The Pre Nursing course is designed as programme of preparatory study to enter a degree programme in Nursing Studies. Students undertaking this course can also apply for training positions in General Nursing, Psychiatric Nursing, Intellectual Disability Nursing and Childrens Nursing.

This Health Service Skills certificate with an emphasis on physiotherapy assistant provides training for care assistants and physiotherapy assistants and equips them with the skills and knowledge to care for clients in a safe and hygienic environment. Students study human anatomy and physiology with an emphasis on the musculoskeletal system, they become familiar with common medical conditions and the main clinical features of these conditions.

This Health Service Skills certificate with an emphasis on Speech and Language assistant provides training for care assistants and Speech Therapy assistants and equips them with the skills and knowledge to care for clients in a safe and hygienic environment. You will gain a knowledge of varying roles of the speech and language therapy assistant in clinical practice and an awareness of ways to assist the speech & language therapist in the preparation and implementation of therapeutic programmes.

This Health Service Skills certificate with an emphasis on occupational therapy assistant provides training for care assistants and occupational therapy assistants and equips them with the skills and knowledge to care for clients in a safe and hygienic environment. Students gain a knowledge of the theory and principles of occupational therapy practice, and of the role of the occupational therapy assistant in the implementation of therapeutic programmes. Students learn about human occupation, growth and development and become familiar with the elements of activities of living. They develop the skills and techniques to assist a patient/client in the activities of living in order to enhance their quality of life. The Occupational Therapy Assistant also learns the basic principles of infection control and are taught to apply standard precautions in relation to infection control.

The Applied Social Studies course is designed to introduce students to the area of sociology and applied social studies, and to develop their understanding and awareness of social issues in their own lives and society in general. Students develop basic research skills and learn to recognise the complexity of social issues.

The Community Care Assistant course equips students with the skills and knowledge to care for patients in a safe and hygienic environment. You will learn about the roles and responsibilities of the Care Worker and acquire practical skills for work in caring environments. You will gain an understanding of the nursing process, appreciate the models of care and develop an awareness of nursing ethics and etiquette in care situations.

The Health Service Skills course prepares you for the caring role of Hospital Care Assistant. It equips you with the skills and knowledge to care for patients in a safe and hygienic environment. You will learn the basic principles of infection control and are taught to apply standard precautions in relation to infection control. An understanding of the ageing process and how to provide individualised holistic care for the older person is also covered.

The Youth Work course explores the theory, policy and practice of youth work equipping students with all the necessary practical skills and knowledge to make a difference in their community by offering help and guidance to underprivileged or disaffected youths.

The Community Development course is designed to introduce you to the key concepts of community development and community development practice. The course is aimed at community activists who are involved in community development or those who wish to enter this field.

The Pre Nursing course is designed as a programme of preparatory study to enter a degree course in Nursing Studies. Students undertaking this course can also apply for training positions in General Nursing, Psychiatric Nursing, Intellectual Disability Nursing and Children's Nursing.

This Health Service Skills Certificate with an emphasis on Physiotherapy Assistant provides training for care assistants and physiotherapy assistants and equips them with the skills and knowledge to care for clients in a safe and hygienic environment. Students study human anatomy and physiology with an emphasis on the musculoskeletal system, they become familiar with common medical conditions and the main clinical features of these conditions.

This Health Service Skills Certificate with an emphasis on Speech and Language Therapy provides training for Care Assistants and Speech Therapy assistants and equips them with the skills and knowledge to care for clients in a safe and hygienic environment. You will gain a knowledge of varying roles of the speech and language therapy assistant in clinical practice and an awareness of ways to assist the speech & language therapist in the preparation and implementation of therapeutic programmes.

The Health Care Services certificate with an emphasis on Occupational Therapy assistant provides training for Care Assistants and Occupational Therapy assistants and equips them with the skills and knowledge to care for clients in a safe and hygienic environment. Students gain a knowledge of the theory and principles of occupational therapy practice, and of the role of the occupational therapy assistant in the implementation of therapeutic programmes. Students learn about human occupation, growth and development and become familiar with the elements of activities of living. They develop the skills and techniques to assist a patient/client in the activities of living in order to enhance their quality of life. The Occupational Therapy Assistant also learns the basic principles of infection control and are taught to apply standard precautions in relation to infection control.

