Most commonly reported Work Activities

•   Assisting and Caring for Others Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
•   Getting Information Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
•   Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
•   Documenting/Recording Information Entering, recording, storing, or maintaining information in written or electronic/magnetic form.
•   Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events Identifying information by categorising, estimating, recognising differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
•   Handling and Moving Objects Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
•   Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
•   Evaluating Information to Determine Compliance with Standards Using relevant information and individual judgment to determine whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
•   Monitor Processes, Materials, or Surroundings Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
•   Organising, Planning, and Prioritising Work Developing specific goals and plans to prioritise, organise, and accomplish your work.

Working Life

The exact type of care that assistants provide depends on the age, ability, health and level of self-sufficiency of the people they work with. They help those who need help and support with everyday tasks. A care worker is there to help these people to get on with life by doing the chores for them and basic day-to-day tasks.  
 
For example, in day centres, the main part of a care assistant's role may be to plan and supervise social activities. In residential homes for the elderly, some residents can be very frail, ill or confused. Here, basic care could mean enabling someone to wash or have a bath, dress, eat, take medication, go the toilet and get around generally. Care assistants may be responsible for routine medical tasks like applying cream or changing dressings under the supervision of a qualified nurse  
 
Wherever they work, care assistants try to help people to keep as much independence and quality of life as they can. As far as possible, this means they enable people to do personal and social tasks, rather than doing the tasks for them. Care assistants therefore help many people to keep their self-sufficiency and sense of dignity.  
 
Social care is very important, and it is essential that care assistants develop friendly, caring and trusting relationships with the people they work with. They talk to people, listen to their memories, and reassure them if they are anxious or confused. They may help people to make friends or keep in touch with their families. Planning and supervising social and recreational activities and trips is an important part of some assistants' work.  
 
Care assistants must be aware of any changes in an individual's physical or mental health, such as pain, loss of mobility, depression or anxiety. They must see illness as something that needs investigation, rather than a natural consequence of old age. In a residential home or day centre, care assistants report their observations to a care officer, warden or duty officer in charge.  
 
In hospitals, homes and day centres, care assistants are responsible for the health and safety of staff and residents. They look out for, prevent or report hasards including slippery floors, poor lighting, loose carpets and handrails, and unsafe electrical appliances.  
 
A care assistant may work alongside professionals such as doctors, nurses, social workers and therapists. They can be found in nursing homes, day care centres and hospitals and may do house visits.

Most commonly reported Work Tasks

• Maintain records of patient care, condition, progress, or problems to report and discuss observations with supervisor or case manager.
• Provide patients with help moving in and out of beds, baths, wheelchairs, or automobiles and with dressing and grooming.
• Bathe patients.
• Care for patients by changing bed linens, washing and ironing laundry, cleaning, or assisting with their personal care.
• Entertain, converse with, or read aloud to patients to keep them mentally healthy and alert.
• Plan, purchase, prepare, or serve meals to patients or other family members, according to prescribed diets.
• Check patients' pulse, temperature, and respiration.
• Provide patients and families with emotional support and instruction in areas such as caring for infants, preparing healthy meals, living independently, or adapting to disability or illness.
• Perform a variety of duties as requested by client, such as obtaining household supplies or running errands.
• Direct patients in simple prescribed exercises or in the use of braces or artificial limbs.

Further Information

• Care Home Advocate- from: N.C.S. [UK]
• Emergency Care Assistant- from: N.C.S. [UK]

This occupation is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests:

 Social

The Social person's interests focus on interacting with the people in their environment. In all cases, the Social person enjoys the personal contact with other people in preference to the impersonal dealings with things, data and ideas found in other groups.

Many will seek out positions where there is direct contact with the public in some advisory role, whether a receptionist or a counsellor. Social people are motivated by an interest in different types of people and like diversity in their work environments. Many are drawn towards careers in the caring professions and social welfare area, whilst others prefer teaching and other 'informing' roles.

 Realist

Realists are usually interested in 'things' - such as buildings, mechanics, equipment, tools, electronics etc. Their primary focus is dealing with these - as in building, fixing, operating or designing them. Involvement in these areas leads to high manual skills, or a fine aptitude for practical design - as found in the various forms of engineering.

