Registration of Health Worker and Training Courses

Introduction to Registration of 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 nursing home) shall not employ any person as a health worker unless that person is a registered health worker.
 

In accordance with section 4 of the Regulations, a person who has completed a course of training approved by the Director of Social Welfare (the Director) in writing or by reason of the person's education, training, professional experience and skills 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.
 

Starting from 16.6.2024, all registered health workers have to fulfil the requirement of renewal registration to ensure the validity of registration.  In accordance with section 5 of the Regulations, the Director must keep a register containing a list of persons registered as registered health workers available for inspection by the public.

 

Application for Registration / Renewal of Registration of Health Worker

Persons making new application shall study the guidance notes below for new registration details and submit the application through CarePro Registration System for Residential Care Homes (CPRS)  by uploading the relevant documents.  Renewal application should be made at least 3 months before, but not earlier than 6 months before the expiry of the registration.

Renewal of Registration  for Registered Health Worker (who have registered before 16th June, 2024)

Social Welfare Department (SWD) will notify registered health workers (who have registered before 16th June, 2024) for submission of renewal application by batch.  The first batch of renewal application will be those who are currently in service.  SWD will contact the corresponding registered health worker through their home manager.  For registered health worker who are currently not in service would be notified by email/ letter at later stage.  Please refer to the SWD website for most updated information.

All registered health worker must have a valid email address for renewal application in CPRS.  If you have not submitted your email address to SWD in the past/are not sure whether you have submitted it, or your original email address has been changed, please complete the “Application Form for Updating in Register of Health Worker” to update your up-to-date email address and submit by mail, fax or email.

Reporting Requirements and Cancellation of Registration of Registered Health Worker

Training Courses for Health Worker 

All persons who enrolled Health Worker Training Course (HWTC) must meet the minimum entry requirements for Health Worker Training Course.  Graduates of the approved HWTCs are eligible to submit application to the Licensing and Regulation Branch of the SWD for registration as health worker in accordance with the Residential Care Homes (Elderly Persons) Regulation and/or the Residential Care Homes (Persons with Disabilities) Regulation via the relevant training institutes. Persons who intend to enrol the HWTCs may refer to the following approved course lists for reference.

Requirements of Health Worker Training Courses and List of Approved Courses

All Training Institutes offering Approved HWTCs must ensure their courses meet the requirement of the “Specification of Competency Standards (SCS)” under the Qualifications Framework (QF), 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. 

Please refer to the following attachments in relation to course requirements / course outlines, list of approved courses and training institutes and minimum entry requirements.

^{1 The following courses are not the recognised courses under the "Training Subsidy Scheme for the Staff of Residential Care Homes"}

^{2 Enrolment and course start dates are subject to the arrangement of individual training institute. Please contact the relevant training institute concerned for details.} 

For Training institute who intend to organise HWTCs with above course organising requirements met may submit the completed application form to the Development Section, Licensing and Regulation Branch, Social Welfare Department.

 Introduction to Certificate in Progression Training for Care Workers

Requirement of Certificate in Progression Training for Care Workers and List of Approved Courses

The Certificate in Progression Training for Care Workers 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 enrol to the Health Worker Training Course approved by the Director of Social Welfare.

Please refer to the following attachments in relation to course requirements / course outlines of Certificate in Progression Training for Care Workers and list of approved courses and training institutes.
 

^{3 The following courses are not the recognised courses under the "Training Subsidy Scheme for the Staff of Residential Care Homes"}

^{4 Enrolment and course commencement dates are subject to the arrangement of individual training institute. Please contact the concerned training institute for details.}

For Training institute who intend to organise the Certificate in Progression Training for Care Workers with the above course organising requirements met may submit the completed application form to the Development Section, Licensing and Regulation Branch, Social Welfare Department.

Other information

Enquiry

For enquiry, please contact Development Section, Licensing and Regulation Branch, Social Welfare Department during office hours.