AHP Professional Development Framework

The value and expertise of Allied Health Professionals (AHPs) in supporting and caring for critically ill patients and their families/carers has increased in prominence over the past few years, with both academic studies and local patient stories highlighting the unique set of skills they bring to Critical Care.

Despite this added value it is surprising that professional career pathway guidance for those AHPs wishing to specialise in critical care has never been published. As the UK’s leading multiprofessional Intensive Care community the Intensive Care Society (ICS) with support from Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine (FICM) has commissioned and been actively involved in the development and publication of this document, the first ever Allied Health Professionals: Critical Care Professional Development Framework.

Both the Intensive Care Society and Faculty of Intensive Care Medicine recognise the role of AHPs in not only caring for critically ill patients and supporting their families, but also in a range of activities central to driving the service forwards. Innovation, education, research and leadership are key examples on which this document offers clear career planning guidance.