Realists like to find practical solutions to problems using tools, technology and skilled work. Realists usually prefer to be active in their work environment, often do most of their work alone, and enjoy taking decisive action with a minimum amount of discussion and paperwork.

 Administrative

Administrative people are interested in work that offers security and a sense of being part of a larger process. They may be at their most productive under supervisors who give clear guidelines and while performing routine tasks in a methodical and reliable way.

They tend to enjoy clerical and most forms of office work, where they perform essential administrative duties. They often form the backbone of large and small organisations alike. They may enjoy being in charge of office filing systems, and using computers and other office equipment to keep things running smoothly. They usually like routine work hours and prefer comfortable indoor workplaces.

Care assistants are usually over 18 years old. Qualifications at NFQ level 5 are needed for entry, many employers prefer applicants with relevant experience and training in a care environment.  

There are a number of relevant PLC awards, these include

• QQI Health Service Skills
• QQI Community Health Services
• QQI Healthcare Support
• QQI Care Skills
• QQI Care of the Older Person

From 2023 Social Care Workers will be required to register with CORU.

It is a good idea to undertake voluntary or paid work in any caring capacity to assess one's suitability before applying.

Sample Education and Training Pathways
A number of courses are available throughout the country that focus on learning and skills that may be useful for this career. The examples and links below may guide you in your research. 

Further Education (FET)
Further Education & Training (FET) Courses are delivered by local ETBs, ranging in duration from several weeks up to 20 months. Courses are designed to meet the labour market needs and often include a large element of work experience.

Example search terms include: care assistant, health care assistant, social care.

Search for FET Courses

PLC Courses (FET)
PLC courses are full-time courses, one or two years duration, with awards at Level 5 and 6 on the NFQ. They are offered nationally in Schools and Colleges of Further Education.

Example search terms include: care assistant, health care assistant, social care.

Search for PLC Courses

Apprenticeships: 
Apprenticeships are structured work-based training programs that combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. They run from 2 – 4 years and are open to individuals of all ages, including school leavers, those seeking a career change, and existing employees who wish to upskill.

Examples: Advanced Healthcare Professional.

Search for Apprenticeships

Higher Education CAO (Undergraduate) 
Higher Education courses at Levels 6 to 8 on the NFQ, delivered in Universities and Technological Universities & Institutes. Courses run from 2 – 5 years and places are allocated on a points-based system, processed by the Central Application Office.

Example search terms include: applied care, social care.

Search for CAO Courses

Salary Range (thousands per year)* €28k - €36k

Salaries vary by employer, location, experience, and duties.

Data Source(s):
HSE/ Excel/ Indeed

Last Updated: February, 2024

This occupation has been identified as a Job in Demand by the most recent National Skills Bulletin.

Note: The following information relates to occupations that include: Houseparents; residential wardens; care workers; home carers; senior care workers; care support and escorters.

This information has been derived from the Solas National Skills Bulletin (2023).

Although the annual average employment growth rate for this occupation was below average, employment has been growing since 2020. Those employed in this occupation are primarily female, a high share are employed in part-time roles (41%), and more than a quarter are aged 55 years or older. Recent job hires in 2022 exceeded employment growth indicating a level of job churn. There was a large volume of vacancies advertised through DSP and over 200 new employment permits were issued in 2022; in addition, in December 2022, a quota of 1,000 general employment permits was announced for carers and home carers.

The high number of persons employed in this occupation, and the older age profile, indicates that replacement demand alone will create a high number of job opportunities for these roles; the increased demand for these services with our ageing demographics suggest that shortages are likely to continue in the short-medium term at least. Issues with the attractiveness of the job and job churn are further exacerbating the shortage.

• Health Service Executive (HSE)

  • Dr Steevens' Hospital, Steevens Lane, Dublin, 8
  • 041 685 0300
  • Click Here

• CORU - Regulating Health & Social Care Professionals

  • Infinity Building, George’s Court, George’s Lane, Smithfield, Dublin 7, D07 E98Y
  • (01) 293 3160
  • [email protected]/ [email protected]/ [email protected]
  • Click Here