The Alliance of Health Care Assistants (AHCAI) came into being in 2015 and hopes to change the status quo for this discipline.  We are a membership organisation for healthcare assistants founded by a small group of healthcare assistant, and laypeople who valued the care they received when family members were in need.   Healthcare assistants make up 50% of the board of directors and 50% of the executive council. The AHCAI are working to raise the profile of the Healthcare Assistant and create a career path.  We are seeking registration/regulation for this discipline, so it can stand shoulder to shoulder in recognition and respect with other disciplines in the healthcare sector.   AHCAI represents Healthcare Assistants in all sectors of the service.  It is a not-for-profit company and registered charity.

AHCAI is involved with an industry led consortium of private healthcare providers and Griffith College the coordinating provider, in preparing a two-year apprenticeship program at Higher Certificate level 6, for healthcare assistants. It is an industry led apprenticeship during which healthcare assistants will acquire a greater knowledge of health and illness, work autonomously and become competent in a range of clinical and social care skills to assist the registered nurse.  The proposal was accepted by the Apprenticeship Council and announced, alongside twenty or so other apprenticeships, by the Minister for Education Richard Bruton on 8^th December 2017.  The course will begin early in 2020. 

The next step in the process is to seek regulation for this higher-grade of healthcare assistant so that they will have a national scope and code of practice and ethics.  The higher-grade healthcare assistants will be responsible for their own practice.  All this is coming about in consultation with healthcare assistants rather than having decisions made about them without them.

Looking into the future AHCAI intends to seek a national standard of training and registration for existing level 5 qualified healthcare assistants and regulation for higher certificate healthcare assistant.  This in fact, is creating a career path for the discipline.  It is intended that this discipline will become attractive to school leavers choosing their future career.

When Healthcare assistants were first employed in numbers, they were distinguished from home helps by the fact that their duties were ‘hands on’ tasks for the care recipient, showering, dressing, feeding etc., while home helps carried out domestic tasks, cooking, cleaning, shopping. The work has become blended in the past ten years.  Healthcare assistants are, in some cases, being offered multitask contracts, where they can be requested to work with the care recipient or carry out housekeeping tasks.  This practice is not ideal as it can lead to poor infection prevention and control

AHCAI keeps Healthcare Assistants informed through Facebook and Twitter.  We offer free CPD courses on the members section of the website for which a certificate of course completion is issued.  Our first conference was held in Dublin last February and our second conference will be held in the Kingsley Hotel, Cork City in February 2020.  Tickets will cost €10. and will be available from Eventbrite at a later date.  The theme will be Working to Build a Better Future for Healthcare Assistants

The Alliance aims to be the voice of the healthcare assistant, uniting them and assisting them in forming a career path, raising their status through training and regulation/registration and having them recognised as a valued discipline in the health service. 

Visit our web site www.ahcai.ie and give us your support to continue to grow and develop the healthcare assistant discipline.  Application for membership can be made through the website, our membership fee is €15.00 for the year.

Though global healthcare recruitment can be a complicated procedure, understanding the specific challenges and requirements will help you attract and attain the talent you need. In this article, we’ll talk you through some of the main challenges of recruiting international healthcare professionals.

Understand right to work legislation

When recruiting staff from other countries, you’ll need to make sure that candidates are legally able to work in Ireland.

International workers will be required to have a permit to work in Ireland, but there’s plenty of other preparation they’ll need to do before embarking on their new role at your healthcare organisation. This includes:

Candidate Certificate – This must be applied for an International Nurse who receives a decision letter from NMBI to complete either the RCSI exam or Clinical Adaptation.NMBI issue the candidate certificates.

Atypical Visa – this must be applied for the International Nurse to gain legal entry into Ireland. This is applied through the Atypical visa office directly.

Entry Visa – This must be applied for in the International nurse’s own country to allow them to exit their own country legally and travel to Ireland.They do this by applying to their own immigration office.

Applying for permission to stay

Once your Nurse is in Ireland, they’ll need to apply for permission to stay, and register with immigration.

There are several different employments permits an International Nurse can apply for;

Stamp 0

Stamp 0 indicates permission to stay in Ireland for a temporary period, subject to conditions.

• You must be of independent means, ie fully financially self-sufficient. Alternatively, your sponsor in Ireland must be of independent means and can support you fully.
• You cannot receive any benefits or use publicly funded services, eg be treated at a public hospital. You must have private medical insurance.
• You must not work or engage in any business, trade or profession unless specified in a letter of permission from INIS.

