9 Sept 2021 ● Plaxedes Makonise, Registered Mental Health Nurse
What Is A Practice Assessor?
“A Practice Assessor is the most important person in the student ‘s learning because they are supporting a future practitioner who will have a responsibility of looking after the public.”Plaxedes takes us through the role of Practice Assessor and gives us a step by step look at what the job entails.
Topics discussed in this article
What Does A Practice Assessor Do?
How Does A Practice Assessor Work?
Why Is A Practice Assessor Important?
What Are The Main Duties Of A Practice Assessor?
Where Does The Practice Assessor Fit In The Process Of Patient Care?
What Settings Do Practice Assessors Work In?
What Are The Typical Assessor Jobs In The NHS?
Are There Practice Assessor Jobs In The Private Sector?
What Does A Practice Assessor Do?
Supporting pre-registration Students is the most rewarding role.
I have done this so many times and still find it very exciting having to support Students at different levels.
A Practice Assessor is a qualified Nurse who is registered on the NMC Register and nominated in their work area to support Students on placement.
The Practice Assessor Role came into effect in 2018, following reviewing of Nursing Standards by the NMC.
For one to become a Practice Assessor, they must have been a Mentor or Sign Off Mentor to a pre-registration student for 12 to 18 months.
How Does A Practice Assessor Work?
The Practice Assessors are guided by the NMC Code and Standards for Registered Nurses supporting student in the learning environment.
They work collaboratively with professionals from other disciplines to ensure the Student will be able to work in other areas.
The Practice Assessor must work in line with the NMC Code -the professional standards that everyone on the NMC Register must uphold throughout their practice and the pre-registered nurse or Student must be aware of this.
The Practice Assessor must understand the new NMC Standards for pre-registration Students.
The Practice Assessor must understand assessment and documentation and be able to access learning needs in practice.
They must able to recognise under-performance, raise concerns, understand coaching skills and how to coach learners.
Why Is A Practice Assessor Important?
The Practice Assessor is an all-round supporter for the Student having to be a coach, counsellor, teacher and guide throughout their placement.
A Practice Assessor is the most important person in the Student‘s learning because they are supporting a future practitioner who will have a responsibility of looking after the public.
They must aim for a safe registered practitioner.
The Practice Assessor is responsible for assessing and supporting the Student during their training and placement.
The Practice Assessor facilitates learning for the Student and ensures they have access to learning resources available.
The Practice Assessor also coaches and counsels the Student and reassures them in a placement area.
Ensures the Student’s competencies are completed, and the Students understand rationale for their practice and sign at the end of the placement.
The Practice Assessor ensures knowledge about caring for patients and that public are at the heart of nursing.
What Are The Main Duties Of A Practice Assessor?
Ensure the Student has resources to complete their competencies.
The Practice Assessor will meet with the Student at arranged times to follow up on their progress, discuss and sign their competencies.
The Practice Assessor is responsible for ensuring the Student is completing their Competencies.
They liaise with other professionals like Pharmacists, Social Workers, Occupational Health Therapists and Service User so they can complete all competencies in other areas of mental health parameters.
The Practice Assessor liaises with other professionals and units to ensure the students completes other competencies which may not be available in their allocated placement.
There is one challenging task where a Practice Assessor is also responsible for failing students, if there are any concerns about their performance during placement.
I have had this experience and while it is difficult it must be done at some point.
The public remain at the core of our nursing.
The NMC provides guidance on managing failing Students.
This must be conducted in a supportive manner with evidence that the Student had met with their Assessor and these meetings had been recorded and there were action plans and reviews to try and rectify any concerns.
There are forms available in Placement areas.
The Practice Assessor works jointly with the Education and Placement Leads for the Organisation offering placements and the Link Lecturer but should always follow NMC Guidance.
Where Does The Practice Assessor Fit In The Process Of Patient Care?
The Practice Assessor ensures the safety of the Service user whilst the Student is learning and will supervise any procedures to be conducted.
What Settings Do Practice Assessors Work In?
Practice Assessors work in all settings which are affiliated with Teaching Universities and Hospitals and Community Settings.
What Are The Typical Assessor Jobs In The NHS?
There are a lot of jobs they can do in the NHS The Practice Assessors can become Nurse Educators, or Nurse Tutor and can also be Placement Leads, Coach and Counsellor in Staff well-being.
Are There Practice Assessor Jobs In The Private Sector?
They are available as students can be placed anywhere where there are health services. A Practice Assessor can become a Nurse Educator or Nurse Tutor or Lecturer with further education.
