Critical care foundation course for pharmacists

About this event:

This course has been designed for pharmacists starting out in critical care, usually with less than 6 months experience, or those in need of a refresher of the basics of critical care pharmacy practice. 

It is ideally suited for pharmacists working in critical care or providing adhoc cover to critically ill patients during times of surge, weekend cover or sickness.

Module 1 – Thursday 4 September, 4pm – 6pm.
Module 2 – Thursday 18 September, 4pm – 6pm.
Module 3 – Thursday 2 October, 4pm – 6pm.
Module 4 – Thursday 16 October, 4pm – 6pm.

Some preparation, including mandatory pre learning, is required prior to attending each module. This will be detailed in the resource booklet which will be emailed to participants 10 to 14 days in advance of each module. Pre-learning for modules 2,3 and 4 includes viewing a number of videos prepared by the expert speakers and are intended to cover some of the fundamental learning required for foundation practice.

It is important that participants take time to access these resources; some will contain information which may not be covered in detail during the course and the tutors will assume that you have read them. 

Delegates are expected to actively participate in the case studies and discussions during the online sessions. Access to a device with a microphone and camera are required for modules 2, 3 and 4.

Certificate of completion

Participants will receive a certificate of completion detailing each module attended and assessment taken. To successfully pass each module, participants need to achieve a 60% pass mark in the online multiple choice assessments.

Modules covered:

Module 1

• Introduction to the role of the pharmacist and pharmacy technician in supporting critical care environments, prioritising patient-care activities and dealing with immediate ethical and legal issues and the safe supply of medicines.
• Introduction to the adult critical care environment, including levels of care, monitoring and invasive devices.
• The critically ill adult patient cohort, supporting medicines reconciliation at transitions of care between the ward and ICU and vice versa; common medication administration issues, and communication issues in critical illness.
• Systematic body-systems approach to reviewing critically ill patients.
• Supportive bundles of care to ensure basic needs are met such as eye care, VAP prevention, bowel management, gastrointestinal protection.

Module 2

• Haemodynamics, rational use of IV fluids and managing fluid balance
• Cardiovascular support, including inotropes and vasopressors.

Module 3

• Infections in critically ill patients, including sepsis, septic shock and hospital-acquired infections
• Critical illness pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic considerations.
• Renal and hepatic impairment, including acute kidney injury and renal replacement therapies.

Module 4

• Neurological considerations including sedation, muscle relaxants, agitation, delirium, seizures and pain management.
• Respiratory failure and respiratory support

Learning outcomes:

• To describe the key symptoms that may occur at the end of life
• To explain the management of symptoms
• To discuss where pharmacy professionals can support patients and families to ensure that they have access to the right medicines in their preferred place of care and death.

Booking information:

Reservation will close at midnight on 21 August 2025, or earlier if maximum capacity is reached. Should this course not reach its minimum number, the UKCPA reserves the right to cancel the event.

It is mandatory that delegates attend Module 1 in full in order to access subsequent modules.

Additional support

Once you have have completed Module 1, you will be added to the UKCPA Critical Care Foundation Course private forum on the UKCPA Portal. This is a private discussion and support area exclusively for practitioners who have attended the UKCPA critical care foundation courses. You’ll be able to ask questions, post responses, continue discussions around the patient cases you’ve seen, and access resources for your ongoing development.

If you are not a member or guest account holder of the UKCPA but wish to attend this course, your guest account or membership application must be completed by 14 August 2025.  Please note that the administration and activation of membership or guest accounts can take up to 7 working days, longer during periods of office closure.