# 2.4 Preparing for the role of Practice Supervisor and Practice Assessor

Whether you are preparing to be a Practice Supervisor or a Practice Assessor it is of great importance that you understand and are prepared for these roles, in terms of scope, role requirements, responsibilities, skills and competencies.

Students on NMC approved programmes will require a Practice Supervisor and Practice Assessor in the practice learning environment. You can find below a brief overview of what these two roles entail.

## Practice Supervisor

Role | Knowledge and experience required
--- | ---
Act as a role model Facilitate learning opportunities for students to meet their proficiencies Support and supervise students, reflecting their learning needs and stage of learning Provide effective and timely feedback Record observations on conduct, proficiency and achievement Contribute to assessments in collaboration with the student’s Practice Assessor Raise and respond to student conduct and competence concerns Engage with the Practice Assessor and Academic Assessor, for support to ensure safe and effective learning Facilitate independent learning where appropriate | Can be any healthcare professional currently registered with a regulatory body Support learning within their scope of practice Current knowledge and experience of healthcare education and supervision Understanding of student proficiencies, programme outcomes and practice assessment documents Effective supervision, student learning and assessment methods Awareness of different coaching models CPD and ongoing development to support practice learning

Further reading can be found here: What do Practice Supervisors do? NMC SSSA guidance

## Practice Assessor

Role | Knowledge and experience required
--- | ---
Seek feedback from Practice Supervisors Periodically observe students Draw on evidence from other sources Conduct assessments Provide supportive, honest and effective feedback Communicate and collaborate with the nominated Academic Assessor Make and record objective, fair and evidence-based assessments on student conduct, proficiency and achievement Raise and respond to concerns regarding conduct, competence and achievement Assess and make recommendations for progression Not simultaneously the Practice Supervisor or Academic Assessor for the same student | Must be a registered nurse, midwife, nursing associate or specialist community public health nurse (SCPHN) Have undertaken role preparation or can evidence prior learning to undertake the role Current knowledge and experience for the programme they are assessing Understanding of student proficiencies, programme outcomes and assessment documentation Skills relevant to student learning and assessment, to include coaching models and effective interpersonal skills Conducting objective evidence-based assessments Effectively providing feedback Seek ongoing support to fulfil the role

Further reading can be found here: What do Practice Assessors do? NMC SSSA guidance

Watch this short video from Health Education England, which briefly summarises the Practice Assessor role: Nursing and midwifery - Practice Assessors.

OpenLearn - Practice supervision and assessment in nursing
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