Job overview
An exciting opportunity has developed to help support the delivery of a high quality, safe and compassionate service. This post is centred in Endoscopy services within Bedfordshire Hospitals Trust and the successful candidate will be expected to work on both sites.
The Associate Clinical Educator will work under the direction of the Endoscopy clinical Educator in supporting learners in the workplace. This will involve clinically working with a range of staff members (bands 2-6) to ensure that staff are competent to undertake their clinical roles and responsibilities. The post holder will always work within the remits of their own competencies.
They will support learners and enhance the quality of the practice learning environment by providing support, educational input and development for learners. And through acting as a role model in clinical practice with learners.
They will assist with the promotion of up to date evidence-based practice through facilitation of clinical education and other staff development strategies and programmes.
All staff are expected to act as a role model to others in all aspects of their work and consistently demonstrate Bedfordshire Hospitals’ values of THRIVE: Teamwork, Honesty, Inclusivity, Respect, Valuing People and Excellence
Main duties of the job
To support Clinical Educators on both sites in the delivery of both the theoretical and practical components of educational, developmental and training programmes, using a range of teaching/learning styles within scope of practice.
To coach learners on various educational and training programmes, enhancing their learning experience and their understanding of how different roles contribute to the patient’s care and experience.
To support and encourage the development of unregistered Health Care Support Workers to progress along a career pathway with can lead to registration, undertaking apprenticeships and other programmes of learning, with a step on step off approach.
To support registered nurses, under the supervision of the Endoscopy Clinical Educator, with access to support and educational tools and resources.
To achieve the above – an interest and experience in Endoscopy is essential.
Please see Full Job Description for further details
Working for our organisation
Bedfordshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust provides hospital services to a growing population of around 700,000 people living across Bedfordshire and the surrounding areas across two busy hospital sites in Bedford and Luton. Both hospital sites offer key services such as A&E, Obstetrics-led Maternity and Paediatrics. You will be joining a friendly, high performing Trust committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of staff. As one of the largest NHS Trusts in our region you will have access to a programme of high quality training and development to help you grow your career. The Trust continues to be committed to delivering the best patient care using the best clinical knowledge and technology available.
We not only recruit based on qualifications and experience - we recruit individuals who demonstrate the behaviours which underpin our Trusts core values. We achieve this by using values based recruitment. We are dedicated to making our recruitment practices as inclusive as possible for everyone, we are committed to promoting equality and diversity, and creating a culture that values differences.
Please note that vacancies may close prior to the advertised closing date when sufficient number of applications have been received. All new staff will be subject to a probationary period covering first 6 months in post. Travel between hospital sites may be required. Please review all documents attached to ensure you familiarize yourself with all requirements of the job.
Detailed job description and main responsibilities
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:
1. Under the direction of the Endoscopy Management and education team provide training and coaching for a range of learners in clinical practice.
2. Assist with the preparation and delivery of classroom-based teaching sessions, clinical skills training, tutorials, workshops, mock exams and conferences, using appropriate teaching styles, equipment and technology to optimise learning.
3. To document any training/ support sessions/ tutorials and assessments on the progress report/Care Certificate/Practice Assessment Document (PAD) and online within scope of practice.
4. To undertake tutorials with learners ensuring that both academic and clinical milestones of the programme are met and report issues for action to the Clinical Educator Nurse.
5. To identify potential new learning opportunities for the learners in consultation with the Clinical Educator Nurse.
6. To develop and maintain good working relationships with managers, clinical educators and other staff in the clinical areas facilitating learners.
7. To contribute to department meetings, which support the development, performance and teamwork of staff in the department.
Educational Responsibilities:
1. Under the direction of the Clinical Educator Nurse, review effectiveness of teaching sessions based on learner feedback, latest evidence supporting practice, new teaching styles/resources and in accordance with trust policies & procedures.
2. Liaise with the Endoscopy Clinical Educator to teach and assess learners in developing the clinical skills and knowledge required to work effectively and safely as part of the Endoscopy team, whilst working within the domains of their own clinical skills and competency. These clinical skills include but are not limited to:
Accurate safe and appropriate preparation of clinical treatment rooms (before and after lists)
Safe preparation of the Endoscope prior to procedure and post procedure
Participate in patient safety checklist (WHO)
Care of the patient through the procedure e.g., monitoring patient comfort levels and reporting/ escalating any relevant findings to a Registered Nurse
Supporting the patient with self-administration of Entonox
Assist the endoscopist with simple biopsy, simple cold & hot polypectomy, argon plasma coagulation (APC), dye spray, dilatation, Endo Mucosal Resection (EMR)- without mucosal injection, and naso-gastric (NG)/ naso-jejunal (NJ) tube insertion.
