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Careers, Recruitment & Workforce

FAQs

The list below contains the questions most frequently answered by the FICM regarding ACCP training, qualification, registration and employment. If your query is not answered, please contact us at contact@ficm.ac.uk

 

Who can train as an ACCP?
Any UK registered professional can train as an ACCP. The majority of registered ACCPs are nurses but other Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) such physiotherapists have also successfully trained as ACCPs. It is also envisaged that in future, Operating Department Practitioners (ODPs), Physicians Associates (PAs) and Anaesthesia Associates (AAs), when their regulating bodies allow independent prescribing, would be able to complete ACCP training and achieve FICM ACCP Member status.

 

Where can you train as an ACCP?

It is soon envisage that only HEI that offer a kite marked ACCP course regulated by the FICM will be allowed to register as FICM ACCP membership on successful completion of the course and clinical competencies.

As the curriculum mandates a parallel of academic and clinical practice training of ACCPs will occur in existing UK training centres approved for, at a minimum, Stage 1 and 2 ICM level training. The FICM considers that units who do not train this level of ICM CCT trainee would be unable to deliver the level of training required by the ACCP curriculum; as such the Faculty would not consider it appropriate for FICM Advanced Critical Care Practitioner Membership to be awarded to any ACCPs trained in units who do not receive this level of ICM CCT trainee. Whilst non-training units may be able to partner with a HEI and offer ACCP training to interested nurse and AHP colleagues, those trainees would not be eligible for any official Faculty recognition of that training, nor to apply for FICM Advanced Critical Care Practitioner Membership upon completion of their ACCP training programme. Any non-ICM training approved unit seeking to run ACCP training must make this prospectively clear to any applicants for their programme.

 

How do I know if the ACCP training programme I am applying for is appropriate?
We know that the term ACCP has been wrongly used to include any practitioner position regardless of the length, depth and quality of training. Ensure that the training programme you are undertaking complies with the tenets laid out within the FICM curriculum.  Be proactive and ask the local trainers whether the training programme adheres to the FICM curriculum and whether it will leave you eligible upon completion to apply for FICM Advanced Critical Care Practitioner Membership. In the future FICM plans to accredit HEI ACCP Training programmes at MSC level.

 

Is there a correct way to term training programmes for ACCPs?
Yes. Training programmes that adhere to the FICM ACCP Curriculum should be designated as ‘Advanced Critical Care Practitioner training in line with the FICM Curriculum.’ It should be noted in the material that those who complete the full training programme would be eligible for Advanced Critical Care Practitioner Membership of the Faculty. In the future FICM plans to accredit HEI ACCP Training programmes.

 

Where can you work as an ACCP?
Although training must occur in units accredited for Stage 1 and Stage 2 ICM CCT training, post-qualification trained ACCPs may work in any ICU. However FICM strongly recommend a robust process of CPD and supervision with clear local clinical governance arrangements

 

How long is training?

Training is two years, full time.

 

How do I register as an ACCP trainee with FICM?

All ACCPs in training are requested to register with the Faculty so we can keep you up to date of any useful developments and start to monitor the ACCP workforce. To register as a trainee with FICM please fill in the ACCP Trainee Registration Form and return it to contact@ficm.ac.uk

Please note that is does not automatically mean that you will be accepted as an Advanced Critical Care Practitioner Member of the Faculty.

 

Where can I find the curriculum?
Please visit the ACCP Curriculum page.

 

How do I become an ACCP Member?
Application is via the FICM website. Please visit the Advanced Critical Care Practitioner Membership page.

 

Which HEIs [Higher Educational Institutions] have ACCP courses?
At present the Faculty do not endorse, accredit or approve specific training programmes. In the coming years FICM plans to begin accreditation of HEI ACCP Training programmes. For more advice or to register for ACCP news and events please contact accpuk@gmail.com

 

Can I APEL previous relevant course modules towards my ACCP training?
Yes in conjunction with the HEI the APEL process where appropriate to the ACCP programme can be used.

 

Can you transfer overseas qualifications?
There is no formal route for this; currently the ACCP role is very clearly defined by the curriculum, benchmarking against overseas practice given the wide variation would require local ICU / HEI review and UK module and clinical competencies completion. Application for FICM Advanced Critical Care Practitioner Membership would be only possible based on successful matching of these.

 

How do I train ACCPs on my unit?
If you are a unit accepting stage 1 +2 trainees for ICM training ACCPs would involve:
  • Engagement with a local HEI to run an ACCP PGDip course (MSc in future).
  • Engagement of key stakeholders in our organisation to assess the possibility of the ACCP role being a viable workforce solution for your unit.
  • Plan the end point of training - most, if not all, ACCPs take a position on the medical rota. Be clear how this will work including supervision requirements.
  • Business case development -  early involvement of your divisional  managers and repeated "marketing" of the planned ACCP role in your strategic,  financial and workforce planning. Getting the Medical and Nursing Directors on board early is key.

 

Advice for employing ACCPs as part of a critical care unit
The ACCP sub committee has produce the above document as a quick check guide of things to consider when employing ACCPs in a critical care unit

 

What about regulation?
At present ACCPs need to retain their base professional registration with their regulatory bodies, this may alter in the future but currently there is no way to register the ACCP role separately.

 

What about revalidation?
You are bound by the revalidation rules from your base professional registering body. See advice on the toolkits section on how this may be achieved.

 

Code of Conduct

Pending formal regulation, trained Advanced Critical Care Practitioners (ACCPs) are expected to adhere to the code of conduct of their registering body. In addition, it is expected ACCPs: 

 

What about indemnity?

Working in a UK Trust you will have NHS indemnity, it is your responsibility to ensure you have appropriate Standard Operating Procedures ratified by your Governance structure - these should be very explicit around the issue of supervision.

Many ACCPs choose to take out additional personal cover via the MDDUS to provide additional insurance. You do not need to have this but as many of us do choose to have it for the additional security and independent legal advice with your interests as the focus.