Palliative Care – QQI Level 5

Course Overview

This Palliative Care Course is a QQI Level 5 Minor Award which is designed to provide the learner with the knowledge, skills, and competencies to understand how palliative care enhances the quality of life of those living with life-limiting progressive conditions and their families.

This component provides learners with an appreciation of the importance of the prevention and relief of suffering by means of early identification, assessment, and treatment of pain and other issues. It illustrates how to meet the physical, practical, social, emotional, and spiritual needs of patients and carers facing a progressive illness that may limit or shorten their lives including bereavement support.

Learners develop an understanding of the philosophy and principles of palliative care and recognise the different levels of palliative care and what is involved at each level. Learners examine palliative care as a multi-disciplinary approach and acquire communication skills to work effectively with a dying client and their palliative care team.

This programme is offered on a part-time or blended learning basis. Learners are required to complete 30 hours in a suitable care setting such as a Nursing Home or Hospital, where theoretical skills gained as part of their studies are put into practice. This affords learners the opportunity to reflect on their knowledge and understanding.