Assist the endoscopist with advanced interventional skills and knowledge to include assisting with; ERCP’s, Bronchoscopies, variceal and non-variceal bleeds.
Perform physiological observations and report findings to a registered nurse.
Competent in performing IV cannulation and venepuncture in accordance with Trust policy.
Assist in emergency situations e.g., basic life support.
Completing documentation as indicated
3. To carry out instructions of the registered members accurately and responsibly of the multidisciplinary team who are professionally accountable for the delivery of care.
4. To work clinically as required to support learners.
5. To report to the Endoscopy Clinical Educator and Endoscopy Unit Manager any cause for concern regarding staff’s development, behaviour, attitude, and professional values.
6. To ensure that clinical records and assessment documentation are maintained accurately.
7. Ensure a full working knowledge of all clinical equipment relevant to the role.
Clinical Responsibilities:
1. In liaison with the Clinical Educators, teach and assess learners in the delivery of essential nursing care through demonstration, utilising up to date clinical knowledge and skills. Asses and support learners with the completion of the Care Certificate.
2. To be a role model to all by providing a high standard of individualised patient care in accordance with trust policies and procedures, which optimises the patient’s care experience and care outcome.
3. To accurately and responsibly carry out instructions of the registered members of the multidisciplinary team who are professionally accountable for the delivery of care.
4. To work clinically in various ward areas/departments to support the learners to achieve protected learning time.
5. To report to registered professionals any cause for concern/ change in a patient’s clinical condition and ensure the learner understand their responsibility in reporting to members of the multi-disciplinary team.
6. To ensure that clinical records and assessment documentation are maintained accurately.
7. Communicate effectively with patients, relatives, carers, significant others, the multi-disciplinary team and support services.
8. Adhere to Trust’s infection prevention & control procedures demonstrating an understanding of cross infection.
9. To be competent in dealing with emergency situations within scope of practice.
10. To ensure a full working knowledge of all clinical area equipment relevant to the role.
11. To ensure the safekeeping of patients’ property and valuables and advise/supervise other staff in this.
Professional Development:
1. To attend an annual appraisal and follow through the objectives set including professional development plans.
2. To ensure mandatory training compliance is 100%.
3. Maintain up to date knowledge of changes in trust policies and procedures relevant to the post.
4. To ensure own practice is up to date and evidence based.
Person specification
Qualifications
Essential criteria
1. Foundation Degree in Health Studies (Science)/ Assistant Practitioner / Nursing Associate / equivalent
2. Willingness to undertake a certified course in Assessing, Teaching and Mentoring/Coaching in clinical practice
3. Evidence of and commitment to continuing development in the role and maintenance of a personal professional profile.
4. Compliant with mandatory training (if internal)
Desirable criteria
5. Assessing, Teaching, Mentoring/Coaching qualification (short course)
Experience
Essential criteria
6. Clinically up-to-date, with significant recent acute nursing experience at band 4
7. Experience in mentoring learners effectively
8. Experience in assessing learners
9. Knowledge of current developments in health care
Desirable criteria
10. An understanding of JAG and GRS
11. Knowledge of appropriate standards and external bodies (CQC etc.)
12. Experience of participating in clinical audit
Knowledge and Skills
Essential criteria
13. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
14. Ability to be an effective teacher and facilitator
15. Organisational and time management skills
16. Ability to work on own initiative
17. Presentation skills, with the ability to use power point (or be prepared to undertake training for using power point).
18. I.T. skills: word, excel, outlook, internet
19. Flexible with working hours
20. Able to recognise own limitations in the context of the work role undertaken
Desirable criteria
21. Previous Endoscopy/Gastroenterology experience.
Personal Attributes
Essential criteria
22. To have a strong interest in teaching, coaching supporting learners in the classroom and in clinical practice.
23. To have a solution focussed approach to challenges in the workplace
24. To be a strong team player
25. To be an effective role model, demonstrating To be an effective role model, demonstrating Bedfordshire Hospitals’ values of THRIVE: Teamwork, Honesty, Respect, Inclusivity, Valuing People and Excellence.
26. Demonstrates understanding and commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Applicant requirements
This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974 (Exceptions) Order 1975 (Amendment) (England and Wales) Order 2020 and it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service.