The LICQual Level 3 Diploma in Psychiatric Pharmacy (Dip Psychiatric Pharmacy) is a specialised qualification designed for healthcare and pharmacy professionals seeking to enhance their expertise in the management of psychiatric medications and mental health pharmaceutical care. This diploma equips learners with advanced knowledge and practical skills to safely and effectively manage psychotropic drugs, support patient-centred treatment plans, and contribute to improved mental health outcomes.
This qualification is aimed at learners who wish to advance their career prospects, broaden their professional knowledge, and achieve recognised Continuing Professional Development (CPD). Through the course, learners will gain comprehensive insights into psychiatric pharmacology, psychotropic medication management, monitoring of therapeutic and adverse effects, and clinical decision-making in mental health settings. The curriculum emphasises both theoretical understanding and practical application, preparing learners to work confidently within multidisciplinary mental health teams and support evidence-based treatment strategies.
Centres delivering the LICQual Level 3 Diploma in Psychiatric Pharmacy are required to maintain the highest standards of training to ensure learner success. This includes employing competent and qualified staff with relevant professional experience, providing access to up-to-date teaching materials, and ensuring all necessary resources and technological tools are available to support effective learning. By maintaining these standards, centres create a supportive and engaging learning environment that fosters skill development, knowledge enhancement, and professional growth.
Whether learners are seeking to specialise in psychiatric pharmacy, support mental health services, or enhance their professional portfolio, this diploma offers a structured pathway to recognised expertise, improved patient safety, and career progression within the pharmaceutical and healthcare sectors.
Course Overview
Qualification Title
LICQual Level 3 Diploma in Psychiatric Pharmacy (Dip Psychiatric Pharmacy)
Total Units
6
Total Credits
60
GLH
240
Qualification #
LICQ2201168
Qualification Specification
To enroll in the LICQual Level 3 Diploma in Psychiatric Pharmacy (Dip Psychiatric Pharmacy), applicants must meet the following criteria:
|
Qualification# |
Unit Title |
Credits |
GLH |
|---|---|---|---|
|
LICQ2201168-1 |
Introduction to Psychiatric Pharmacy |
10 |
40 |
|
LICQ2201168-2 |
Psychotropic Medication Management |
10 |
40 |
|
LICQ2201168-3 |
Mental Health Pharmacology |
10 |
40 |
|
LICQ2201168-4 |
Medication Safety and Risk Management in Psychiatry |
10 |
40 |
|
LICQ2201168-5 |
Regulatory and Ethical Considerations in Psychiatric Pharmacy |
10 |
40 |
|
LICQ2201168-6 |
Applications of Psychiatric Pharmacy Practice |
10 |
40 |
By the end of this course, learners will be able to:
Unit 1: Introduction to Psychiatric Pharmacy
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Explain the fundamental principles of psychiatric pharmacy
- Describe the role of psychiatric pharmacists in mental health care
- Identify key responsibilities in managing psychiatric medications safely
- Demonstrate understanding of patient-centred approaches in mental health pharmaceutical care
Unit 2: Psychotropic Medication Management
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Analyse safe prescribing, dispensing, administration, and monitoring practices for psychotropic medications
- Demonstrate understanding of dose adjustment and management of drug interactions
- Apply strategies to reduce medication errors and enhance patient safety
- Evaluate the effectiveness of medication management in mental health settings
Unit 3: Mental Health Pharmacology
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Explain the mechanisms of action, therapeutic indications, and adverse effects of major psychotropic drug classes
- Analyse pharmacological considerations for patient-specific care
- Apply knowledge of pharmacology to optimise treatment plans for mental health patients
- Evaluate the impact of pharmacological interventions on patient outcomes
Unit 4: Medication Safety and Risk Management in Psychiatry
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Identify potential risks associated with psychiatric medications
- Demonstrate understanding of incident reporting and risk assessment procedures
- Apply risk management strategies to prevent medication errors and adverse effects
- Analyse case studies to develop solutions for safe psychiatric pharmacy practice
Unit 5: Regulatory and Ethical Considerations in Psychiatric Pharmacy
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Describe national and international regulations relevant to psychiatric pharmacy
- Explain ethical principles, patient consent, and confidentiality requirements
- Demonstrate understanding of professional codes of practice in mental health care
- Analyse the implications of regulatory and ethical standards on professional practice
Unit 6: Applications of Psychiatric Pharmacy Practice
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to:
- Apply psychiatric pharmacy principles in practical clinical scenarios
- Demonstrate problem-solving and clinical decision-making skills through case studies
- Evaluate best practices for patient safety, adherence, and treatment outcomes
- Integrate theoretical knowledge with practical skills to support professional psychiatric pharmacy practice
This course is designed for learners who wish to specialise in psychiatric pharmacy and enhance their professional knowledge, skills, and career prospects. It is suitable for:
- Pharmacists and pharmacy technicians working with patients experiencing mental health conditions
- Healthcare professionals in hospitals, mental health clinics, or community care settings
- Clinical support staff involved in prescribing, dispensing, or administering psychotropic medications
- Professionals responsible for patient safety, risk management, and quality assurance in psychiatric pharmacy
- Learners seeking recognised Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in mental health pharmaceutical care
- Individuals aiming to improve safe management, monitoring, and administration of psychiatric medications
- Professionals looking to advance into specialised roles in psychiatric pharmacy, clinical pharmacy, or healthcare quality management
- Anyone interested in applying best practices to enhance patient-centred care, treatment adherence, and therapeutic outcomes in mental health settings
To deliver the LICQual Level 3 Diploma in Psychiatric Pharmacy effectively and ensure high-quality learner outcomes, centres must meet the following requirements:
- Qualified and Competent Staff: Centres must employ instructors with relevant qualifications and professional experience in psychiatric pharmacy, mental health care, or clinical pharmacy. Staff should be capable of delivering Level 3 training and supporting learners in both theoretical and practical aspects.
- Access to Appropriate Resources: Centres must provide learners with up-to-date teaching materials, clinical guidelines, pharmaceutical references, and any relevant tools or software required to support effective learning and assessments.
- Learning Environment: Centres should maintain a safe, well-equipped, and conducive environment for learning that facilitates interactive sessions, group discussions, and practical exercises.
- Technological Infrastructure: Centres must ensure reliable access to computers, internet connectivity, and any specialised tools or platforms necessary for psychiatric pharmacy training.
- Compliance with Standards: Centres must operate in accordance with regulatory and quality assurance standards to maintain the integrity, reliability, and recognition of the qualification.
- Support for CPD and Learner Progression: Centres should provide guidance and resources for Continuing Professional Development (CPD), enabling learners to apply knowledge and skills effectively in professional practice.
By meeting these requirements, centres can deliver the LICQual Level 3 Diploma in Psychiatric Pharmacy to the highest standard, ensuring learners gain practical skills, theoretical knowledge, and professional recognition.
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.
