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Join our Preceptorship programme
The beginning of a newly registered practitioner's career can be challenging. The experiences people have at the beginning can shape how they grow in their career. To ensure the best possible start for newly registered clinicians, a quality preceptorship programme is essential.
Our preceptorship programme has been award the National Preceptorship for Nursing Interim Quality Mark. We recognise the importance of promoting professional development so people can grow and thrive here. Read more on the programme we provide below.
Precetorship
A preceptorship should be a structured period of transition for the newly registered clinician when they start employment in the NHS. During this time, they should be supported by an experienced practitioner (a preceptor). The goal is to develop the confidence of the newly-registered individual as an independent professional, and to refine their skills, values and behaviours. Having expert support, and learning from best practice in dedicated time gives a foundation for lifelong learning and allows them to provide effective patient-centred care confidently.
We offer a robust and supportive preceptorship programme for all newly-registered clinicians within the following staff groups:
- Dietitians
- Health visitors
- Internationally educated staff
- Individuals who have completed a return to practice programme
- Nurses
- Nursing associates
- Occupational therapists
- Physiotherapists
- Podiatrists
- Psychological wellbeing practitioner's
- School nurses
We also offer preceptorship to experienced clinical staff who may require support to transition across to a new area of practice.
The Trust’s preceptorship programme lasts for 12 months. During this time, you will be supported by our Clinical Practice Development Lead and be allocated a preceptor in your workplace (an experienced member of staff who can offer you regular support). You will also attend dedicated preceptorship study days and work towards completing competencies. This programme is designed to help you become more confident and competent, making your transition phase from student to healthcare practitioner is as smooth and supportive as possible.
The preceptorship study days are inclusive for all staff groups, for all staff to meet others and learn from different professionals. Content of the study days include:
- Accountability
- Career development
- Career conversations
- Communication
- Dealing with conflict/managing difficult conversations
- Delivering safe care
- Emotional intelligence
- Human factors
- Leadership
- Quality improvement
- Resilience
- Reflection
- Restorative supervision
- Safe staffing/raising concerns
- Team working
- Medicines management (where relevant)
- Interprofessional learning and working
For further information regarding preceptorship within the Trust, please contact our Preceptorship Lead at WHCNHS.Preceptorship@nhs.net.