This section is about suitably preparing a registered health care professional (e.g. registrants with NMC, HCPC, senior carers registered with SSSC) for the roles of Practice Supervisors (PS) and Practice Assessors (PA) to support nursing and midwifery pre-registration students with their learning in practice.
Background
Following publication of the NMC Standards for Education and Training (updated in 2023), NHSGGC collaborated with other partner institutions and implemented a national approach for the suitable preparation of the roles of PS and PA. For NMC registrants, the preparation process is considered a professional development opportunity and the time spent may be counted as non-participatory CPD hours.
How do I become a Practice Supervisor or a Practice Assessor?
After discussing the opportunity with your line manager, go to the Practice Supervisors and Practice Assessors’ Learning Resource on Turas Learn to access the learning modules (located near the bottom of the page) or complete a self-assessment form.
The learning modules comprises six units. Completing units 1 to 4 provides evidence that you are suitably prepared to support students as a PS, and completing all 6 units will suitably prepare you as a Practice Assessor.
The self-assessment helps you to identify the knowledge and skills you already have in supporting learners, as well as any new learning that you may require. the self-assessment process will guide you to which units you need to undertake to support your development
Feel free to contact your local PEF or CHEF for further guidance and support, or email ggc.practiceeducation@nhs.scot.
Protected Learning Time
Scottish Executive Nurse Directors approved 16 hours of protected learning time to enable nursing and midwifery registrants from NHSGGC to undertake Practice Supervisor (10 hours) and Practice Assessor (additional 6 hours) preparation. This applies to you if you were not previously a mentor, sign-off mentor or practice teacher. Furthermore, you do not need to take protected learning time in a block and should receive support in line with service delivery needs.
If you are a newly registered nurse or midwife (NRN/M) graduated from a Scottish University, you should have undertaken practice supervisor preparation as part of your undergraduate programme and be “supervisor ready”. Therefore, as a NRN/M you should follow the pathway guidance below for your ongoing professional development.
NHSGGC Pathway Guidance for NMC Practice Supervisor and Practice Assessor Preparation
The pathway guidance for NMC Practice Supervisor and Practice Assessor preparation outlines the process that you, the registered health care professional, and your line manager must follow in order to prepare you for your role in supervising and/or assessing pre/post registration nursing and midwifery students.
Registered Health Care Professional
- Discuss this as professional development opportunity with your line manager
- Access Practice supervisors and practice assessors’ learning resource on Turas Learn (login required)
- Complete either online self-assessment form and activities for those preparing for the Practice Supervisor or Practice Assessor role. Your PEF/CHEF is available for support
- On completion of new learning, discuss/evidence this with line manager and confirm support
- Contact Practice Education Team to arrange HEI programme and Practice Assessment Document (PAD) session and further support
Registrant’s Line Manager
- Supportive discussion to agree to this professional development opportunity
- Discuss protected time. Please access Practice Supervisor / Practice Assessor Preparation – NHSGGC for details
- On completion, meet with registrant to discuss/review evidence of new learning
- Update your local training system or Practice Supervisor/Practice Assessor preparation list
- Inform Practice Education Team via to update QMPLE
- Enquire at Appraisal of their role and discuss future continuing professional development requirements
Allied Health Professionals as Practice Supervisors
Typically, Allied Health Professional (AHP) colleagues who are suitably prepared as PSs can sign-off on the Skills and Procedures sections of the PAD, but are not expected to act as the nominated Practice Supervisor.
More information about the preparation work needed for AHP colleagues.
You are welcome to contact your PEF / CHEF for further information and guidance.