Unit 1: Working with A Palliative Care Approach

• Definition of  the terms ‘palliative care’ and ‘end-of-life care’ 
• The terms ‘cancer’ and a ‘life-limiting illness’ 
• Understanding the philosophy and principles of palliative care 
• The role of national end-of-life care standards 
• The structure and organisation of specialist palliative care services 
• The roles and responsibilities of the specialist palliative care team and the multi-disciplinary team, when
  caring for a person diagnosed with a life-limiting illness 
• Recognising the diversity of family structures and their supportive role as the primary carers 
• Common fears and anxieties that may be experienced by the person diagnosed with a life-limiting illness and also by his/her family, carers and significant others 
• Developing a sensitive approach to persons experiencing altered body image 
• The role of the support worker, in promoting the following for a person diagnosed with a lifelimiting
  illness: 
  • autonomy and respect for personal decision making 
  • self esteem and a sense of worth 
  • quality of life 
• Environmental issues which impact on palliative care and end of life care provision 
• The impact on the person, his/her family, carers and significant others of being diagnosed with
  a life-limiting illness and their associated coping mechanisms 
• Coping mechanisms for dealing with personal losses from the past

 Unit 2: Communication Skills

• Effective communication skills with those who display emotions such as anger, fear, sadness, depression,
  withdrawal or confusion
• Effective communication skills with those who have communication difficulties, for example hearing impairment or speech difficulties 
• Personal strengths and weaknesses in communicating with the dying person and his/her family, carers and significant others 
• The influence of personal attitudes and feelings when communicating with dying persons and their families 
• Promoting an environment that allows the dying person and his/her family, carers and significant others to express fears and emotions, including the use of touch and silence 
• Understanding of cultural and religious diversity, in relation to caring for a person, diagnosed with a life-limiting illness, his/her family, carers and significant others and also in the last days and hours of life 
• The role of the various members of the healthcare team when communicating information to the dying person and his/her family 
• Communicating information received from the dying person and his/her family to members of the healthcare team 
• Strategies for seeking advice and assistance from members of the healthcare team.

Unit 3: Caring for People with Specific Needs

• A person-centred approach to caring for a person in the last days of their life 
• Supportive, holistic care for the person while promoting safety, dignity, respect and comfort 
• The role of the support worker, in meeting the needs of the person during the last days of life, who is experiencing:
  • total pain 
  • fatigue 
  • nausea and vomiting 
  • breathlessness 
  • constipation 
  • diarrhoea 
  • sore mouth/dry mouth 
  • swallowing difficulties 
  • altered state of consciousness 
• The role of the support worker in meeting the needs of the person with a syringe driver or a medication patch 
• Responding appropriately to the needs of the person who is confused or restless in the last days and hours of life 
• The diverse signs and symptoms that death is imminent 
• Duties after a person has died, in accordance with local workplace policy and in a way that is respectful to the deceased person and their belongings 
• The needs of specific vulnerable groups, in relation to death, dying and bereavement. For example:
  • children
  • people with intellectual disabilities
  • people with mental health problems 

Unit 4: Bereavement Care

• Understanding individual patterns of grief and loss 
• Why the support worker must respond sensitively to the family, carers and significant others and also other patients/ service users and colleagues when a patient/ service user is dying and after they die. 
• Awareness that some people’s grief may go unrecognised. For example: 
  • people with intellectual disabilities 
  • divorced or separated spouses 
  • people living or working in residential care settings 
• Awareness of how to access bereavement information and the services and support available to families,
  carers, significant others and themselves

Component Certificate in Palliative Care Approach (FETAC Level 5)

Certificate in Palliative Care Approach (The College of Progressive Education)

This course is designed for those people working, or planning to work, with people who are at this stage of their life cycle in a paid or voluntary capacity. This is one of the elective modules for the Healthcare Support cetificate FETAC level 5 DHSXX.

• Provide holistic care for clients at this stage of their life cycle
• Develop and acquire effective communication skills with the client and the family members
• Recognise and respect the individual's uniqueness at this stage of life
• Recognise the importance of working as a team to ensure quality care for the individual client.

There are no specific entry requirements. Minimum age is 17 years.

Learners must also be capable of undertaking assessment work to Ordinalry Level Leaving Certificate standard.

Learners must also submit a letter detailing how and where they are going to obtain their work experience.

International learners undertaking this course should have confidence in their English language, reading, writing and comprehension skills and have at least a 5 IELTS score or equivalent

Learners must be working with an individual or individuals who are receiving palliative care and must also gain experience of working with a person who is in the end stages of life. A minimum of 20 hours work experience is required during the programme.

Learner Record - 70%
Assignment - 30%

6 Months including 2 Saturdays

FETAC Level 5 Health Support Certificate (DHSXX)

Practical Home Care Skills - FETAC Level 5 Component Certificate

Care Worker

Family support member