Clinical Educator 1

Job/Role Summary

Acting as staff advocate, providing guidance and motivation during preceptorship. I engage with post registration staff to identify learning needs and career development. I also work with our International Nursing Staff during their OSCE preparation. i provide pastoral care, developing learning/training programmes, audit learning outcomes and evaluate learning/training programmes. I liaise with colleagues in other directorates to provide a shared vision for nurse development.

Specific qualifications and experience required

Registered nurse with experience in: student mentorship; preceptorship; experience with ward base nursing; facilitation skills; evidence of post registration academic study focusing on nurse learning and development.

Career Milestones

I commenced my nursing career as a nursing auxiliary. I completed my nurse training and moved into the clinical field of Renal Nursing, specialising in Haemodialysis. I progressed through the nursing career ladder to Deputy Ward Sister before transferring to a new role as Clinical Educator. During my clinical career I completed my academic studies reaching my goal of Msc in Developing Practice in Health Care.

What attracted you to this job?

I have always enjoyed supporting learning and development especially within my speciality. Moving to the Clinical Educator position provided a wider audience to support, from our non-registered staff to newly qualified nurses, senior nurses and international nursing staff.  As the Clinical Educator post was a new initiative within my directorate it gave me the opportunity to develop the function and role from a ‘clean slate’.

Enjoyable aspects of the job/role

Engaging with newly qualified staff nurses.  Freedom to explore new ways to support learning and development.

Challenging aspects of the job/role

Supporting learning and development within the difficult and challenging environment of staffing levels, that at times is not always sympathetic to the need to grow the knowledge and skills of staff.

Important success factors

Developing an advocate and pastoral support between staff and the role/function of the Clinical Educator. Developing a successful international nurse OSCE support programme. Developing a more standardised approach to preceptorship within a large directorate.

Advice for those considering the type of job/role?

Experience all roles that support staff; student mentorship , new staff preceptorship. Build your own facilitation skills through reflection and academic studies. Become involved in learning and development within your ward/clinical area, directorate and Trust. 

Key skills that can be gained within this job/role?

Skills that I feel are essential to the role: Diplomacy, Patience and Resilience.

Career Profiles