities include:

UCC

• CK102 Social Science L8.

MTU Cork

• MT573 Social Care Work
• MT910 Sport & Exercise Management.

MTU Kerry

• MT912 Health & Exercise Sciences with Massage Therapy.

SETU

• SE901 Sports Rehabilitation & Athletic Therapy (Carlow)
• SE928 Applied Health Care (Waterford).

Excellent progression opportunities to other Higher Education colleges. Special arrangements in place with MTU Cork (CCPS), MTU Kerry and SETU (Waterford & Carlow) for preferential entry for students of Morrison’s Island locations. Go to our progressions database for exact requirements on progressions for this course.

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

Successful graduates can gain employment as Occupational Therapy Assistant in the HSE or private health service providers.