Advanced Critical Care

To join this course, you should have a degree equivalent to UK first-class or second-class honours (2:2 or above) in a professional healthcare related subject and must be registered with a UK Professional Body and hold a health-related professional qualification.

You must have successfully completed the adult critical care competencies at step one of the national framework and be able to demonstrate that you are an experienced practitioner, typically with at least two years in practice (or equivalent).

You will require access to appropriate supervised practice in a suitable clinical area and will need to provide a reference from your line manager to confirm support arrangements and your suitability for the course.

If you don’t have an honours degree, you may still be considered for the programme if you can demonstrate extensive practice experience through your professional portfolio. This might include, for example, evidence of comprehensive knowledge of the discipline, an in-depth awareness of current issues relating to critical care, evidence of critical analysis skills, and an ability to evaluate evidence drawn from your area of practice or previous academic study.

An interview will form part of the selection process.

The PGCert in Advanced Critical Care is designed to enhance the skills of practitioners such as registered nurses and operating department practitioners. It will enable you to become a clinical expert who is able to work safely and effectively in critical care practice, meeting the Step Two and Step Three competencies of the National Competency Framework for adult critical care nurses. A systems-based approach is used throughout the course to reflect the national standards for adult critical care education. You will acquire effective leadership skills and gain the knowledge and confidence needed to develop others in the delivery of high quality and compassionate care to patients with complex critical care needs.