You may be given Stamp 0 if you have permission to:

• Retire to or live in Ireland as a person of independent means
• Be a visiting academic at an Irish university or college
• Live in Ireland as the elderly, dependent relative of a non-EU/EEA or Swiss citizen
• Extend a short term visit here due to exceptional humanitarian circumstances
• Work here for an overseas company to carry out a specific task for a limited time

Other

• Register or renew
• Register for the first time or renew based on Stamp 0

Stamp 1

Stamp 1 indicates permission to work or operate a business in Ireland, subject to conditions. Stamp 1 is reckonable as residence when applying for citizenship by naturalisation.

• You must not start a job or enter employment unless you or your employer has obtained an employment permit for you.
• If you do not have an employment permit you must not engage in any business, trade or profession unless specified in a letter of permission from INIS.
• If you wish to stay in Ireland past the expiry date of your immigration permission, you must apply to renew your permission and registration before they expire.

You may be given Stamp 1 if you have permission to:

• Work here based on an employment permit
• Operate a business here
• Work here based on a Working Holiday Authorisation

Other

• Register or renew
• Register for the first time or renew based on Stamp 1

Stamp 1A

Stamp 1A indicates permission in full time, paid accountancy training (in compliance with the immigration rules or regulated by the IAASA and with a training contract with a company based in Ireland) for a specified period, subject to conditions.

• You must not engage in any other business, trade or profession unless specified in a letter of permission from INIS.
• If you wish to stay in Ireland past the expiry date of your immigration permission, you must apply to renew your permission and registration before they expire.

You may be given Stamp 1A if you have permission to:

• Study accountancy as a trainee & be employed as a trainee accountant
• Register or renew
• Register for the first time or renew based on Stamp 1A

Stamp 1G

Graduate Student who currently holds a Stamp 2 or 2A permission

Stamp 1G indicates you have finished your studies in Ireland and have permission to look for employment here under the Third Level Graduate Programme, subject to conditions.

• You can work full time in accordance with employment law provisions but are not permitted to operate a business or be self-employed.
• If you wish to continue working after Stamp 1G expires, you must find a job that requires an employment permit and then follow the usual application process.

While on a Stamp 1G, your other permissions and conditions remain the same as for Stamp 2/2A.

• You may be given Stamp 1G if you have permission to:
• Look for work as part of the Third Level Graduate Programme

  Spouse/de facto partner of a Critical Skills Employment Permit holder or a Spouse/de facto partner of Researchers in the State on Hosting Agreements

From the 6 March 2019 the Stamp 1G will also provide for the change in policy to both visa and non-visa required non-EEA nationals, who are Spouses and de facto partners of persons who are currently resident in this State, on Stamp 3 conditions, as the family member of a person resident in the State on the basis of a Critical Skills Employment Permit or a Researcher in the State on a Hosting Agreement.

The requirement to obtain a DPSEP has been removed for this group by DBEI. INIS will grant eligible de facto partners of CSEP holders and researchers on a Hosting Agreement permission, to reside in this State on Stamp 1G Conditions without the need to obtain a DPSEP from DBEI. This will allow access to the labour market without an Employment Permit.

Summary of employment conditions for spouses and de facto partners of CSEP holders and researchers on a Hosting Agreement permission

Permitted to work in the State without the requirement to obtain a work permit

Not permitted to establish or operate a Business

Not permitted to be Self- Employed

Renewal of the Stamp 1G registration should be applied for annually, and after 5years on a Stamp 1G, you may apply for a Stamp 4

Periods spent on Stamp 1G are considered as reckonable residence for the purpose of making an application for Citizenship/Naturalisation

Stamp 2

Stamp 2 indicates permission to study a full time course on the official Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP) for a specified period, subject to conditions. Stamp 2 is not reckonable as residence when applying for citizenship by naturalisation.

• You cannot receive any benefits or use publicly funded services (eg public hospitals) unless you have an entitlement via other means.
• You can work in casual employment for a maximum of 20 hours per week during school term and 40 hours per week during holidays. You must not engage in any other business or trade.

• If you wish to stay in Ireland past the expiry date of your immigration permission, you must apply to renew your permission and registration before they expire.

You may be given Stamp 2 if you have permission to study the following:

• English language
• Higher national diploma
• Degree (undergraduate)
• Master’s degree (postgraduate)
• PhD
• Other
• Register or renew
• Register for the first time or renew based on Stamp 2

Stamp 2A

Stamp 2A indicates permission for full time study in Ireland for a course that is not on the official Interim List of Eligible Programmes (ILEP), for a specified period. Stamp 2A is not reckonable as residence when applying for citizenship by naturalisation.

• You cannot receive any benefits or use publicly funded services, eg public hospitals. You must have private medical insurance.
• You must not work or engage in any business, trade or profession.
• If you wish to stay in Ireland past the expiry date of your immigration permission, you must apply to renew your permission and registration before they expire.

