This course is aimed primarily at nurses, paramedics and allied healthcare professionals who work within acute, emergency and critical care environments who wants to become an advanced critical care practitioner.

Applicants who have successfully completed a non-medical prescribing course at another UK HEI and have registered this qualification with their professional body will automatically be granted Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) of 40 CATS points towards the Independent and Supplementary Prescribing module in year 2. Applicants will be required to provide original evidence of their qualification and professional registration of this qualification.

The Advanced Critical Care Practitioner curriculum is based around the 4 pillars of advanced practice: Clinical, Research, Education and Leadership. The degree program weaves these four pillars though the core and optional modules presented below.

The course is modular and organised in blocks of study lasting between four and six days at a time, which can be consecutive days within the same week or spread out over several weeks.

PG Certificate (60 CATS points):

• Clinical Examination and Diagnostic Skills for Health Care Professionals (40 CATS)
• Understanding Research and Critical Appraisal in Healthcare (Distance Learning) (20 CATs)
  
  

PG Diploma (120 CATS points): The PG Certificate modules above plus:

• Independent and Supplementary Prescribing (40 CATs)
• Critical Care Skills for Advanced Critical Care Practitioners (20 CATs)
  
  

MSc (180 CATS points): The PG Certificate and Diploma modules above plus:

• Professional Project (40 CATs)
• One optional module (see choices below)

Most modules can also be taken as a standalone Postgraduate Award.

Optional modules

• Introduction to Leadership and Management in Health Care Contexts (20 CATs)

• Work-based Learning (20 CATs)
• Essentials of Clinical Education (20 CATs)

Induction module

Before completing the course, you will undertake the Induction and Professional Development module, introducing you to all the underpinning regulations, guidance, and support available to you during your postgraduate study.

Applicants should:

- be 4 years post qualification/registration
- be in a clinical post at Band 6 or above in a trainee ACP post or similar
- have current registration with the Nursing and Midwifery Council, Health Care Professionals Council or Royal Pharmaceutical Society
- Hold a BSc degree at 2nd class level, or evidence of Level 7 study.

Those without the academic qualifications will have a telephone interview with the course director for a special case request to be made.

English language requirements: Band A with specific component scores of 6.5 in reading and writing.

This is an interactive programme. You will learn through lectures and seminars, practical group work and guided reading. The course will delivered via a blended learning approach using face to face and online learning. You will benefit from guided discussions and have the opportunity to practise the skills you have learnt during the sessions.

Assessment for each module can be seen by looking at the relevant module page but typically consists of written essays of 4,000 words each, a clinical portfolio and/or an Objective Structured Long Examination Record (OSLER). The Professional Project is assessed by a 4,000 word project report and a poster presentation.