Critical care foundation course for pharmacy technicians (Jan/Feb27)

About this event

This course has been designed for pharmacy technicians working in critical care or providing adhoc cover during times of surge, weekend cover or sickness.

Module 1 – Thursday 14 January, 4:00pm–6:00pm
Module 2 – Thursday 21 January, 4:00pm–6:00pm
Module 3 – Thursday 4 February, 4:00pm–6:00pm

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 7 days in advance of each module. 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. 

Attendance at Module 1 in its entirety is mandatory in order to progress to subsequent modules.

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 and 3.

Certificate of completion

Participants will receive a certificate of completion detailing each module attended and assessments 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

• Describe the common medicines used in a critical care setting.
• Apply knowledge of the critical care environment to appropriately advise the multi-professional team on the safe and appropriate use of medicines.
• Demonstrate leadership for the safe and secure handling and cost-effective use of medicines in a critical care environment.
• Understand CQC – SSHM audits, CD audits, knowledge of DO5/GPICSIII, HCDC and BlueTeq.
• Understand roles where pharmacy technicians can add value and demonstrate return on investment.
• Understand the value of learning from colleagues and peer/support networks.
• Demonstrate effective communication skills to deliver medicines reconciliation and medicines counselling in a critical care environment.
• Produce appropriate responses to medicines information queries within their own scope of practice (e.g. alternatives to solid dosage forms, interactions), liaising with the critical care pharmacist as required.

Module 3

• Haemodynamics, rational use of IV fluids and managing fluid balance.
• Cardiovascular support, including inotropes and vasopressors.
• 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.
• Neurological considerations including sedation, muscle relaxants, agitation, delirium, seizures and pain management.
• Respiratory failure and respiratory support.

Booking information

Reservation will close at midnight on Wednesday 30 December 2026, or earlier if maximum capacity is reached. Should this course not reach its minimum number, the UKCPA reserves the right to cancel the event.

This course is for healthcare professionals only.  If you are not a UKCPA member, or are not a verified non-member contact, and wish to attend this course, you must complete your event booking or membership application at least 10 working days before the registration deadline. This allows sufficient time for us to verify your eligibility.

Please note that if you do not respond to our requests to verify your status as a healthcare professional, your membership application or course booking may be cancelled.

Additional support

Once you 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.