The LICQual Level 3 Certificate in Palliative Care and Hospice Medicine (Cert PCHM) is a specialised qualification designed for healthcare professionals who wish to advance their expertise in palliative and hospice care. This Level 3 Certificate is aimed at learners with prior experience in healthcare, providing them with the knowledge and skills required to deliver compassionate, high-quality care to patients with life-limiting illnesses. It is particularly suitable for those looking to enhance their career prospects, deepen their professional knowledge, and fulfil Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements.
Learners enrolling in this course will gain a thorough understanding of palliative care principles, symptom management, patient-centred communication, and holistic approaches to end-of-life care. The course also covers ethical, psychological, and social considerations, equipping learners to support patients and their families through challenging clinical scenarios.
To ensure the highest standards of training and learner achievement, centres delivering this qualification must have competent and qualified staff, alongside access to all necessary learning materials, clinical resources, and practical facilities. This ensures learners receive an engaging and supportive learning experience that promotes both theoretical understanding and practical application.
Whether you are a nurse, doctor, allied health professional, or hospice worker, this Level 3 Certificate provides a robust platform for professional development, enhanced clinical competence, and improved patient care outcomes. By completing the course, learners will be prepared to make a meaningful difference in palliative care settings while maintaining best practices and upholding the highest standards of patient-centred care.
Course Overview
Qualification Title
LICQual Level 3 Certificate in Palliative Care and Hospice Medicine (Cert PCHM)
Total Units
6
Total Credits
24
GLH
120
Qualification #
LICQ2200855
Qualification Specification
To enroll in the LICQual Level 3 Certificate in Palliative Care and Hospice Medicine (Cert PCHM), applicants must meet the following criteria:
|
Qualification# |
Unit Title |
Credits |
GLH |
|---|---|---|---|
|
LICQ2200855-1 |
Principles of Palliative Care |
4 |
20 |
|
LICQ2200855-2 |
Symptom Assessment and Management |
4 |
20 |
|
LICQ2200855-3 |
Communication and Interpersonal Skills |
4 |
20 |
|
LICQ2200855-4 |
Psychosocial and Spiritual Care |
4 |
20 |
|
LICQ2200855-5 |
End-of-Life Care and Ethical Considerations |
4 |
20 |
|
LICQ2200855-6 |
Interdisciplinary Approaches and Quality Improvement |
4 |
20 |
By the end of this course, learners will be able to:
Unit 1: Principles of Palliative Care
Learning Outcomes:
- Understand the fundamental principles and philosophy of palliative care
- Recognise the importance of patient-centred and holistic care approaches
- Analyse ethical considerations in palliative care practice
- Evaluate the role of palliative care in improving quality of life for patients and families
Unit 2: Symptom Assessment and Management
Learning Outcomes:
- Assess and identify common physical and psychological symptoms in palliative care
- Apply effective strategies for managing pain, fatigue, breathlessness, nausea, and distress
- Evaluate the impact of symptom management on patient well-being and comfort
- Develop care plans tailored to individual patient needs
Unit 3: Communication and Interpersonal Skills
Learning Outcomes:
- Demonstrate effective communication with patients, families, and multidisciplinary teams
- Apply empathetic and sensitive approaches when delivering difficult news
- Develop skills for active listening, counselling, and conflict resolution
- Analyse the impact of communication on patient outcomes and satisfaction
Unit 4: Psychosocial and Spiritual Care
Learning Outcomes:
- Understand the psychosocial, cultural, and spiritual needs of patients in palliative care
- Apply strategies to support patients’ emotional and psychological well-being
- Recognise and respect diverse cultural and spiritual beliefs in care delivery
- Evaluate interventions that enhance holistic support for patients and families
Unit 5: End-of-Life Care and Ethical Considerations
Learning Outcomes:
- Develop knowledge of end-of-life care planning and advance directives
- Apply ethical principles and professional judgement in palliative care decisions
- Understand relevant legal frameworks impacting end-of-life care
- Analyse complex cases to make informed, compassionate care decisions
Unit 6: Interdisciplinary Approaches and Quality Improvement
Learning Outcomes:
- Understand the role of multidisciplinary teams in delivering palliative care
- Apply principles of teamwork, collaboration, and care coordination
- Evaluate quality improvement methods and audit practices in palliative care settings
- Reflect on professional practice and engage in Continuing Professional Development (CPD) activities
This course is designed for professionals seeking to enhance their knowledge and career prospects in palliative care and hospice medicine. Learners who will benefit include:
- Healthcare Professionals: Nurses, doctors, clinical officers, and allied health practitioners seeking advanced skills in palliative and end-of-life care
- Hospice Staff: Professionals working in hospice settings, including care assistants and support staff involved in patient care
- Palliative Care Specialists: Individuals looking to deepen their expertise in symptom management, holistic care, and ethical decision-making
- Medical Researchers: Professionals conducting research in palliative care, hospice medicine, or related healthcare fields
- Public Health Practitioners: Those involved in community health services, patient advocacy, or health promotion related to palliative care
- Healthcare Educators: Trainers and educators wishing to improve their understanding of palliative care principles for teaching purposes
- CPD Seekers: Professionals aiming to fulfil Continuing Professional Development (CPD) requirements while applying knowledge in practical care settings
This Level 3 Certificate is ideal for learners with prior experience in healthcare who are motivated to enhance patient-centred care, improve clinical outcomes, and advance their professional development in palliative care and hospice medicine.
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 palliative care, hospice medicine, or healthcare. 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, clinical simulation 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 palliative care and hospice medicine.
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.
