Postgraduate Certificate in Critical Care

The course will provide opportunity for healthcare professionals to be forward thinking practitioners who are armed with ability to utilise current evidence-based practice and to problem solve in a more autonomous manner. When healthcare practitioners are more knowledgeable, they can challenge practice in order to advance patient care. The course will allow students to grow and develop as questioning and autonomous practitioners. This course is designed to develop your knowledge and understanding and ability to demonstrate application and clinical competence which will be evidenced through Critical Care Steps 2 competencies and Critical Care Steps 3 competencies.

Teaching

A range of teaching, assessment and learning activities will be used as a means of offering appropriately real life challenging learning opportunities, allowing flexibility and a range of resources that encourage engagement. Learning will be scaffolded week on week to build on and develop knowledge which can then be demonstrated in clinical practice. The course modules will be delivered in a flexible manner through a mixture of on campus and online virtual learning environment settings.

Assessment

Modules will be sequential to avoid assessment bunching and a range of different assessment types will be adopted as requested by clinicians and to meet Steps 2 and Steps 3 competencies.

Applicants must have a relevant degree. Applicants must be currently employed within a critical care environment and remain in that employment throughout the duration of the course. The Course Leader will use discretion to accept applications based on previous experience aligned to Step 1 and Step 2 competencies confirmed by line manager or education lead from the named Health Board. Applicants can only study this course with the permission and support of their employers. Applicants must hold a professional registration with the NMC or HCPC and be active on that said register and must have completed Step 1 competencies. Applicants will normally have 18 months critical care experience. Applicants with a minimum of 12 months experience will be considered if appropriate evidence of professional development is provided (e.g. completion of Step 1 competencies).