The FETAC Level 5 Component Certificate in Care Support (D20164) is designed to equip the learner with the skills and knowledge to work effectively in a care setting. This part time healthcar course aims to promote good practice and respect for diversity in lifestyle, religion and culture in care work.

The Patient Safety Programme delivers on all aspects of patient safety as outlined by the WHO (2010). The Dept of Health & Children, An Bord Altranais and Patient Safety First all require that the Patient Safety programme be incorporated into the undergraduate and postgraduate Nursing programmes delivered in Ireland. HIQA have also recommended that all persons involved in the delivery of care should undertake Patient Safety training.

This course deals with the care & management of the person with a Percutaneous Endoscopic Gastrostomy Tube (PEG) in Situ for Therapeutic Purposes.

The Oxygen & Nebuliser therapy and Oropharyngeal Suctioning course introduces the participant to the function of, indications for and rationale of using Oxygen Therapy and Suctioning in patient/client care and the fundamentals skills relating to the effective care and management of the patient/client during the delivery of Oxygen Therapy and Oropharyngeal Suctioning.

The Tracheostomy Tube care course introduces the participant to the function of, indications for and rationale of using Tracheostomy Tubes in patient/client care and the fundamentals skills relating to the effective care and management of the patient/client during Tracheostomy Tube care and maintenance.

The BIPAP course introduces the participant to the function of, indications for and rationale of using Non Invasive Ventilation in patient/client care and the fundamentals skills relating to the effective care and management of the patient/client during Non Invasive Ventilation such as BiPAP.

The Ostomy and Bowel Care Management course introduces the participant to the function of, indications for and rationale of Bowel care and Ostomy formation in patient/client care and the fundamentals skills relating to the effective care and management of the patient/client during Bowel and Ostomy Care.

The ECG (Electrocardiograph) Fundamentals course introduces the participant to the principles of ECG recording, the rational and indications for the use and process of accurately recording ECGs on patient/clients in their care. The course also facilitates the student to identify, interpret and analyse all elements of the normal and abnormal ECG and to effectively report their findings.

The Urinary Catheter Care course introduces the participant to the function of, indications for and rationale of using Indwelling Urinary Catheters in patient/client care and the fundamentals skills relating to the effective care and management of the patient/client during urinary catheterisation and its use and maintenance.

The Healthcare Support Distance Learning course is designed to prepare students to work competently, safely and effectively as a Healthcare Assistant in a variety of settings such as nursing homes, hospitals and home help support. The Healthcare Support course is structured to provide Graduates with a high standard of training and assessment leading to a recognised qualification for those pursuing a career in the Health Care Sector.

The Health Service Skills Distance Learning course is ideal for those employed, or seeking employment in the healthcare sector, and also provides an ideal stepping stone for those wishing to progress to further education in the health services. As outlined by HIQA* all newly recruited care staff and those in a role less than one year must commence training to FETAC Level 5 or equivalent within two years of taking up employment.

The Occupational First Aid course is suitable for parents, grandparents and babysitters and is ideal for anyone working in a professional childcare environment. The First Aid course is delivered over 3 full days and is recognised by the HSA and the PHECC (Pre Hospital Emergency Care Council). The course also covers paediatric first aid.

The Nutritional Advisor (Diet & Nutrition) course will teach you how to recognise a diet that consists of foods that are balanced in their growth, maintenance and repair of the living body without harmful excesses. You will gain a thorough understanding of the digestion system & the factors that interfere with digestion & dietary health and this will give you the knowledge to appreciate a healthy & well-balanced diet. The Nutritional Advisor (Diet & Nutrition) course is essentially designed if you just wish to gain a more indepth study of diet & nutrition or if you wish to complement a qualification in complimentary or sports therapy or for those working in the food industry.

The Manual Handling for Sport course is delivered over 1 day. To comply with current Health and Safety legislation, staff engaged in manual handling must be given training in safe lifting techniques. The manual Handling course will show you how to lift correctly and therefore avoid back injuries. By training how to lift safely you will avoid serious and long-term back injury. This course combines lecture methods with "hands-on" practical work with the use of various types of materials and apparatus.

Spring 2013 Open Days*

Sports and Health Programmes Open Days- Croke Park