The LICQual Level 3 Certificate in Clinical Nutrition (Cert CN) is a specialised qualification designed for healthcare professionals seeking to advance their expertise in nutrition science and clinical dietary management. This Level 3 Certificate is aimed at learners with prior experience in healthcare or related fields who wish to enhance their career prospects, deepen their professional knowledge, and fulfil Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements. It is not intended for beginners, but for those committed to improving patient outcomes through evidence-based nutritional care.
Learners enrolling in this course will gain a comprehensive understanding of human nutrition, metabolism, dietary assessment, nutritional interventions, and clinical applications for managing health conditions. The course emphasises both theoretical knowledge and practical skills, enabling learners to apply nutritional strategies effectively in clinical, community, and hospital settings.
To maintain the highest standards of training and learner achievement, centres delivering this qualification must employ competent and qualified staff, and provide access to all necessary learning materials, practical resources, and supportive facilities. This ensures learners receive a high-quality, engaging, and interactive learning experience, promoting both knowledge acquisition and professional development.
Whether you are a nurse, dietitian, allied health professional, or clinical researcher, this Level 3 Certificate provides a robust foundation for career advancement, enhanced clinical competence, and improved patient care outcomes. By completing the course, learners will be equipped to deliver personalised nutritional care, support patient health and well-being, and apply best practices in evidence-based clinical nutrition.
Course Overview
Qualification Title
LICQual Level 3 Certificate in Clinical Nutrition (Cert CN)
Total Units
6
Total Credits
24
GLH
120
Qualification #
LICQ2200858
Qualification Specification
To enroll in the LICQual Level 3 Certificate in Clinical Nutrition (Cert CN), applicants must meet the following criteria:
|
Qualification# |
Unit Title |
Credits |
GLH |
|---|---|---|---|
|
LICQ2200858-1 |
Fundamentals of Human Nutrition |
4 |
20 |
|
LICQ2200858-2 |
Digestion, Absorption, and Metabolism |
4 |
20 |
|
LICQ2200858-3 |
Assessment of Nutritional Status |
4 |
20 |
|
LICQ2200858-4 |
Clinical Nutrition in Health and Disease |
4 |
20 |
|
LICQ2200858-5 |
Therapeutic Diets and Nutritional Planning |
4 |
20 |
|
LICQ2200858-6 |
Ethics, Professional Practice, and Multidisciplinary Care |
4 |
20 |
By the end of this course, learners will be able to:
Unit 1: Fundamentals of Human Nutrition
Learning Outcomes:
- Understand the role of macronutrients, micronutrients, and water in human health
- Explain the principles of balanced nutrition and dietary requirements across the lifespan
- Analyse the relationship between nutrition and disease prevention
- Evaluate the impact of nutrition on overall health and well-being
Unit 2: Digestion, Absorption, and Metabolism
Learning Outcomes:
- Describe the physiology of the digestive system and nutrient absorption processes
- Explain metabolic pathways and the biochemical roles of nutrients
- Analyse energy balance and factors affecting metabolism
- Evaluate the impact of metabolic disorders on nutritional status
Unit 3: Assessment of Nutritional Status
Learning Outcomes:
- Apply methods for assessing nutritional status, including dietary assessment, anthropometry, and biochemical tests
- Interpret clinical data to evaluate patient nutrition
- Identify nutritional deficiencies and excesses
- Develop strategies for monitoring and improving nutritional health
Unit 4: Clinical Nutrition in Health and Disease
Learning Outcomes:
- Understand the nutritional management of common health conditions, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and gastrointestinal disorders
- Apply evidence-based nutrition interventions for disease prevention and management
- Analyse case studies to inform personalised nutritional care
- Evaluate the effectiveness of clinical nutrition strategies in improving patient outcomes
Unit 5: Therapeutic Diets and Nutritional Planning
Learning Outcomes:
- Design and implement therapeutic diets tailored to individual patient needs
- Apply meal planning and supplementation strategies effectively
- Develop personalised nutrition plans based on clinical assessment
- Evaluate the impact of dietary interventions on patient health and recovery
Unit 6: Ethics, Professional Practice, and Multidisciplinary Care
Learning Outcomes:
- Demonstrate patient-centred care and effective communication with patients and healthcare teams
- Apply ethical principles and professional standards in clinical nutrition practice
- Collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary teams
- Evaluate strategies for optimising patient outcomes through coordinated nutritional care
This course is designed for healthcare professionals who wish to enhance their expertise and career prospects in clinical nutrition. Learners who will benefit include:
- Healthcare Professionals: Nurses, doctors, clinical officers, and allied health practitioners involved in patient care and dietary management
- Dietitians and Nutrition Specialists: Professionals seeking to deepen their knowledge of clinical nutrition and evidence-based dietary interventions
- Medical Researchers: Individuals conducting research in nutrition, metabolic health, or clinical dietary strategies
- Public Health Practitioners: Those working in community health, patient education, and nutrition-focused health promotion programs
- Healthcare Educators: Trainers and educators wishing to expand their knowledge of clinical nutrition for teaching purposes
- CPD Seekers: Professionals aiming to fulfil Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements while applying nutrition knowledge in clinical settings
This Level 3 Certificate is ideal for learners with prior healthcare or nutrition-related experience who are motivated to improve patient outcomes, enhance clinical competence, and advance professional development in clinical nutrition.
To deliver high-quality training and ensure learner success, centres offering this qualification must meet the following requirements:
- Qualified and Competent Staff: Centres must employ experienced trainers and assessors with relevant professional qualifications in clinical nutrition, dietetics, healthcare, or related fields. Staff should have practical experience and expertise in Level 3 healthcare education.
- Access to Learning Resources: Centres must provide learners with up-to-date course materials, textbooks, digital learning platforms, and reference resources to support both theoretical knowledge and practical application.
- Teaching and Learning Facilities: Centres should have suitable classrooms, practical training areas, and demonstration facilities to facilitate interactive and practical learning experiences.
- Assessment Arrangements: Centres must implement robust assessment procedures, including formative and summative assessments, to ensure learners achieve all required learning outcomes.
- Health and Safety Compliance: Centres must maintain safe learning environments, adhering to UK health and safety regulations, particularly for practical or clinical sessions.
- Quality Assurance Systems: Centres should have effective internal quality assurance mechanisms, including monitoring teaching standards, learner feedback, and continuous improvement strategies.
- Support for Learners: Centres must provide guidance and support services, including access to tutors, mentoring, and resources for independent study to promote learner success.
Meeting these requirements ensures that centres deliver a professional, credible, and internationally recognised training programme, equipping learners with the knowledge and skills needed for excellence in clinical nutrition.
Assessment and Verification
All units within this qualification are subject to internal assessment by the approved centre and external verification by LICQual. The qualification follows a criterion-referenced assessment approach, ensuring that learners meet all specified learning outcomes.
To achieve a ‘Pass’ in any unit, learners must provide valid, sufficient, and authentic evidence demonstrating their attainment of all learning outcomes and compliance with the prescribed assessment criteria. The Assessor is responsible for evaluating the evidence and determining whether the learner has successfully met the required standards.
Assessors must maintain a clear and comprehensive audit trail, documenting the basis for their assessment decisions to ensure transparency, consistency, and compliance with quality assurance requirements.
