The LICQual Level 3 Certificate in Clinical Oncology Nutrition (Cert Oncology Nutrition) is a specialised qualification designed for learners who wish to develop advanced knowledge and practical skills in nutrition for oncology patients. This course is ideal for professionals seeking to enhance their career prospects, expand their expertise, and maintain high standards in Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
Learners will explore the nutritional needs of individuals undergoing cancer treatment, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgical interventions. The programme covers topics such as cancer-related malnutrition, dietary strategies to manage side effects, nutrient requirements during treatment, and the role of nutrition in recovery and quality of life. Learners will gain the ability to assess, plan, and implement evidence-based nutritional interventions for oncology patients in clinical, community, and wellness settings.
Centres delivering this qualification are required to uphold the highest standards of training, ensuring learners are supported by competent and qualified staff. Additionally, centres must provide all necessary learning materials, digital resources, and practical tools to enable learners to fully engage with the course content and achieve successful outcomes.
By completing the LICQual Level 3 Certificate in Clinical Oncology Nutrition, learners will acquire the knowledge and professional skills needed to support oncology patients effectively. This qualification provides a strong foundation for those committed to advancing their careers in nutrition, healthcare, dietetics, and oncology support services, enabling learners to apply evidence-based nutritional strategies with confidence and professionalism.
Course Overview
Qualification Title
LICQual Level 3 Certificate in Clinical Oncology Nutrition (Cert Oncology Nutrition)
Total Units
6
Total Credits
60
GLH
240
Qualification #
LICQ2201010
Qualification Specification
To enroll in the LICQual Level 3 Certificate in Clinical Oncology Nutrition (Cert Oncology Nutrition), applicants must meet the following criteria:
|
Qualification# |
Unit Title |
Credits |
GLH |
|---|---|---|---|
|
LICQ2201010-1 |
Introduction to Clinical Oncology Nutrition |
10 |
40 |
|
LICQ2201010-2 |
Nutritional Requirements in Cancer Patients |
10 |
40 |
|
LICQ2201010-3 |
Managing Nutrition-Related Treatment Side Effects |
10 |
40 |
|
LICQ2201010-4 |
Nutritional Assessment and Care Planning |
10 |
40 |
|
LICQ2201010-5 |
Special Diets and Clinical Considerations |
10 |
40 |
|
LICQ2201010-6 |
Research, Communication, and Professional Practice |
10 |
40 |
By the end of this course, learners will be able to:
Unit 1: Introduction to Clinical Oncology Nutrition
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Explain the fundamentals of clinical oncology nutrition and its role in patient care.
- Describe the impact of cancer and cancer treatments on nutritional status.
- Analyse the principles of nutritional care for oncology patients.
- Apply foundational knowledge to support evidence-based practice in oncology nutrition.
Unit 2: Nutritional Requirements in Cancer Patients
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Identify macro- and micronutrient requirements for oncology patients.
- Evaluate energy and fluid needs before, during, and after cancer treatment.
- Assess dietary strategies to support treatment outcomes and patient recovery.
- Recommend evidence-based nutritional interventions to maintain or improve nutritional status.
Unit 3: Managing Nutrition-Related Treatment Side Effects
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Explain common nutrition-related side effects of cancer treatments, including nausea, vomiting, fatigue, and taste changes.
- Analyse strategies to mitigate these side effects through dietary interventions.
- Develop patient-focused nutrition plans to manage treatment-related symptoms.
- Apply evidence-based approaches to support patient wellbeing and treatment adherence.
Unit 4: Nutritional Assessment and Care Planning
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Conduct comprehensive nutritional assessments for oncology patients.
- Identify nutritional deficiencies and risks in patients undergoing cancer treatment.
- Design personalised care plans based on assessment outcomes.
- Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of nutritional interventions in clinical practice.
Unit 5: Special Diets and Clinical Considerations
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Identify dietary modifications for patients with comorbidities, allergies, and intolerances.
- Evaluate the impact of clinical conditions on nutritional requirements.
- Develop safe and effective dietary strategies tailored to individual patient needs.
- Apply professional judgement in adapting diets to clinical scenarios.
Unit 6: Research, Communication, and Professional Practice
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Conduct research using reliable sources and appropriate methods in clinical oncology nutrition.
- Analyse and interpret nutritional data to inform evidence-based practice.
- Communicate nutritional advice effectively to patients, families, and healthcare teams.
- Demonstrate critical thinking and professional judgement in applying research findings to oncology nutrition practice.
This qualification is designed for learners seeking to specialise in nutrition for oncology patients. It is ideal for:
- Aspiring Nutrition and Dietetics Professionals – Individuals aiming to develop expertise in clinical oncology nutrition and patient care.
- Healthcare Practitioners – Nurses, dietitians, oncologists, and allied health professionals looking to enhance their knowledge of cancer-related nutritional needs.
- Wellness and Support Specialists – Health coaches, nutrition consultants, and patient support workers seeking to provide evidence-based nutritional guidance for oncology patients.
- Clinical and Community Nutrition Workers – Professionals involved in patient education, oncology care programmes, or community health initiatives.
- Career Changers – Individuals wishing to enter the field of oncology nutrition with a recognised Level 3 qualification.
- CPD-Focused Learners – Professionals committed to Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and staying up-to-date with developments in clinical oncology nutrition.
By completing this course, learners will gain the scientific knowledge, practical skills, and professional credibility to apply evidence-based nutritional strategies in clinical, community, and wellness settings for patients with cancer.
To deliver the LICQual Level 3 Certificate in Clinical Oncology Nutrition, centres must meet the following standards to ensure high-quality training and learner success:
- Qualified and Competent Staff – Centres must employ tutors and assessors with recognised qualifications and relevant professional experience in clinical oncology nutrition, dietetics, or healthcare to provide expert guidance to learners.
- Comprehensive Learning Resources – Centres should provide learners with access to up-to-date textbooks, scientific journals, digital resources, and practical tools necessary for completing all units of the course.
- Practical Training Facilities – Centres must have access to suitable facilities, including demonstration areas or laboratories, to support practical learning and applied nutrition exercises.
- Assessment and Feedback Systems – Centres must implement robust assessment procedures, including formative and summative evaluations, and provide timely, constructive feedback to support learner progress.
- Health and Safety Compliance – Centres must maintain high standards of health and safety in all learning environments, ensuring that learners can engage safely in practical activities.
- Commitment to Continuing Professional Development (CPD) – Centres should encourage both staff and learners to engage in CPD activities to remain current with developments in clinical oncology nutrition.
- Quality Assurance Processes – Centres must have effective monitoring and evaluation systems to ensure consistent course delivery, adherence to LICQual standards, and continuous improvement of teaching and learning.
By meeting these requirements, centres create a professional, supportive, and resource-rich learning environment that enables learners to successfully achieve the LICQual Level 3 Certificate in Clinical Oncology Nutrition, enhancing their knowledge, practical skills, and career prospects in oncology nutrition and healthcare.
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.