You may be given Stamp 2A in the following circumstances:

• Semester abroad (ie at an Irish university/college)
• Study at a private secondary school in Ireland
• Register or renew
• Register for the first time or renew based on Stamp 2A

Stamp 3

Stamp 3 indicates permission to stay in Ireland for a specified period, subject to conditions. Stamp 3 is reckonable as residence when applying for citizenship by naturalisation.

• You cannot work or engage in any business, trade or profession.
• If you wish to stay in Ireland past the expiry date of your immigration permission, you must apply to renew your permission and registration before they expire.

You may be given Stamp 3 if you have permission to:

• Volunteer, eg with a charity or non-profit
• Be a minister of religion
• Join your non-EEA/EU/Swiss spouse/civil partner or family member who is here based on a work permit

Other

• Register or renew
• Register for the first time or renew based on Stamp 3

Stamp 4

Stamp 4 indicates permission to stay in Ireland for a specified period, subject to conditions. Stamp 4 is reckonable as residence when applying for citizenship by naturalisation.

• You can take up employment and are not required to hold an Employment Permit.
• You can work in a profession, subject to conditions of the relevant professional or other bodies.
• You can establish and operate a business.
• You may access state funds and services as determined by Government departments or agencies.

If you wish to stay in Ireland past the expiry date of your immigration permission, you must apply to renew your permission and registration before they expire.

You may be given Stamp 4 if you have had permission to work in Ireland:

• With a valid Critical Skills employment permit for 2 years
• With a valid employment permit for 5 years
• As a researcher (ie with a valid Hosting Agreement) for 2 years

You may be given Stamp 4 if you are granted permission:

• To join your Irish spouse, civil partner or de-facto partner
• To join your EU/EEA or Swiss family member based on EU Treaty Rights
• To join a family member who has immigration permission based on Stamp 4EUFAM (ie EU Treaty Rights)
• To join your family member who is a recognised refugee or has been granted subsidiary protection
• To remain with your child who is an Irish citizen
• Under the Investor and Entrepreneur Programme (including spouse/partner & family)
• For Long Term Residence
• As a convention or programme refugee, or based on subsidiary protection
• Register or renew
• Register for the first time or renew based on Stamp 4

Stamp 5

Stamp 5 indicates permission to stay in Ireland without limits on the time you can remain here, subject to other conditions. Stamp 5 is reckonable as residence when applying for citizenship by naturalisation.

The stamp will be valid up to the expiry date on your passport.

You may be given Stamp 5 if you have permission to:

• Remain in Ireland ‘Without condition as to time’ (WCATT)

Stamp 6

Stamp 6 indicates you are an Irish citizen with dual-citizenship.

• You may be given Stamp 6 in your non-Irish passport if you have applied for permission to:
• Remain in Ireland ‘Without condition’

When you offer a job to an international candidate, it’s your duty to make them aware of these procedures before they accept the offer.

There are some exceptions to these rules, so make sure you’re aware of them during the recruitment process.

It’s also important to remember that recruiting staff from abroad may take more time than employing from Ireland. Candidates need to apply for a visa three months before travelling, and there may be additional time needed to prepare documents such as Employment Permits to support their application.

Know your international registration bodies

Registration bodies are important in making sure that health professionals are trained appropriately and deemed competent and fit to practice.

Despite these challenges, recruiting employees from other countries can be very rewarding and bring important skills and talent to your healthcare business. If you ensure you understand the process of recruiting international candidates, you’ll soon be hiring some fantastic assets to your team.  

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Article Written By:
Alan Hickley & Aileen McCann

My 10 Year Journey With Servisource Recruitment

Most people don’t set out to become recruiters. Anyone in recruitment will tell you that somehow, we just happen to ‘fall’ into the profession.  I know I sure did, when growing up I always wanted to be a Vet 😊

From The Start!!

I started off working for a recruitment company temping in various roles as a secretary within hospitals, clinics etc.   I was then taken on as a Recruitment Consultant for the company. I didn’t know what to expect, could I handle the stress and pressure that came with my new career?  The role was fast paced with people moving from one role to another, clients ringing in needing candidates immediately.  Candidates also ringing at the last minute, telling me they couldn’t go to work and letting my client and I down at the last minute.  This by no means was an easy job, but strangely I was enjoying it.

I left this role after 2 years feeling the need to explore new avenues.  I moved into Retail and then onto becoming a Travel Agent.  I knew at this point that I enjoyed helping people with their dreams and sales was something that came naturally to me.  Our company was bought over, which led to new management, new rules and new everything.  All of a sudden, the job wasn’t enjoyable any longer. It was all about targets not people.  So I left…………

The Interview!!

