Professional Officer NIPEC

Job/Role Summary

• Contributing to the development and implementation of the NIPEC corporate strategy and business plan mainly in relation to the quality assurance and approval arrangements for nursing, midwifery, specialist community public health nursing education and continuing professional development
• Participating in NIPEC’s remit to influence a wide range of statutory, voluntary and independent sector organisations through its work in the development of nursing, midwifery and health visiting practice, education and performance
• Involvement in NIPEC’s development framework with particular regard to the broader learning agenda but specifically in relation to Portfolio development, as a strategy to gather evidence of ongoing continuing professional development and the maintenance of professional competence

Specific qualifications and experience required

• Registration with the NMC as a nurse, midwife or specialist community public health nurse
• A teaching qualification (recorded with the NMC) in nursing, midwifery or specialist community public health nursing
• A degree and / or a higher degree in nursing, sociology, biological sciences, education
• A minimum of two years’ experience within the last eight in nurse or midwifery education and a sound knowledge of the statutory regulation of the above professions
• Experience in curriculum design and management
• The capacity to make a contribution to the development and dissemination of nursing, midwifery and specialist community public health nursing.
• Knowledge and practice
• The capacity to contribute to strategic planning within the organisation
• The possession of effective communication skills
• Computer literate and the ability to use Microsoft Word
• Effective organisational skills with a proven ability to work within competing priorities and ensure deadlines are met

Career Milestones

The first job which I considered a career milestone (that is, it made a significant impact on my personal and professional development) was my post as a District Nursing Sister in Edinburgh not long after I completed the District Nursing Course. I was attached to a four-partner group practice and led a small team of community nurses. It was quite a daunting experience but I had a very experienced colleague attached to another team of GPs in the same building who became my mentor and helped me to develop my management skills. The next job which had many steep learning curves and lots of different challenges and opportunities for development was when I worked for 10 years as a nurse tutor in a college of nursing in Northern Ireland. This was a good working environment which was well-resourced and managed and gave me lots of opportunities to develop a wide range of skills; teaching pre and post-registration nurses and liaising closely with clinical colleagues on a number of projects. These included the introduction of care management into community care and the transition of nursing education from colleges of nursing to university settings.

What attracted you to this job?

The diversity of the work and the fact that I would be working with a wide range of education and service providers throughout Northern Ireland. The type of work which, although there were areas that were familiar to me in my former role as a nurse educator, presented new and diverse challenges.

Enjoyable aspects of the job/role

• The diversity of the work within NIPEC
• Working in partnership with a wide range of education and service providers throughout Northern Ireland
• Being involved with the Development Framework

Important success factors

Support and guidance from colleagues both inside and outside the organisation. The opportunity to participate in a wide range of education-related activities in addition to monitoring and approval. Being involved in the Development Framework and seeing how it has grown into something that will make a major contribution to the professional development of nurses and midwives in NI.

Advice for those considering the type of job/role?

You will need significant experience in nurse/ midwifery education and practice; this should include curriculum design and programme management. The post holder needs to be able to work collaboratively with a wide range of stakeholders and have a good grasp of the regulatory functions and remit of the NMC. A sense of humour is essential and the ability to be flexible and multi-task would be an advantage.

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

• The ability to prioritise and organise my time more effectively.
• The ability to negotiate and deal with problems more effectively. This job involves contact with many diverse groups and stakeholders. Upholding the values of the profession and organisation (NIPEC) is paramount

Career Profiles