Health Worker Training Courses and Registration as a Health Worker

Updating / Removing Information from the Register(s) of Health Workers

The Residential Care Homes Legislation (Miscellaneous Amendments) Ordinance 2023 was gazetted on 16 June 2023, which covers issues on improving the registration system for health worker, etc.

Health worker may submit the form(s)/document(s) to our office by fax, email, post or in person for the Department's follow-up.

Enquiry telephone number: 3620 3146

Introduction to Health Worker Training Courses and Registration as a Health Worker

In accordance with section 11 of the Residential Care Homes (Elderly Persons) Regulation/ the Residential Care Homes (Persons with Disabilities) Regulation (the Regulations), the operator of a residential care home (RCH) (other than a nursing home) shall, according to the particular type of RCH, employ a person as a home manager, an ancillary worker, a care worker, a health worker and/ or a nurse in the manner indicated in Schedule 1/ Schedule. Health worker means any person whose name appears on the Register of Health Workers as established and maintained by the Director of Social Welfare (the Director) under section 5 of the Regulations.

In accordance with section 4 of the Regulations, a person who has completed a course of training approved by the Director in writing or by reason of the person's education, training, professional experience and skill in health work satisfies the Director that the person is a suitable person to be registered as a health worker, shall be qualified to be registered as a health worker for the purpose of employment at an RCH.

Application for Organising Courses by Training Institutes (for Training Institutes' reference)

The “Specification of Competency Standards (SCS)” developed by the Elderly Service Industry Training Advisory Committee under the Qualifications Framework (QF) set out the skills, and competency standards required of the practitioners to perform various job functions in the elderly care service industry effectively which serve as an important reference for staff training by employers. Training Institutes intending to organise HWTCs must ensure their courses are SCS-based, and have been accredited by the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic & Vocational Qualifications (HKCAAVQ) (except those courses accredited through the internal vetting mechanism of self-accrediting institutions) at QF Level 3, prior to making an application to the SWD for approval.

Graduates of the approved HWTCs can apply to the Licensing and Regulation Branch of the SWD for registration as a health worker in accordance with the Residential Care Homes (Elderly Persons) Regulation and/or the Residential Care Homes (Persons with Disabilities) Regulation via the training institutes.

Types of Health Worker Training Courses and related requirements:

Health Worker Training Courses

Persons who intend to enrol in the Health Worker Training Course and apply for Health Worker Registration may refer to the following courses for reference.

Notes:

1. the following courses are not the recognised courses under the "Training Subsidy Scheme for the Staff of Residential Care Homes";
2. the individual training institute is responsible for the enrolment and dates for the approved courses. Please contact the training institute concerned for details.

Certificate in Progression Training for Care Workers

This is a health worker bridging course for those who do not have the attainment of Form 5 or above but have completed Form 3 and worked as a care worker in RCHEs or RCHDs for not less than three years. Upon completion of this bridging course, the person is qualified to enroll to the Health Worker Training Course approved by the Director of Social Welfare.

Note: The individual training institute is responsible for the enrolment and dates for the approved courses. Please contact the training institute concerned for details.

Application for Registration as a Health Worker

Please refer to the following Guidance Notes on Application for Registration as a Health Worker and related documents:

Enquiry

Please contact Development Section, Licensing and Regulation Branch, Social Welfare Department.