Course Summary
Course Category: PLC (Further Education - FET) - Apply directly to College
The Occupational Therapy Assistant (Health Service Skills) course is designed to equip the learner with the opportunity of obtaining a Major QQI Level 5 Award in Health Service Skills 5M3782. This course aims to equip the learner with the necessary skills required to progress on to potential employment as an Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) or as a Health Care Assistant.
An Occupational Therapy Assistant (OTA) works alongside the Occupational Therapist (OT) in developing and providing holistic, client-centered treatment plans to service users in a wide range of settings such as rehab, mental health, paediatrics or geriatrics. An important team member, they 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). Under the direction and supervision of the OT, some duties of the OTA include facilitating therapeutic interventions for e.g. guiding service users in how to use assistive equipment that can make daily activities easier for them and enhance their quality of life. 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.
Course Details
This course prepares you for working in the following Career Sectors:
What will you study?
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Anatomy and Physiology
Occupational Therapy Assistant Practice
Occupational Therapy Assistant Theory
Care Support
Infection Prevention and Control
Intellectual disability studies
Body Massage and Figure Analysis
Communications
Care of the Older Person
Work Experience
Important
- Colleges may add/remove modules to keep the course updated and to meet demands.
- Almost all PLC courses have a Work Experience module, which requires students to find their own placement in an area directly related to their course.
Progression to CAO Courses
Higher Education Links Scheme (HELS)
This course leads to a QQI Major Award, and provides progression opportunities to a number of Higher Education courses, including those in the CAO.
To view CAO courses to which this award provides a possible progression route, click below:
| QQI Code |
| 5M3782 |
To calculate Points based on your QQI award results, use the PLC Points Calculator.
The Student - Career Interests
This course 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.
Further Research
National Statistics for this Award (All Ireland)
The following data provides general information about this Award from colleges across Ireland.
Disclaimer: These links are to web sites outside of CareersPortal and we accept no responsibility for the information on them.
Career Progression
Successful graduates can gain employment as Occupational Therapy Assistant in the HSE or private health service providers.