Understand what you are learning — and how it relates to QQI Level 5
Build confidence with essential healthcare knowledge connected to published Irish QQI Level 5 healthcare learning outcomes.
What is QQI Level 5 Healthcare Support?
Healthcare Support (5M4339) is a QQI Level 5 major award worth 120 credits. It includes required components and a selection of other components according to the award rules. Care Skills (5N2770) is one 15-credit minor award used within several healthcare-related major awards.
Our independent preparation materials introduce selected topics from these areas. They do not reproduce every provider's teaching materials or fulfil the practical assessment and credit requirements.
Explore the learning topics
The table below is a topic guide, not a claim of complete coverage. It shows relevant published QQI component areas and the introductory knowledge we aim to help learners practise.
| QQI component area | Relevant learning topics | What GovernedAI preparation offers |
|---|---|---|
| Care Skills5N2770 | Personal care, dignity and consent; physical, emotional and social needs; hygiene; pressure-injury prevention; care equipment; reporting concerns. | Introductions and knowledge checks; practical demonstrations require supervised training. |
| Care Support5N0758 | Person-centred support, care planning, teamwork, professional responsibilities and reflective practice. | Foundational concepts and scenarios; not a full component course. |
| Safety and Health at Work5N1794 | Hazard awareness, workplace safety, risk prevention and reporting. | Introductory safety knowledge; employer-specific training remains necessary. |
| Communications / Teamworking5N0690 / 5N1367 | Respectful communication, confidentiality, active listening and teamwork. | Practice scenarios, not a substitute for formal component assessments. |
| Work Experience / Work Practice5N1356 / 5N1433 | Preparing for placements, professionalism, observation and reflection. | Preparation guidance only; no placement or supervised hours provided. |
| Care of the Older Person5N2706 | Ageing, independence, dignity, wellbeing and recognising changes in needs. | Introductory revision, not a complete elective component. |
| Infection Prevention and Control5N3734 | Hand hygiene, standard precautions, environmental hygiene and escalation. | Conceptual revision; does not certify infection-control competence. |
What you can do next
- Explore the qualification requirements for the HCA jobs that interest you.
- Try the free readiness test to check introductory knowledge.
- Review your weaker topics using preparation lessons and explanations.
- Choose a recognised provider for QQI awards, supervised practical assessments and any required placement.
Official sources and learner guidance
- QQI: Healthcare Support 5M4339 award and component rules
- QQI: Care Skills 5N2770 official learning outcomes (PDF)
- QQI: Care Skills component register
Reference checked 22 October 2026. Course coverage is indicative and should be mapped against each published outcome before any claim of full alignment.
Independent preparation programme. Not a QQI-accredited qualification.