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QQI Level 5 Course Code: 5M1997

Co-ordinator: Siobhan Hawkins

Aim of the Programme

To provide students with a comprehensive knowledge in medical terminology, legal practice and practical typing and audio secretarial skills required in the performance of a broad range of administrative, secretarial and organizational tasks. Excellent career opportunities and further education advancements for successful graduates.

Duration

The course runs for the full academic year from September to May. You attend college 4 days a week with one day for work placement in your chosen sector. The college has early closing on Thursdays and Fridays (Thursday at 3.10 pm and Friday at 2 pm).

Modules

Audio Transcription (dictation - 40 wpm) - 5N1549
Text Production (typing - 50 wpm) - 5N1422
Information and Administration - 5N1389
Legal Practice and Procedures - 5N1394
Medical Terminology - 5N2428
Communications - 5N0690
Word Processing - 5N1358
Work Experience - 5N1356

Register for accredited online training on Socrates GP integrated practice management software which is optional.

It will cost an additional €500 and is provided in the local Pitman Training Centre. This practice management software is central to office administrative duties in GP Practices, Hospital Consultants and Primary Care Centres. It provides you with database software skills in registering new patients, making appointments, checking GP availability within the practice, assigning patients to available GPs, undertaking online validation of medical cards and managing patient accounts and records. Certification in Socrates GP is a well sought-after qualification for the position of Medical Secretary for employment in medical practices.

Fees

€175 GCC Student Services Fee applies to all learners.

€50 QQI Certification Fee applies to all learners except

Those in receipt of Back to Education Allowance.
Medical Card Holders (valid at time of Registration).

Non EU Students are subject to an International Fee.

We advise non-EU citizens living outside Ireland to contact the Irish Naturalisation and Immigration Service on www.inis.gov.ie to ensure the course you are considering applying for is eligible for a student visa. Non-EU citizens living in Ireland are welcome to apply and require a PPS number (Personal Public Service Number). Non-EU citizens are required to pay a tuition fee set by the Irish government which is currently €3653. Some exemptions apply, for further information, please contact http://www.gretb.ie

Information on Migrant Eligibility to Access FE Programmes is available here.

Work Experience

Work experience takes place one day per week throughout the academic year in local offices where future contacts with prospective employers can be established

Special Features

By completing this course you will be prepared for college. You will be equipped with typing skills, audio transcription skills, proficiency in various software packages, training on the completion of assignments and projects at a professional level, effective communication skills and collaborative work.

Guest speakers from local medical practices and legal practices, recruitment agencies, business startup entrepreneurs are organised from time to time.

Modern learning space with data projectors, Olympus Audio Transcription Software, Microsoft Office 2016 suite where you become proficient in word processing which includes mail merge, PowerPoint presentations and introduction to database methods.

Entry Requirements

QQI Level 4, minimum of 17 years of age at time of registration, Leaving Certificate/Leaving Certificate Applied, Equivalent qualifications from other countries, relevant life experiences, relevant work experiences and mature students.

Progression

For information please visit our Progression and Career Guidance pages under Student Supports

Opportunities open to students who did not achieve the desired Leaving Certificate to allow entry to your desired course from the CAO system, you can have the opportunity to achieve up to 390 points in a PLC course and gain access to 3rd Level or for mature students who did not complete a Leaving Certificate to gain access to 3rd Level.

Career Opportunities

Many graduates go directly into employment in a range of offices, medical practices/hospitals, Auctioneers/Insurance Brokers/Solicitors/Accountants, local authorities, local businesses and industrial firms.

Medical Environment: the hospitals, medical centres, doctors and dental businesses throughout Galway City and County.

Legal Environment: in one of the prestigious solicitor Businesses throughout Galway City and County and Citizens Information Office.

Office Administration: in multinational companies, hotels, financial and insurance companies, property management businesses throughout Galway City and County.

TESTIMONIALS

Sharon: “My decision to apply for the Legal & Medical Secretarial Course in the Galway Community College was one of the best decisions I have ever made. I am currently working in the Galway Clinic and I can honestly say that I feel if I had I not completed the course, I would not be in the full time position that I am in now so thank you Galway Community College for starting me on my way in my chosen field of employment"

Elaine: "If you are thinking about gaining employment in the medical or legal secretarial field, then I would highly recommend this course. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in Galway Community College and I am sure that you will too!”

Rebecca: “The Legal and Medical Secretarial Course has opened up so many doors for me! The qualification and experience I gained from the course helped me gain full time employment in both Ireland and Australia! The teachers were fantastic and made the course enjoyable."

Anne:

“I had been a housewife for a good few years and apart from a few part-time jobs I was a "stay at home mum". I decided when my youngest child started school that it was time for me to return to education. The workplace had changed a lot since I was last in it and I really needed to update my knowledge. The Legal and Medical Secretarial course appealed to me as I had an interest in that line of work and hoped it would open a lot of doors for me. The course was invaluable to me, meeting new people and the tuition I received was second to none. I now feel confident to be out there with the rest competing for that job! It really is a worthwhile step in the right direction!”

Finbar: "Having done the Leaving Cert. quite young, I didn’t feel ready to make the big move to university, so I deferred entry for a year. I wanted to spend the year gaining valuable skills and experience I never had the chance to learn in secondary school and I knew GCC was the right option for me, excited at the prospect of improving my communication, organisation and IT skills. Finishing the course with the guidance of first-rate tutors, I can safely say that I have acquired these skills and many more! I knew I had an interest in studying Medicine in university but I was uncertain whether it would be the right sort of career for me. The work experience I attained in a busy GP’s surgery allowed me a unique and rewarding insight into the medical profession and simply whet my appetite for this line of work. I am now studying Medicine in NUI Galway, safe in the knowledge that it is the right course for me.”

Please Note

Galway Community College reserves the right to make changes to any course, to limit the number of places available or to withdraw a course. No part of this information shall be deemed to form a contract between the college and a student or a third party.