I saw an advertisement in the paper the following day-the position of a Recruitment Consultant in Dundalk. I thought, this is it, I need to go back and give recruitment another go.  I applied for the job, got an interview a few days later.  The interview was an experience I will never forget.  You know when you are asked at an interview, ‘Where would you like to see yourself in 5 years time?’, my response was, ‘do you want to hear what I should say or the truth’.  Both managers seemed intrigued, so of course they asked for me to tell the truth. I began telling my story of how I want to be running, owning and managing my own dog and cat rescue centre.  Not the best of answers to give what could be your future employer.   I cringed thinking to myself what have I just done and there goes that idea of being part of this company.  To my own disbelief, later that evening I received a call to say I was successful and could start on Monday.  I was delighted, that’s where it all began. What I didn’t realise, was this would be my 10 year journey with Servisource Recruitment.

My New Venture Began!!

My new role was a Recruitment Consultant for the Healthcare Division. When I say I didn’t really know anything about Healthcare and the roles within it, this was an understatement.  I had to study all the terminology as basic as what a RGN, DON were to what a Peg feed was, but I was adamant that I wasn’t going to let this beat me.  After a few weeks, I soon settled in getting to know the terminology, chatting to the clients, placing my candidates, I knew from then that this is it, this is what I want to do.  I eventually found a role and a company I was happy in.

Our team back then was a lot smaller, it consisted of two people running the healthcare division, along with our Manager, 3 staff in payroll and HR, an office manager, 1 person in marketing, 4 in construction and our Managing Director.  We may have been a small team but we were a very happy and energetic team with passion and a true family feel.

Two years later the company was thriving, I had assisted my manager in setting up offices based in Cork, Galway and Dublin.  We had new divisions one of which I started for Catering and Domestic in hospitals.  New people were joining our team, I was promoted to Team Leader and the company was growing fast.  We developed the healthcare division so much that at this stage it was taking over other divisions thick and fast.

My clients and candidates were like friends to me and my colleagues were like family.  Servisource Recruitment always put people and their service first before profit which was one of our main reasons for becoming the successful company that we are today.

Opportunities were endless!!

In 2011, Servisource wanted to expand the company into Northern Ireland so I was given the opportunity to become Regional Manager in Belfast, this was an exciting and fresh challenge for me and I loved my new role.  We were getting jobs in for nurses across Northern Ireland and the UK. In 2012 I was selected as a finalist with the NRF (National Recruitment Federation) Awards for Top Recruiter in Ireland.  I felt a massive sense of pride and had my team and company behind me, supporting me all the way.   I remained as Manager in Northern Ireland for 2 years, but I felt that my time had come to try a new area within Servisource, as I had given the past 5-6 years to Healthcare.  In our Head Office back in Dundalk an opportunity arose for me to work as a Business Development Manager for the Temporary Division Team. This gave me the opportunity to throw myself into a new area and gave me the desired challenge I was seeking.

I began from scratch, getting to know the industry, the clients and the candidates.  Servisource always gave me plenty of training and support to aid me achieve success in my new division.   The division expanded and I got to know my candidates and clients needs and requirements.  When managing my own desk in the temporary division I identified a gap in the market for a permanent division desk within Supply Chain Management and one for Clerical.  I put a proposal forward to my CEO which he welcomed and encouraged me to pursue the opportunity.

Where I am now!!

To date my new role is Senior Consultant for the Permanent Division and I am loving it.  I oversee the recruitment needs for all my clients across Supply Chain Management and Clerical throughout Ireland.  Servisource has always been good that way, if you have a dream, passion or an innovative idea, they back you 100% to pursue it. They are true believers in giving you the best opportunity to develop internally and support you with training and marketing requirements in order for everyone to you achieve their goals.

Team Spirit!!

Our company today, still has some of its original staff from when I first started. Servisource now have offices nationwide and over 40 staff in our Dundalk Head Office.  What a difference this was to when I first started out.  Servisource has been a great support to me both personally and professionally.  This is the place where I grew up, made friends for life and have a massive Servisource family of support around me each day.  What I love most and the reason why I am here 10 years is down to the people that I work with.  There are days that you don’t be in the mood for chat or have issues at home and other stresses in your life. When you walk through those doors, you always have people that genuinely care for you and want to support you, a true, unique team spirit.

When starting on the beginning of my career journey, I always thought it was about how much money I could make or would I have to work over time or weekends.  As important as these factors are that everyone has to consider, I believe it is more important that you are happy in your work environment and have a great team behind you backing you all the way.  I have been very lucky to have that throughout my journey 😊

Servisource has taught me so much in my years here, to believe in and follow your dreams.  I have thoroughly enjoyed the highs and lows of working here this past 10 years and I hope to have another further 10 years to come with you all, what that may bring no one knows 😲

See here video of me describing my role with Servisource: https://servisource.wpengine.com/team-view/lisa-russell/ 

by Lisa Russell – Supply Chain Management Consultant