Developing a Clinical Supervision Network

RRV with blurred paramedic

As an organisation, we need to have a way to appraise how our clinical staff deliver care and a mechanism to provide feedback for all our people, particularly those outside of a learner journey.

We have been working with the HCPC and the College of Paramedics to update our Clinical Supervision Policy, which is now available in the policy library.

The purpose of the clinical supervision policy is: 

  • To embed a culture that values and achieves effective clinical supervision.
  • To ensure clinical supervision is educational and supportive, enabling professional development and growth.
  • To ensure clinical supervision is available to all patient facing staff.
  • To establish a system of clinical supervision that is inclusive, accessible, flexible, built on trust and meets the needs of supervisees.
  • To create a shared understanding of the purpose of clinical supervision.
  • To ensure that our patient facing workforce are competent and skilled in the role they undertake.

We are now in the process of recruiting for the Clinical Supervision Network. This role will provide clinical supervision and is independent and complementary of any existing Mentorship Support & Training Team (MSTT).  More information on how to apply will be detailed in Need to Know in due course.

The Network will initially begin recruiting in two sectors. This will be Cambridgeshire and Peterborough and Suffolk and North East Essex. We will use these first two sectors as a pilot phase before rolling out to the final four sectors and other departments.

Every member of clinical staff will have a period of supervision at least twice a year. If you are on a learner journey or in a preceptorship phase, this will be four times a year.

 

Commonly asked questions

How many people will a clinical supervisor look after?

Those on mentorship, support and training team (MST-T) vehicles will continue as they are (longer term support as individually identified). Other clinical supervisors will support a supervision group of 20 colleagues.

 

Is this change applicable to MST-T practice educators?

Currently not all areas have MST-T vehicles, but we have ambition to expand this provision as it is recognised as best practice.

 

There is no mandate for colleagues on MST-T lines to move to this new role, but they may do so if they wish where they meet the clinical supervisor job role description (and can maintain their position on their MST-T line).

 

Where will this role fit into the existing / new structure, and who will I report to?

As mentioned above, the role complements the existing MST-Teams. One is not the line manager for the other.

 

Clinical Supervisors report to their respective existing LOMs and there is no change in line management or line management responsibility.

Will section 2 apply if I am recruited to this role?

Yes, with any recruitment into a new job, section 2 will apply now. This may be a consideration an applicant may need to make.

 

Secondments may be an option if this is a prohibitive element. Please contact your local T&E Lead LOM who can consider if you would be appropriate and if there are any suitable gaps.

 

Will I come off my rota line?

Those on an MST-T line will maintain this. Those that are applying otherwise will come off a rota line but work alongside a group of 20 colleagues.

 

This could be a fixed rota pattern, but working around the group of colleagues in turn, but will not have a regular crewmate.

Can senior technicians be clinical supervisors?

Not in the pilot phase. There may ambition to develop a practice supervisor role for senior technicians, dependent on the pilot outcome, but we will review this.

 

What about SPUCs, APUCs, SPCCs and APCCs

This is not included in the pilot phase but will be looked at once we have an established clinical supervision network for the non-specialist workforce.

 

Will the role hold rank?

No. Epaulettes should detail your scope of practice role (what you can do clinically). You will be provided with a badge that identifies you as a clinical supervisor though.

 

Will I be given time to feedback?

There will be a 15-minute standdown option for debriefs within the shift window and most feedback will be verbal. We will review this though as part of the pilot evaluation.

How will I record my feedback?

The majority of the feedback will be verbal only (so the paperwork burden is light). There will be a short e-form to complete to record its completion which is mainly tick boxes and this will be completable on the iPADs.

 

What if a colleague needs development support?

Your area existing AGM T&E Lead LOMs will lead on this based on your feedback as a clinical supervisor, supported by

  • Sector Education & Training Officers (Apprentices)
  • Sector Clinical Practice Specialists (NQPs)
  • Sector Clinical Leads (all other staff)

 

The benchmark for the supervision will be based on the supervisee work within the JRCALC guidelines and any other EEAST policy.

How long is the supervision period?

A supervision period will need to be a minimum of four hours.

Twice a year for clinical staff and four times a year for those on an education development pathway.

 

Additional time can be recommended if you see insufficient cases or breadth of patients to make the coaching and feedback meaningful.

Can I fail a clinical supervision assessment?

No, it is not pass or fail.

 

It is a supportive coaching process. If you have additional development support needs, these can be identified. If there are areas of concern, this can be escalated to the T&E Lead LOM with support from

 

  • Sector Education & Training Officers (Apprentices)
  • Sector Clinical Practice Specialists (NQPs)
  • Sector Clinical Leads (all other staff)

 

These colleagues can pick these up through a professional discussion to make sure you are supported.

Can clinical supervisors continue to support operational training such as professional update for role (PU/ECS), or other programmes such as wound closure / practice educator workshops?

 

Yes, although not an absolute requirement.

 

You will need to be available to support the supervision group of 20 colleagues, but there is likely time around this for either normal patient facing shifts or alternative work, such as training.

 

 

Published October 26th 2021