Career guide · Care/Healthcare

Healthcare assistant.

Also known as Care worker, Home carer, Care assistant

Healthcare assistants and care workers support daily living, personal care and wellbeing for older people and people with additional needs in homes, residential care and community settings across Ireland.

What this role involves

Healthcare assistants, care workers and home carers support people with everyday living, personal care and wellbeing in residential care homes, community services and clients' own homes across Ireland. Typical duties include assisting with washing, dressing and mobility, helping with meals and medication reminders, recording observations, and providing companionship and social support. The role is central to Ireland's growing care sector and suits patient, reliable people who work well with vulnerable individuals and alongside nurses and family members.

When this role fits

Likely a fit when

  • your duties are daily care, home care or residential care support
  • you are patient and reliable working with vulnerable people

Likely not a fit when

  • your duties are registered clinical nursing tasks
  • you are seeking an office-based role

Official occupation classification

Roles like this usually map to the following SOC 2010 occupation code, which Ireland’s Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment uses on its occupation lists.

Employment permit route signal

General Employment Permit may be possible

This is an occupation-level signal only. The exact duties, salary, qualifications, employer and permit route decide the outcome.

Check an occupation permit signal Explore employment permits

This is an occupation-level signal only. It is not a determination of eligibility, sponsorship, or permit approval.

Typical skills and qualifications

Certifications

  • Manual handling certificate
  • Occupational first aid

Language

  • English (CEFR B2)

Transferable skills

  • Communication
  • Teamwork

Find licensed recruitment agencies

IrishTalents does not select or submit candidates and is not a licensed employment agency. The agency listings below reflect the wording found on agency websites only — not vacancies, sponsorship, or suitability.

Before you rely on a permit pathway

Depending on the exact duties, salary and employer, some roles in this area may be considered under Ireland's General Employment Permit or Critical Skills Employment Permit routes, while others may fall on the ineligible list. This is general information only, not immigration advice, and official eligibility depends on the current occupation lists and your individual circumstances.

Continue exploring

About this guide

IrishTalents provides this information for general guidance only. IrishTalents is not a licensed employment agency and does not select, submit, or place candidates. This page does not determine eligibility, sponsorship, or agency suitability.

Source: IrishTalents editorial content, aligned to the UK SOC 2010 occupation classification used by Ireland's Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.