What employers want from a healthcare assistant in Swords
- QQI Level 5 in Healthcare Support (or relevant modules) where required
- Garda Vetting and a genuine, caring attitude
- Personal care skills delivered with dignity and respect
- Accurate record-keeping and following care plans
- Reliability, patience and calm under pressure
Skills to put on your Healthcare Assistant CV
Include the words below that you can honestly claim — they are exactly what an employer, and the automated screening tools (ATS) many use, look for. Never invent a skill or ticket you don't hold.
How to structure your Healthcare Assistant CV
Personal profile (2–3 lines)
Show warmth and reliability, and name your qualification and vetting status up front — it reassures the employer immediately.
- "Caring Healthcare Assistant with QQI Level 5 and Garda Vetting. Experienced in personal care and supporting people to live with dignity."
Key skills
Mix soft skills (compassion, patience) with concrete ones (personal care, care plans, manual handling) so both a person and a screening tool see the fit.
- Personal & continence care
- Following care plans
- Safe manual handling
- Record keeping
- Dementia / elderly care
Work experience
Describe who you cared for and how, not just tasks. If you've cared for a family member, that counts — say so honestly.
- Supported residents with washing, dressing and mobility while protecting their dignity
- Followed individual care plans and reported changes to the nurse on duty
- Kept accurate daily records of care and observations
Qualifications & vetting
List your QQI modules, First Aid, manual handling and Garda Vetting status with dates. These are often the pass/fail filter.
Certifications & tickets worth listing
List these with real dates only if you hold them — they are often the difference between a call-back and the reject pile.
- QQI Level 5 Healthcare Support (or individual modules)
- Garda Vetting
- Manual Handling & Patient Moving certificate
- Occupational First Aid
Common mistakes to avoid
- Not stating your Garda Vetting status — employers need to know early
- Listing tasks with no warmth — care employers hire for attitude first
- Forgetting to mention QQI Level 5 modules you've completed
- Overselling clinical duties you haven't actually done — never inflate care experience
Healthcare Assistant CV — frequently asked questions
Can I become a Healthcare Assistant without QQI Level 5?
Some employers will hire and train you while you complete modules, but most require at least two QQI Level 5 modules (often Care Skills and Care of the Older Person). List any modules you've done, and say if you're currently studying.
Does caring for a family member count as experience?
Yes — if it's genuine, include it. Describe the care you provided honestly (personal care, mobility, medication reminders). It shows real, transferable skill.
Do I need Garda Vetting on my CV?
You'll need it for the job. On the CV, simply state whether you're already vetted or willing to be vetted — it removes a barrier for the employer.