Certificate in Health Service Support
Unit Overview
Health facilities don’t run on doctors and nurses alone. A big part of daily hospital operations depends on support staff who make sure patients are cared for, wards are clean, equipment is ready, and services flow smoothly. This is where Health Service Support comes in.
This course prepares you to become part of that essential team in a hospital or health facility. You are trained to support different departments such as outpatient, wards, theatre, maternity, and laboratory services. The focus is on making sure the healthcare environment is safe, organized, and efficient for both patients and medical staff.
At St. Mary’s, training is closely linked to real hospital operations. You are exposed to how a working health facility runs on a daily basis — not just theory in class. You begin to understand patient flow, basic care support, hygiene standards, and how different departments depend on each other.
The program follows the TVET CDACC competency-based curriculum, meaning you are trained based on what you can actually do in a real hospital environment. By the end of the course, you are expected to confidently support healthcare delivery in a professional setting under supervision.
Unit Objectives
By the end of this unit, students will be able to:
- Equip learners with practical skills in hospital and health facility support
- Develop competence in patient care assistance and service delivery support
- Promote infection prevention, hygiene, and safety standards
- Prepare learners to work in different hospital departments
- Build teamwork and communication skills in healthcare settings
Unit Content
Key areas of study include:
- Introduction to health systems and hospital operations
- Basic patient care support
- Infection prevention and control
- Hygiene and sanitation in health facilities
- Patient flow and service support
- Medical records and documentation basics
- Support in outpatient and inpatient services
- Basic emergency response support
- Workplace safety and ethics
- Industrial attachment / hospital practice
Career Opportunities
Graduates can work in:
- Hospitals and health centres
- Private clinics
- Nursing homes and care facilities
- NGOs and community health programs
Entry Requirements
KCSE Mean Grade D (Plain) Or equivalent qualification
Duration of the Unit
1 Year, 3 Months
Why Study This Unit?
- A foundation entry into the medical field
- A practical hospital-based training program
- A pathway into nursing, clinical, or specialized health programs
