Minimum Qualifications
Our carers must have the QQI Level 5 modules
- ‘Care Skills’ and
- ‘Care of the Older Person’
as a minimum standard. In fact, most of our staff have professional qualifications far above this minimum.
Many have higher qualifications such as L5 Healthcare, L5 Social Care, L5 Community Care, Nursing, Physiotherapy, Speech and Language Therapy, and Nutrition.
When qualifications do not have an Older Person focus, we work with staff to achieve the minimum standard QQI L5 modules.
In some cases, we hire people with minimum standard qualifications because they have excellent experience and references. We work with these carers to achieve the full QQI L5 Healthcare Award with our education partners.
Mandatory Training for Frontline Staff
Patient & Manual Handling
Our staff must have Patient & Manual Handling before they can start with clients. This is an essential health and safety part of Induction as some clients require assistance to mobilise – usually with the aid of a hoist.
Patient & Manual Handling is not just once-off learning. The Certificate must be renewed and staff do on-the-job learning with Occupational Therapists demonstrating the use of specific equipment.
Induction Programme
Our Induction Programme combines in-person, on-line and on-the-job elements. The aim is to equip our staff with the knowledge, skills and understanding to support their work in a wide range of client environments. Topics covered include:
- Services Provided / Services Not Provided
- Person Centred Care
- Personal Care
- Disability Awareness
- Safeguarding Older Persons & Children’s First
- Handling Money
- Infection Control
- Communication
- Supervision
- Ageing & Chronic Health Conditions
- Privacy & Dignity, Confidentiality
- Nutrition & Food Hygiene
- Management of Medicines
- Safety, Security, Key Holding
- Emergency & Incident Handling (Open Disclosure)
- Data Protection Policies
- Complaints Process
- Quality Assurance Arrangements
Continuous Learning and Development
Our staff must do mandatory on-line training on HSEland.ie. This learning covers topics such as Safeguarding, Infection Control, Dementia Care, Palliative Care and more. We check that certificates have been achieved and report on this to the HSE. This training keeps staff up-to-date and supports them with the different situations they face in their work.
For us, continuous learning is key to the development of our staff – it helps keep people motivated to deliver high quality service. We encourage staff to up-skill to other professional aspects of care work such as Supervision, Care Management or Office Administration because we promote from within to meet company requirements.
We Are Hiring!
If you’re interested in working for Applewood please our open positions by clicking the button below.