Recruitment for ACCPs

ACCPs are experienced healthcare professionals in the critical care team. They are able to take histories, examine patients, undertake investigations, diagnose pathologies and treat all manner of adult patients within a Critical Care setting.  They perform high level clinical decision making, liaise with specialist teams and work as an integral part of a consultant led service.

It is acknowledged that the role described crosses the professional boundaries of many functions within critical care, including medicine, nursing, technical, physiotherapy and clinical pharmacology.

As of April 2019 as per The Human Medicines (Amendment) Regulations 2018 No. 199, non-medical prescribing is available for Paramedics.
 

Who can train as an ACCP?

Any UK registered professional can train as an ACCP i.e. nurses and AHPs. The majority of registered ACCPs are nurses but other Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) such physiotherapists have also successfully trained as ACCPs. 

The ACCP Sub-Committee have produced a document which aims to provide information from selection through to qualification for Advanced Critical Care Practitioners (ACCPs) leading towards FICM Advanced Critical Care Practitioner Membership which can be found here.
 

Trainee ACCP selection requirements

• Trainees must be a NMC, HCPC or GPhC registered professional, eligible to undertake Non-Medical Prescribing qualification*As current legislation stands, this would not include ODPs
• Trainees must have appropriate recent Critical Care experience
• Trainees must be able to demonstrate evidence of continuing professional development in Critical Care
• Trainees must have a bachelor-level degree or be able to demonstrate academic ability at degree level
• Trainees must have successfully completed a robust selection process which includes a clinical and academic assessment
• Trainees must be in a substantive, recognised ACCP post, having successfully met individual trust selection procedure in terms of skills and relevant experience
• Trainees must be entered into a programme leading to an appropriate Postgraduate Diploma/Masters degree with a Higher Education Institution. This programme must include Non-Medical Prescribing
• It is recommended the interview and selection process includes the following:
  • Clinical interview
  • HEI academic interview
  • SIM/OSCE-based selection

What are the next steps?

If you wish to explore the ACCP role further we would recommend you do the following;

1. Talk to existing ACCPs in your Hospital, either those already qualified or trainees working through the programme.
2. Talk to the ACCP Lead locally
3. Contact the ICM Regional Advisor for further information on ACCP roles within the region
4. Contact local HEI’s for further details of suitable courses in your area and the application process.