The LICQual Level 3 Certificate in Nutritional Support in Critical Care (Cert Critical Care Nutrition) is a specialised qualification designed for healthcare professionals who wish to enhance their expertise in providing nutritional care for critically ill patients. This course equips learners with advanced knowledge and practical skills to assess, plan, and implement effective nutritional support strategies in high-dependency and intensive care settings.
Ideal for nurses, dietitians, allied health practitioners, and other healthcare professionals, this qualification supports career progression and Continuing Professional Development (CPD). Learners will gain insight into the physiological and metabolic changes that occur during critical illness, the impact of malnutrition on patient outcomes, and evidence-based nutritional interventions. The course emphasises clinical decision-making, patient assessment, and personalised nutritional planning to optimise recovery and support overall health in critical care environments.
Centres delivering this qualification are required to maintain the highest standards of teaching and learning. This includes employing competent and qualified staff, providing access to up-to-date learning materials, and ensuring all necessary resources are available for both theoretical and practical study. Such a commitment ensures that learners benefit from a comprehensive, resource-rich environment that maximises knowledge acquisition, practical competence, and professional growth.
Whether you are a healthcare professional seeking to specialise in critical care nutrition or aiming to advance your professional practice, the LICQual Level 3 Certificate in Nutritional Support in Critical Care provides the expertise, credibility, and applied skills necessary to deliver high-quality nutritional care, enhance patient outcomes, and advance your career while fulfilling CPD requirements.
Course Overview
Qualification Title
LICQual Level 3 Certificate in Nutritional Support in Critical Care (Cert Critical Care Nutrition)
Total Units
6
Total Credits
60
GLH
240
Qualification #
LICQ2201018
Qualification Specification
To enroll in the LICQual Level 3 Certificate in Nutritional Support in Critical Care (Cert Critical Care Nutrition), applicants must meet the following criteria:
|
Qualification# |
Unit Title |
Credits |
GLH |
|---|---|---|---|
|
LICQ2201018-1 |
Introduction to Nutritional Support in Critical Care |
10 |
40 |
|
LICQ2201018-2 |
Physiological and Metabolic Changes in Critical Illness |
10 |
40 |
|
LICQ2201018-3 |
Assessment and Monitoring of Nutritional Status |
10 |
40 |
|
LICQ2201018-4 |
Enteral and Parenteral Nutrition Support |
10 |
40 |
|
LICQ2201018-5 |
Clinical Decision-Making and Intervention Strategies |
10 |
40 |
|
LICQ2201018-6 |
Professional Practice in Critical Care Nutrition |
10 |
40 |
By the end of this course, learners will be able to:
Unit 1: Introduction to Nutritional Support in Critical Care
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to
- Explain the principles and importance of nutritional support in critical care
- Analyse the role of healthcare professionals in delivering nutrition interventions in high-dependency and intensive care settings
- Evaluate the impact of malnutrition on patient recovery and outcomes
- Identify key factors influencing effective nutritional care in critically ill patients
Unit 2: Physiological and Metabolic Changes in Critical Illness
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to
- Describe the physiological and metabolic responses to critical illness
- Analyse how illness and stress affect energy requirements and nutrient metabolism
- Evaluate the implications of metabolic changes for nutritional assessment and intervention
- Apply knowledge of physiological processes to inform patient care decisions
Unit 3: Assessment and Monitoring of Nutritional Status
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to
- Conduct comprehensive assessments of critically ill patients’ nutritional status
- Interpret clinical, biochemical, and anthropometric data to inform care planning
- Identify patients at risk of malnutrition or nutrient deficiencies
- Monitor and evaluate the effectiveness of nutritional interventions
Unit 4: Enteral and Parenteral Nutrition Support
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to
- Explain the principles, indications, and contraindications of enteral and parenteral nutrition
- Select appropriate nutrition formulas and delivery methods for individual patients
- Manage potential complications associated with nutritional support
- Apply evidence-based practices to optimise nutrition delivery in critical care
Unit 5: Clinical Decision-Making and Intervention Strategies
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to
- Develop personalised nutritional intervention plans for critically ill patients
- Apply clinical reasoning and evidence-based practice to support decision-making
- Evaluate the effectiveness of interventions and adjust care plans as needed
- Integrate multidisciplinary input to enhance patient outcomes
Unit 6: Professional Practice in Critical Care Nutrition
By the end of this unit, learners will be able to
- Demonstrate professional, ethical, and legal responsibilities in critical care nutrition practice
- Communicate effectively with patients, families, and multidisciplinary teams
- Apply evidence-based practice to support high-quality patient care
- Engage in Continuing Professional Development (CPD) to enhance knowledge and competence
This qualification is ideal for learners who wish to specialise in nutritional support within critical care settings. It is suitable for
- Healthcare professionals working in high-dependency or intensive care units seeking to enhance their knowledge of critical care nutrition
- Nurses, dietitians, and allied health practitioners aiming to deliver evidence-based nutritional interventions for critically ill patients
- Clinicians wishing to develop skills in assessment, monitoring, and management of nutrition in complex patient cases
- Individuals pursuing a career in critical care, clinical nutrition, or hospital-based health services
- Professionals committed to Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and advancing their career prospects
- Learners supporting patients with malnutrition, metabolic complications, or other critical care nutrition needs
This course provides learners with practical skills, applied knowledge, and professional competence to optimise patient outcomes and advance their careers in critical care nutrition practice.
Centres delivering the LICQual Level 3 Certificate in Nutritional Support in Critical Care must provide a high-quality learning environment to ensure learner success. To achieve this, centres are expected to
- Employ competent and qualified staff with expertise in critical care nutrition, dietetics, and allied health practice
- Provide access to up-to-date learning materials, including textbooks, digital resources, and practical assessment tools
- Maintain suitable teaching facilities, whether in-person or online, that support effective learning and engagement
- Ensure learners have access to all necessary equipment and resources to support both theoretical and practical study
- Implement robust teaching, learning, and assessment strategies aligned with Level 3 standards
- Support learners in meeting professional, ethical, and clinical practice requirements, including Continuing Professional Development (CPD)
- Monitor and review teaching quality and learner outcomes to continually enhance the learning experience
By meeting these requirements, centres ensure that learners receive comprehensive training, develop practical competence, and acquire the knowledge necessary to deliver high-quality nutritional care in critical care settings.
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.
