The role of the practice educator is vital for supporting learners in the workplace.
To make the expectations of the role clearer, new guidance has been published by the College of Radiographers (CoR) in association with 16 other professional bodies.
The Health and Care Professions Practice Education Guidance aims to support practice educators across the allied health professions.
Louise Coleman, SCoR professional officer, and member of The Health and Care Professions Education Leads Group which developed the guidance, explains: “Practice educators have an important role in growing and developing the current and future workforce and support learners at all levels across the allied health professions.
“This publication aims to enhance the quality of practice educators’ knowledge and skills, and therefore the experience of learners in the clinical setting.”
One of the aims of the guidance is to ensure practice educators keep up-to-date with current best practice.
Louise continues: “We want to give them the confidence and skills to create a clinical teaching and learning environment which includes their fellow practitioners and encourages others to take ownership of education and learning too.
“The guidance also reinforces the importance of their role, thereby increasing the recognition of this role among stakeholders.”
The guidance builds upon the HCPC’s Standards of Education and Training and fits in with current profession-specific training programmes.
It can also be used as part of a practice educator’s CPD and audit evidence. Louise concludes: “I urge all those whose role it is to develop learning in the clinical setting to read and use the guidance.
It will support them to deliver the very best learning environment and outcomes for all.”
To read the guidance, visit the Society’s online Policy and Guidance Document Library, or click here to download it directly.
The CoR’s Practice Educator Accreditation Scheme (PEAS) is also in the process of being refreshed.
All current accredited practice educators have been informed by email about the changes.
From 1 January 2017, course leaders will need to map their programme to the new statements contained within the guidance when seeking re-approval for practice educator programmes.