Critical Care PGCert

Program Overview

This Postgraduate Certificate in Critical Care equips healthcare professionals with advanced knowledge and skills to assess, manage, and provide evidence-based care for critically ill adults in the UK. Through simulated activities, work-based learning, and an emphasis on leadership and decision-making, the program prepares graduates for career advancement and specialization in critical care units. The program also fosters collaboration and continuous professional development.

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

This Postgraduate Certificate in Critical Care is designed for healthcare professionals working in critical care units in the UK. It aims to equip students with the necessary skills and knowledge to assess, care for, and manage critically ill adults. The program emphasizes an evidence-based approach, incorporating simulated activities and work-based learning to provide practical experience.

Objectives:

• Enhance skills and knowledge in the assessment and care of critically ill adults.
• Conduct a competent assessment of an acutely or critically ill patient.
• Manage a critically ill patient and tailor care to their specific needs.
• Utilize the Airway, Breathing, Circulation, Disability, Exposure (ABCDE) approach to assess and treat critically ill patients.
• Assess, plan, implement, and evaluate therapeutic interventions.
• Develop decision-making, clinical judgment, and problem-solving skills.
• Enhance leadership, management, and teamwork skills.
• Adopt an evidence-based approach to critical care.
• Understand the legal and ethical aspects of critical care.

Outline:

Semester One:

• Compulsory Module: APPLIED PHYSIOLOGY OF THE CRITICALLY ILL PATIENT (HEAL702) - 30 credits
• Focuses on revising and reinforcing knowledge of relevant physiology and pathophysiology in critical illness.
• Develops confidence in conducting a competent assessment and delivering safe and effective care.
• Includes lectures, seminars, and simulations to practice scenarios using the ABCDE approach.
• Assessment: Objective structured clinical skills examination (clinical skills and decision-making) and a short answer unseen exam (theoretical knowledge).
• Emphasizes leadership, management, and teamwork skills in critical care delivery.
• Focuses on analytical skills and competencies related to critical care practice.
• Enhances theoretical knowledge for complex decision-making using an evidence-based approach.
• Includes lectures, seminars, group work, and a quality improvement project.
• Assessment: 3000-word literature review and a presentation on the quality improvement project.
• Students also complete critical care competencies in practice, assessed by a qualified supervisor.

Teaching:

• Research-connected teaching and active learning are fundamental.
• Weekly interactive lectures, seminars, one-to-one tutorials, and group work.
• Simulated activities and work-based learning to develop clinical assessment and diagnostic skills.
• Each weekly session is conducted both in-person and over Zoom for flexibility.
• Sessions are recorded for revision and catch-up.

Assessment:

• Authentic assessments designed to mirror real-life tasks.
• Practical clinical skills exam, unseen short answer exam, extended literature review, and oral presentation.
• Assessments demonstrate critical thinking skills, clinical situation assessment, planning, and evaluation.

Careers:

• The course enhances employability with a focus on leadership, management, and teamwork.
• Graduates can plan and contribute to rehabilitation alongside a multidisciplinary team.
• The course is informed by the Critical Care National Network Nurse Leads standards and recommendations.
• Career progression opportunities in research, education, professional leadership, and practice development across critical care areas.
• Option to progress onto the MSc Nursing program.

Other:

• The School of Allied Health Professions and Nursing has over 100 years of teaching experience.
• The school is a hub for a network of professionals, academics, and researchers.
• The program provides specialist training with taught and clinical placement components.
• The University of Liverpool offers careers and employability support, including career planning, job market understanding, and networking skills.
• The program is based in the School of Allied Health Professions and Nursing.
• The program is informed by the UK standards and recommendations introduced by the Critical Care National Network Nurse Leads.
• The program includes a specific suite of core competencies applicable to critical care units.