Developing Practice Manager

Job/Role Summary

• Lead the development of the Trust’s strategic approach to developing practice through experiential learning
• Lead the implementation of the REACH project which involves promoting the REACH ethos internally and externally to the Trust
• Work with Universities and professional bodies to gain accreditation for the REACH framework through the Developing Practice Pathway for accreditation of experiential learning
• Responsible for the ongoing development of REACH and the evaluation of its impact at workplace and organisational levels
• Responsible for the promotion of the framework
• Responsible for the dissemination of evaluative information, internally to the organisation, nationally and internationally
• Facilitate learning opportunities including facilitative reflective practice such as Action Learning and Clinical Supervision
• Lead the delivery of programmes such as Facilitation of Personal Development and the Facilitation in Practice Module.

Specific qualifications and experience required

• Registered general nurse on NMC register
• Educated to Masters level or able to demonstrate equivalent level of academic development
• Post-graduate certificate in life-long learning (Facilitating learning )
• Evidence of facilitation skills
• Experience of project management
• Demonstrate leadership skills
• Experience in practice development work
• Evidence of budget management
• Demonstrate a knowledge of current nursing issues
• Ability to work as part of a team
• Excellent communication skills
• Computer literate
• Ability to systematically collect data
• Ability to write reports
• Ability to present at conferences.

Career Milestones

Undertaking my degree in Professional Development in Nursing led to a passion for challenging nursing practice. As a staff nurse in Cardiology my interest in developing nursing practice at the bedside grew. That growing interest in education and development extended to patient care and I spent three years as a Practice Nurse running Well-person clinics and was very involved in patient education and health promotion. My interest in education and development increased over the next number of years and while a participant in the Clinical Nurse Leadership programme I was asked to plan my career pathway. It became very apparent to me that I wished to become further involved in practice development type work. I spent the next spent 2 years as a Clinical Education Facilitator in Cardiology and I was a member of the project team who developed the REACH project in my Trust which I later went on to project manage. Following this time I was appointed as the Developing Practice Manager.

What attracted you to this job?

• Opportunity to lead work which would have an impact on nursing practice leading to a Trust strategic approach to developing practice through integrated professional experiential learning
• Passionate belief in work with Universities and professional bodies to gain accreditation for the REACH framework and developing practice pathway for the accreditation of learning at the bed-side with patients

Enjoyable aspects of the job/role

• Challenging current nursing practice
• Facilitating groups of nurses to assist them to develop their practice and to grow both personally and professionally
• Networking with other organisations to impact on the development of nursing practice; influencing Universities and Professional bodies to gain accreditation for the REACH framework and recognise the value of experiential learning

Important success factors

• Formal development opportunities such as the Clinical Nurse Leadership program
• Post Grad. Cert. in Facilitation
• This course has greatly enhanced my development as a facilitator of others
• Clinical supervision / Action Learning
• Being a member of the nursing Development team I receive effective role supervision which has enabled personal and professional growth

Advice for those considering the type of job/role?

Practice development work is very satisfying. It is important to develop good facilitation skills as facilitation is pivotal to assisting practitioners to question their practice. The focus of Practice development is on sustainable change, this type of work is not the ‘fast fix’ so it is important to have a long-term view of where you are going and how much you can achieve on the way. Ensure that you have a good support system in place. Be prepared for change.

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

• Facilitation Skills
• Skills in networking and influencing Nursing
• Organisation skills
• Communication Skills

Career Profiles