Palliative Care

The programme will enable you to become a valuable member of the multidisciplinary team providing palliative care and further enhance the care provided to patients in your current area of practice who have a range of complex symptoms that need impeccable assessment and management.

How will I benefit?
On successful completion of the programme, you will receive a Graduate Certificate in Palliative Care from the UCD School of Nursing, Midwifery and Health Systems. The programme is recognised nationally and is a highly regarded qualification for health care professionals caring for patients with life limiting illness who require palliative care.

Vision & Values Statement
The Graduate Certificate Palliative Care programme is an academic based programme designed for students to deepen their knowledge and expertise in palliative care. The programme is based upon an andragogical approach to learning. Students are considered autonomous, self­-directed learners. Lecturers and preceptors are facilitators of goal directed knowledge acquisition. Learning is based upon building the competencies necessary within the scope of practice of public health nurses in the Irish environment. Students are co­-directors of knowledge development where lifelong learning is fundamental to best practice. A problem based approach using reflective practice allows for instruction relevant to individual practice. The programme employs other educational theories such as the Cognitive Flexibility Theory which focuses on restructuring knowledge to adapt to multi­dimensional situations, which is context dependent and students are encouraged to develop their own representations of information in order to properly learn. Building on from this, students are facilitated to actively use reflective practice as a learning tool. Theoretical learning takes place in the university and in the education facilities of our clinical partners.

This is a one (academic) year programme, broken down into two trimesters. Assessments are varied (assignments/ MCQ/case studies) and occur at intervals throughout and at the end of the trimesters.

Autumn Trimester NMHS42370 Pall Care,Phil, Concept 10.00

Autumn Trimester NMHS42540 Palliative Approaches Symp Mgt 10.00

Spring Trimester NMHS42820 Psychosoc & Spiritual Issues 10.00

How will I learn?
All modules are offered using a Blended Learning Approach utilising a range of teaching methods including lectures, workshops and seminars
Learning is facilitated by a multidisciplinary teaching team with particular emphasis on assisting students in applying theory to practice.

- Have a Graduate Diploma/Masters Degree (NQAI Level 9) in a health related discipline

- Nurse applicants must be registered on the live register maintained by An Bord Altranais

- Other health care professionals must be registered with a recognised professional body

Specific requirements:
- All applicants must have a minimum of two years post-registration experience

- Applicants must have exposure to either Level 2 or Level 3 Palliative Care, as indicated in the Report of the National Advisory Committee on Palliative Care (2001), for the duration of the course for a minimum of 75 hours per month.

- Non-clinicians need to demonstrate the application of their discipline to palliative care practice

- Ability to demonstrate an understanding of research in practice is desirable

- Evidence of recent study is desirable

Documents Required
Transcript(s) including date and grading of degree award (non UCD Graduates only) & notarised English translations where relevant

A current photocopy of NMBI registration

Copy of Birth Certificate or Personal Page of Passport

Professional Reference Form(original form)

Signed Declaration Form from employer (original form)

Completed Clinical Competence Assessor Nomination Form signed by the nominee

Evidence of proficiency in English language (applicants whose first language is not English)

How to Apply?
The following entry routes are available:
Grad Cert Palliative Care PT (X733)
Duration
Attend
Part Time
Deadline
Rolling*

* Courses will remain open until such time as all places have been filled, therefore early application is advised.

1 year part-time

The Graduate Certificate Palliative Care will provide you with knowledge and skills required for caring for patients with life limiting illness who require palliative care.