The LICQual Level 6 Diploma in Nutritional Support in Critical Care (Dip Critical Care Nutrition) is a specialised qualification designed for healthcare professionals seeking to advance their expertise in nutrition for critically ill patients. This Level 6 diploma equips learners with in-depth knowledge, practical skills, and professional competence required to assess, plan, and implement nutritional support in critical care settings. Ideal for dietitians, nutritionists, clinical practitioners, and healthcare professionals, this qualification enhances career prospects, broadens professional knowledge, and contributes to recognised Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
Learners will explore the science of metabolism, nutrient requirements, and clinical interventions specific to patients in intensive care, including those with complex medical conditions. The programme covers assessment of nutritional status, formulation of personalised nutritional plans, enteral and parenteral feeding techniques, monitoring of outcomes, and critical evaluation of evidence-based practice. Emphasis is placed on integrating clinical knowledge with practical application, ensuring learners are equipped to make informed, safe, and effective decisions in high-pressure environments.
Centres delivering the LICQual Level 6 Diploma in Nutritional Support in Critical Care are required to maintain the highest standards of training. This includes employing competent and qualified staff, providing comprehensive learning materials, and ensuring access to all necessary resources and facilities. Such measures create a supportive and effective learning environment, enabling learners to fully engage with the course content and achieve successful outcomes.
Upon completion, learners will possess advanced knowledge, applied skills, and professional confidence to deliver safe and effective nutritional support in critical care, improve patient outcomes, and make a meaningful contribution to clinical practice and multidisciplinary healthcare teams.
Course Overview
Qualification Title
LICQual Level 6 Diploma in Nutritional Support in Critical Care (Dip Critical Care Nutrition)
Total Units
6
Total Credits
120
GLH
480
Qualification #
LICQ2201082
Qualification Specification
To enroll in the LICQual Level 6 Diploma in Nutritional Support in Critical Care (Dip Critical Care Nutrition), applicants must meet the following criteria:
|
Qualification# |
Unit Title |
Credits |
GLH |
|---|---|---|---|
|
LICQ2201082-1 |
Foundations of Critical Care Nutrition |
20 |
80 |
|
LICQ2201082-2 |
Nutritional Assessment in Critical Care |
20 |
80 |
|
LICQ2201082-3 |
Enteral and Parenteral Nutrition |
20 |
80 |
|
LICQ2201082-4 |
Nutritional Support for Specific Conditions |
20 |
80 |
|
LICQ2201082-5 |
Research and Evidence-Based Practice in Critical Care Nutrition |
20 |
80 |
|
LICQ2201082-6 |
Professional Practice, Ethics, and CPD in Critical Care Nutrition |
20 |
80 |
By the end of this course, learners will be able to:
Unit 1: Foundations of Critical Care Nutrition
Learners will be able to:
- Explain the principles and theories of nutrition for critically ill patients
- Analyse metabolic changes and energy requirements in critical care
- Evaluate the impact of critical illness on nutrient utilisation and patient outcomes
- Apply foundational knowledge to plan appropriate nutritional support
Unit 2: Nutritional Assessment in Critical Care
Learners will be able to:
- Conduct comprehensive nutritional assessments using clinical, biochemical, and anthropometric methods
- Interpret clinical and laboratory data to determine patient-specific nutritional needs
- Identify risk factors affecting nutrition in critically ill patients
- Critically evaluate assessment methods to ensure accurate and reliable outcomes
Unit 3: Enteral and Parenteral Nutrition
Learners will be able to:
- Design and implement safe enteral and parenteral nutrition plans
- Apply evidence-based guidelines to feeding protocols and clinical practice
- Monitor patient response and adjust nutritional interventions accordingly
- Demonstrate practical competence in the administration of nutritional support
Unit 4: Nutritional Support for Specific Conditions
Learners will be able to:
- Develop tailored nutrition plans for patients with sepsis, trauma, organ failure, or metabolic disorders
- Evaluate clinical outcomes of nutritional interventions for specific critical illnesses
- Adapt nutritional strategies to complex and changing patient needs
- Integrate clinical reasoning with nutritional knowledge to support optimal patient care
Unit 5: Research and Evidence-Based Practice in Critical Care Nutrition
Learners will be able to:
- Critically appraise scientific research relevant to critical care nutrition
- Apply evidence-based principles to inform clinical decision-making
- Integrate research findings into practical patient care strategies
- Demonstrate the ability to use data and research to enhance professional practice
Unit 6: Professional Practice, Ethics, and CPD in Critical Care Nutrition
Learners will be able to:
- Demonstrate professional, ethical, and legal conduct in critical care nutrition practice
- Understand and apply relevant regulatory and professional standards
- Develop and implement a structured Continuing Professional Development (CPD) plan
- Reflect critically on personal and professional practice to improve competence and effectiveness
The LICQual Level 6 Diploma in Nutritional Support in Critical Care is designed for healthcare professionals and learners seeking advanced knowledge in clinical nutrition for critically ill patients. This course is ideal for:
- Dietitians and Nutritionists aiming to specialise in critical care and clinical nutrition
- Healthcare Practitioners such as nurses, physicians, and clinical support staff involved in intensive care units
- Clinical Researchers and Academics interested in advancing knowledge in critical care nutrition
- Medical and Healthcare Professionals looking to improve patient outcomes through evidence-based nutritional support
- Professionals Committed to CPD who wish to gain a recognised Level 6 qualification to enhance career progression
- Learners Working with High-Risk or Complex Patients who require specialised nutritional assessment and intervention
- Multidisciplinary Healthcare Teams seeking advanced training to optimise nutrition in critically ill patients
This course ensures learners gain advanced clinical knowledge, practical skills, and professional competence to provide effective nutritional support in critical care settings, improve patient outcomes, and contribute to multidisciplinary healthcare practice.
Centres delivering the LICQual Level 6 Diploma in Nutritional Support in Critical Care must adhere to high standards to ensure quality training and learner success. Key requirements include:
- Qualified and Competent Staff: Employ trainers with recognised qualifications and experience in critical care, clinical nutrition, dietetics, or related healthcare fields.
- Comprehensive Learning Resources: Provide detailed course materials, clinical reference texts, and digital resources to support theoretical and practical learning.
- Safe and Suitable Facilities: Ensure learning environments, whether in-person or blended, are well-equipped, safe, and conducive to effective teaching and learner engagement.
- Assessment and Feedback Systems: Implement robust procedures to evaluate learner progress, provide constructive feedback, and ensure achievement of learning outcomes.
- Commitment to CPD: Promote Continuing Professional Development for both learners and staff to maintain up-to-date knowledge and best practices in critical care nutrition.
- Health and Safety Compliance: Comply with relevant health and safety regulations to maintain a secure environment for all learners.
- Technology and Online Access: For online or blended delivery, provide reliable digital platforms, internet access, and technical support to facilitate interactive learning and assessments.
By meeting these requirements, centres ensure learners receive high-quality, internationally aligned training, enabling them to develop advanced skills in nutritional support for critically ill patients and confidently apply their knowledge in clinical practice.
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.
