THE health care professions exercise a powerful attraction on the minds of many school leavers, particularly girls. The old stereotype of the woman carrying out the caring role in society is perpetuated by school leavers each year.
It is unlikely this year will be any different. Surely there must be more than a handful of boys out there who are willing to break the mould?
Of course, it's not quite as easy as all that. Most health care courses have a limited number of places available - it's not easy to secure a place. Points are usually extremely high.
For instance, at degree level last year, there were some 810 first preference applicants for 64 places in physiotherapy - a ratio of almost 13 applicants for every place.
At cert and diploma level there were 133 places in the health care area and 4,200 people placed these courses at the top of their list. This means that at least 22 people were competing for each place.
Of course, the points levels for the various courses move up or down slightly each year but what has remained constant is the overwhelming desire of many school leavers to enter the health care area. So, it is unlikely that the points will drop substantially in the foreseeable future.
This is not good news for all those aspiring physiotherapists, medical lab scientists, radiographers, pharmacists, dieticians, optometrists, occupational therapists and speech therapists. On the plus side, the number of places on paramedical courses is usually limited by the projected employment available, which should give graduates a reasonable chance of employment. However, in most cases this employment will be of a temporary or contract nature for the first few years.
Radiography:
Only two radiography courses are offered in the Republic.
Trinity College offers a four year course in therapeutic radiography, which is one of the main methods used to treat cancer patients. The job requires a knowledge of high tech equipment and treatment methods. The radiographer is also the main contact person for the patient during treatment, so you must have good communication skills.
Radiography can be both physically and mentally demanding so prospective therapeutic radiographers are advised by Trinity to visit a radiography department before they make a final decision. Trinity reports a shortage of therapeutic radiographers worldwide and graduates in recent years have had no difficulty finding employment.
Not all graduates will work as professional radiographers. They may decide to go in to research and development, medical technology or marketing of medical products.
The four year course in UCD qualifies graduates to work as diagnostic radiographers. This is also a high tech area which includes ultrasound and radionuclides as well as the more obvious X rays. Again, students are advised to visit a radiography department before they list it as one of their choices. Leaving Cert physics would be a decided advantage.
Last year the cut off for the TCD course was 510 points, while 525 points were needed for UCD's course. There are only to places in TCD's course and 20 in UCD, so points are likely to remain on the difficult side of 500.
Physiotherapy
This is another hugely popular option with limited places. Between UCD and Trinity, the two colleges offering courses, there are only between 60 and 80 places available each year. Physiotherapy involves treating patients of all ages with a range of conditions and illnesses so you must be prepared to deal with people day in, day out. Some of the techniques used by physiotherapists include manipulative procedures, exercise and a variety of electrical treatments.
Graduates may find work at home or abroad, particularly in the US. Most graduates will begin their career working with health boards and voluntary or private hospitals or clinics. Most of these jobs, initially, are short term contracts. After gaining some experience, there is the possibility of setting up in private practice.
Dietetics and Human Nutrition:
There is no unemployment among graduates of the human nutrition degree offered conjointly by DIT Kevin Street and Trinity. A survey of the past 10 years' graduates carried out by Mary Moloney, course tutor at DIT, shows that 56 per cent are employed in the traditional clinical and community area; 17 per cent are in the academic area (teaching or pursuing postgraduate research); 16 per cent are working in the pharmaceutical and food industries and remaining 11 per cent are dispersed among various other areas.
Some students will end up working as scientists and nutritionists while others will counsel people on a one to one basis. Communications is an important component of the course.
Again, the points are high - a cut off of 485* last year. Each year the college has between 20 and 25 places. It is still predominantly a female preserve. Of this year's final year students, only two are men.
Clinical speech and language studies (Speech therapy):
A good chance of employment in Ireland or the UK awaits graduates of TCD's course in clinical speech and language studies. As a speech therapist, you will help identify communication disorders and provide therapy for people with these disorders. As might be expected, there is a strong clinical content in the course and students participate in clinics in Ireland and elsewhere. There are only 26 places - on the course and last year the cut off was 495 points. Admission procedures involve an interview. Good communication skills are obviously a must.
Pharmacy
There were 20 additional places in pharmacy in TCD last year bringing the number of first a year places in the country to 70, with TCD providing the only course. The additional places led to a slight drop in points last year, to a cut off of a mere 540* (yes, most pharmacists are almost geniuses, if the points rating is any criterion). There is a very strong demand for pharmacy, graduates with opportunities in community pharmacies (chemists to you and me) and hospitals, as well in Ireland's pharmaceutical and chemical industry.
Medical lab sciences
If you look up med lab sciences in the CAO handbook, you'll find it listed as a certificate course. In effect, it is a five year programme leading to a degree. No fewer than 99 per cent of students progress directly from the three year certificate to study for the degree. From next year, the certificate will no longer be accepted by the Department of Health for entry to hospital labs under its ambit. A degree will be the minimum requirement.
As the Department of Health is a major employer of med lab scientists, the degree is a must for, new entrants. So, think in terms of five years of study. Each of the, three colleges offering the cert - DIT Kevin St, Cork RTC and Galway RTC - take in about 20 students each year. Most graduates will end up working in hospital or blood bank labs but, since the advent of the degree, an increased number go to further study and there are also job opportunities in areas such as pharmaceutical and food industry labs.
As you will be working in a lab the opportunities for patient contact are quite limited - this is not the job for you if you want to work with patients on a day to day basis.
The points for DIT Kevin Street and Cork RTC were 445 while Galway RTC registered a cut off of 435. Galway RTC does not offer the add on degree facility but students may, with no disadvantage, apply to either DIT Kevin Street or Cork RTC to continue their studies.
As with most other paramedical areas, your first job will most likely be a short term contract.
Optometry (optician)
The four year diploma in optometry offered by DIT Kevin Street provides the only education and training needed to qualify as a professional optometrist (the older term optician is probably more familiar to most people). The course includes six months supervised practice in fourth year. There are excellent job prospects but, again, the problem is getting the entrance points - 485 would have sufficed last year.
Occupational therapy
There are limited job opportunities in Ireland but graduates of TCD's four year degree are actively sought by agencies in the UK and the US. There are 30 places available each year and it's the old story points are very high. Last year, you would have needed 490 points in the Leaving Cert to secure a place.
Open days:
Whether you're a school leaver or a mature applicant, it's a good idea to take time out to visit any colleges which are holding open days as you will have a chance to wander around the campus, meet members of staff and students, and find the answers to those burning questions.
Cork RTC is holding an open day for anyone considering a career in engineering on Wednesday, January 22nd. Courses include chemical and process engineering, electronic engineering, mechanical engineering and structural engineering.
Also on January 22nd, the Castlebar campus of Galway RTC will hold an open afternoon and evening. From 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., Leaving Cert students only 6.30 p.m. to 9.00 p.m. all are welcome. Castlebar campus provides courses in business studies, construction studies, computing, electronic engineering, heritage studies, outdoor education, and tourism and languages.
And that same afternoon the musically inclined might consider a visit to the Royal Irish Academy of Music in Dublin for its first open day (2.30 p.m. to 5.30 p.m.) for second level music students interested in studying for the BA in music performance (validated by DCU), the access course or the diploma in music.
TCD is also holding an open day for music applicants, between 11.30 a.m and 4.30 pm. on Wednesday, so you should try and make both options if possible.
And don't forget DCU's open evening for mature students, coming up on March 19th.