Postgraduate Diploma in Science in Palliative and End of Life Care

Applications are now open for September 2024

In ATU Mayo our commitment to postgraduate palliative care education is founded on the intention of advancing the quality of life of people and their families experiencing life threatening illness, through continuing education of professionals employed in or wishing to advance their career in this area.

Our suite of postgraduate palliative and end of life education programmes consist of three strands (Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma and Master of Science) that provide for educational training and education for professionals at ATU-Mayo. This suite of programmes was developed in consultation with clinical experts in palliative and end of life care both nationally and internationally.   We provide a flexible learning environment.

Since first launched in 2019, this programme has proved extremely popular with practitioners and service providers and has been fully subscribed each year. Our programme team continually strive to maintain a practice-based approach incorporating current research and professional development requirements in our teaching and learning. Our programme content is informed by the WHO Guidelines for Palliative Care (2016) and the Palliative Care Competence Framework (HSE, 2014). We work very closely with our clinical expert partners in acute care and hospice care. Our lecturing staff include clinical experts in the palliative care field.    The programme delivery includes guest lectures and practical workshops delivered by clinical specialists in the area.    The teaching and learning frequently draw from clinical practice scenarios and assessments are applied in nature.

Our programmes use a blended online flexible approach with residential workshops (Thursday pm and Friday 9-6) every 3-4 weeks (4 times in semester 1 and 4 times in semester 2). The additional teaching and learning are online via tutorials, discussion groups and Moodle. The cost of overnight accommodation for the residential sessions and the core reference books are included in the fees.

Postgraduate Diploma in Palliative Care and End of Life Care

Today's work environment requires higher professional qualifications for professional development and career advancement. This 60-credit postgraduate diploma is tailored for students from a range of professional disciplines to further develop competencies in the field of palliative and end of life care at a advanced level.

This programme is designed to run over 9 months and has a clinical practice component for registered nurses. This programme is designed to develop specialist palliative care and leadership skills.

This programme offers Standalone Modules; this gives the student the opportunity to study a module of particular interest at Level 9 without undertaking the full programme.

The suite of modules are designed for all professionals who are working in areas that cater for persons with palliative and/or end of life care needs.

Who can apply?

Applications are welcome from all professionals such as;

• Doctors
• Pharmacists
• Physiotherapists
• Social workers
• Occupational therapists
• Speech therapists
• Health care assistants
• Receptionists
• Therapists
• Psychologists
• Social workers
• Managers
• Support staff
• Nurses

Applicants do not have to work in a specialist palliative care area to apply.

***Download our brochure here*** 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

The programme is designed around four key themes

1. Towards improved interdisciplinary professional understandings, principles and innovations in palliative and end of life care.
2. Improving person centred care within the context of palliative and end of life care.
3. Developing a systematic approach to enhancing the comfort and quality of palliative and end of life care.
4. Developing professional and ethical practice in the context of palliative and end of life care.

Programme Pathways

All students are invited to choose electives* relevant to their practice area.The suite of electives provides for this choice thus respecting the diversity of palliative and end of life care environments.

There are module choice requirements specific to medical and nursing professionals undertaking the programme.

There are also Clinical Nurse Specialist career pathways offered as part of this programme.

*Not all electives may run

Practice Focus

A key feature of the programme is the strong focus on ‘real practice' for the purposes of skill development, assessment and confidence building.

This will enhance understanding of the palliative care focus and approach to person care.

Lecture Structure

Lectures consist of discussion groups, presentations, debates, MS Teams etc. Guest lectures from practice experts is a key feature of this programme.

Online Teaching

Much of this programme is completed online. Lecture notes and reading material are provided. Blogs and discussion groups occur online which is very flexible for adult learners.

How often do I have to attend college for lectures?

This programme is specifically designed for busy professionals who cannot commit to weekly college attendance.

Instead, you attend college on four residential weekends in semester one and semester two only. This involves lectures all day on Thursday and until 1pm on Friday in ATU Mayo. B&B for the residential weekend is provided. 

Having completed this programme graduates will have developed enhanced contextual, cultural and professional insights into palliative and end of life care and will be equipped with a set of skills that will have a direct impact in the quality of care offered to persons and families in need of palliative and end of life care in your work area. These roles vary across the spectrum of health and social care.

Graduates of this programme will advance their career prospects in terms of promotion eligibility and post-graduate training. This may be in areas of management, practice development and/or specialist clinical areas such as palliative care.

On completion of the programme, registered nurses who meet the criteria may be eligible to apply for clinical nurse specialist in palliative care.

Entry Requirements

The entry requirements for undertaking this programme are:

• Honours Degree (H2.2) in any health or social care discipline or recognised cognate professional qualification.
• A minimum of one year's experience in delivering a palliative care approach within practice within the last two years.
• Be employed for the duration of the course in an area where the principles of palliative care are operationalized when caring for individuals with life threatening illness and their families. An example of such may be; Acute Hospitals, community hospitals, care homes, private practice, hospice and community health centers.  
• Applicants other than nurses, must be employed in a practice area which allows interaction with patients who have palliative/end of life care needs and, where appropriate, be registered with their respective professional body.

Additional entry requirements specific to nurses can be found here.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Applicants may use RPL as a means of accessing the programme. They can also use RPL to gain exemptions.  RPL can either be certified or experiential. 

ATU Mayo will assess individual applicants on a case-by-case basis, in line with the RPL Policy. RPL application is via the www.myexperience.ie website.

This is NMBI approved.

Fees and Funding

The Total Fees (EU Fees) for this programme can be found on our Fees & Funding webpage - Fees & Funding | ATU - Atlantic Technological University. 

***How to Apply***

Programme commences in September

This application route is for the Certificate programme, the Postgraduate Diploma programme and the Masters Programme.

For Registered Nurses Only

An additional checklist needs to be completed by the applicant’s Director of Nursing. 

This checklist relates to mentoring support within the practice placement module and organisation support for the applicant.

Click here for the Certificate/PG Dip/Masters in Palliative and End of Life Care checklist. ****It is an essential requirement that this checklist is completed.

Contact Us

Daniel Caldwell

Email: daniel.caldwell@atu.ie