The LICQual Level 3 Certificate in Clinical Dietetics (Cert Clinical Dietetics) is a specialised qualification designed to provide learners with the essential knowledge and practical skills required to support patient care through dietetic practice. This course covers the principles of clinical nutrition, diet assessment, therapeutic dietary interventions, and the management of nutrition-related conditions in a variety of healthcare settings.
Ideal for healthcare professionals, dietetic assistants, and those seeking to advance their career in clinical nutrition, this qualification enhances professional knowledge, practical expertise, and contributes to Continuing Professional Development (CPD). Learners will gain the ability to assess dietary needs, design and implement evidence-based nutrition plans, and monitor patient outcomes effectively.
The programme blends theoretical understanding with practical application, ensuring learners can confidently translate clinical dietetic principles into real-world healthcare practice. Centres delivering this qualification must have competent and qualified staff, supported by appropriate teaching materials, facilities, and resources to guarantee high-quality training, effective learner engagement, and successful achievement of learning outcomes.
The LICQual Level 3 Certificate in Clinical Dietetics provides an excellent pathway for learners seeking to build a strong foundation in clinical dietetics while enhancing their professional development, contributing to improved patient care, and expanding career opportunities in healthcare and dietetic practice.
Course Overview
Qualification Title
LICQual Level 3 Certificate in Clinical Dietetics (Cert Clinical Dietetics)
Total Units
6
Total Credits
60
GLH
240
Qualification #
LICQ2201002
Qualification Specification
To enroll in the LICQual Level 3 Certificate in Clinical Dietetics (Cert Clinical Dietetics), applicants must meet the following criteria:
|
Qualification# |
Unit Title |
Credits |
GLH |
|---|---|---|---|
|
LICQ2201002-1 |
Fundamentals of Clinical Nutrition |
10 |
40 |
|
LICQ2201002-2 |
Nutrient Metabolism and Dietary Requirements |
10 |
40 |
|
LICQ2201002-3 |
Therapeutic Diets and Medical Conditions |
10 |
40 |
|
LICQ2201002-4 |
Nutritional Assessment and Care Planning |
10 |
40 |
|
LICQ2201002-5 |
Clinical Dietetic Practice and Intervention |
10 |
40 |
|
LICQ2201002-6 |
Professional Practice, Ethics, and CPD in Clinical Dietetics |
10 |
40 |
By the end of this course, learners will be able to:
Unit 1: Fundamentals of Clinical Nutrition
Learners will be able to:
- Explain the principles of clinical nutrition and its role in healthcare.
- Analyse the relationship between diet, health, and disease.
- Identify the key factors affecting nutritional status in patients.
- Apply foundational nutrition concepts to support patient care effectively.
Unit 2: Nutrient Metabolism and Dietary Requirements
Learners will be able to:
- Describe the metabolism of macronutrients and micronutrients in the human body.
- Assess dietary requirements for different patient groups based on age, health status, and activity levels.
- Evaluate the impact of nutrient deficiencies or excesses on health outcomes.
- Apply knowledge of nutrient metabolism to inform clinical dietary planning.
Unit 3: Therapeutic Diets and Medical Conditions
Learners will be able to:
- Identify dietary strategies for managing common medical conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and gastrointestinal disorders.
- Analyse the role of therapeutic diets in treatment and recovery.
- Develop diet plans tailored to individual patient needs and conditions.
- Apply evidence-based guidelines for safe and effective therapeutic nutrition interventions.
Unit 4: Nutritional Assessment and Care Planning
Learners will be able to:
- Conduct comprehensive nutritional assessments using appropriate tools and techniques.
- Interpret assessment results to identify nutritional risks and deficiencies.
- Develop individualised care plans based on patient nutritional needs and clinical objectives.
- Monitor and adjust dietary plans according to patient progress and outcomes.
Unit 5: Clinical Dietetic Practice and Intervention
Learners will be able to:
- Implement dietetic interventions safely and effectively within clinical settings.
- Communicate dietary guidance clearly to patients and healthcare teams.
- Evaluate the outcomes of nutritional interventions and modify strategies as required.
- Apply practical skills to support optimal patient nutrition and recovery.
Unit 6: Professional Practice, Ethics, and CPD in Clinical Dietetics
Learners will be able to:
- Demonstrate professional conduct, ethical decision-making, and confidentiality in clinical dietetic practice.
- Engage in Continuing Professional Development (CPD) to enhance professional skills and knowledge.
- Communicate effectively with patients, caregivers, and colleagues in healthcare environments.
- Apply legal, regulatory, and professional standards to ensure safe, ethical, and effective practice.
This course is designed for learners aiming to enhance their knowledge, skills, and career prospects in clinical dietetics and healthcare nutrition. Ideal candidates include:
- Aspiring Clinical Dietitians: Individuals looking to start a career in clinical dietetics, nutrition, or healthcare.
- Healthcare Professionals: Nurses, dietetic assistants, and allied health practitioners seeking to expand their expertise in patient nutrition.
- Healthcare Support Workers: Professionals working with patients who want to provide evidence-based dietary guidance and nutritional care.
- Career Changers: Individuals transitioning into healthcare, dietetics, or nutrition sectors who require a recognised qualification.
- Adult Learners Focused on CPD: Learners committed to Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and professional growth in healthcare nutrition.
- Students of Health, Nutrition, or Allied Sciences: Learners seeking a strong foundation in clinical dietetics for further study or specialised practice.
This course is ideal for learners who want to apply evidence-based dietetic strategies, support patient health, and advance their professional development in healthcare, clinical nutrition, and dietetic practice.
To effectively deliver the LICQual Level 3 Certificate in Clinical Dietetics (Cert Clinical Dietetics), centres must meet the following requirements:
- Qualified and Competent Staff: Centres must employ experienced trainers with appropriate qualifications in clinical dietetics, nutrition, healthcare, or related fields to ensure high-quality teaching and learner support.
- Comprehensive Learning Materials: Centres should provide textbooks, digital content, case studies, and assessment tools to facilitate effective learner engagement and knowledge retention.
- Access to Suitable Facilities and Equipment: Appropriate classrooms, practical learning areas, or online learning platforms with reliable technology must be available to support both theoretical and practical learning.
- Compliance with International Standards: Teaching, assessment, and learning activities must adhere to recognised international quality assurance and educational standards.
- Robust Assessment and Feedback Systems: Centres must implement effective assessment procedures and provide timely feedback to monitor learner progress and support the achievement of learning outcomes.
- Support for Continuing Professional Development (CPD): Centres should encourage and facilitate CPD for learners and staff, promoting ongoing professional growth and skill enhancement.
- Health and Safety Compliance: Centres must ensure safe learning environments, particularly for clinical or practical nutrition activities, in line with relevant regulations.
Meeting these requirements ensures learners receive high-quality training, achieve learning outcomes successfully, and develop practical skills for professional practice in clinical dietetics.
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.
