Clinical Nurse Educator

Job Description
The post of Clinical Nurse Educator in Primary Care was created as part of an innovative new training service. The aim of the Nurse Hub is to extend and enhance the current opportunities for education and training in Primary care and beyond, while creating extra capacity for patients and retaining current nursing staff.
The post holder will work in partnership with the Education and Development Manager at The Islington Federation and members of the Islington Training Hub in order to manage the development and ongoing learning of clinical primary care staff across Islington.
The Clinical Nurse Educator is responsible for the delivery of comprehensive clinical training packages working in partnership with local Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) e.g. Middlesex and Greenwich University. Other education initiatives are not academically accredited but meet local needs to maintain a motivated and skilled workforce in order to fulfil the organisational need.
The nature of the training and development role is evolving. This role depends on contracts and the service needs across both Islington and the wider health landscape of North Central London, where there is a need to work in economies of scale. The aim is to develop training which is consistent with national guidelines including advanced practice.
Where possible the training will be accredited by governing bodies such as the NMC / RCN or HEIs.
The trainees on the programme are employed by the Islington GP Federation and are trained at Islington Practice Hub sites, whilst providing direct patient care to any patient registered with an Islington GP Practice, so good communication skills are essential when working across the sites.
Examples of good practice when supervising trainee Practice Nurses include:
· Observation of trainees delivering patient care, followed by reflection and discussions.
· Discussion about challenging cases and patients who are difficult to relate to or treat
· Facilitation of learning with regard to long term conditions, the prevention of morbidity related to them and screening protocols
· Assessment of clinical skills relating to the specialist modules for Practice
The post holder will be required to travel across Islington to offer education and support to staff in their practice
The design and delivery of all training is in accordance with best practice and evidence-based care and all staff are encouraged to work with the DOH ‘6Cs’ embedded within their practice. Attitudes such as compassion and respect for patients should also be assessed and modelled when the Clinical Educator visits the learners.
Key responsibilities
· To provide educational support to Practice Nurses and other staff as requested by the Islington Education and Development Manager
· To work cooperatively with the General Practice teams in the facilitation of education for Practice Nurses and other staff.
· To work cooperatively with the University, so that the clinical components of each module are supported with appropriate input.
· To develop clinical education programmes demonstrating a high level of mastery, knowledge, skills and understanding of clinical assessment. The Clinical Educator will have this level of skill to be able to deliver to the standard required.
· Act as an expert resource and role model for colleagues.
· Exhibit advanced theoretical and practical knowledge needed for the role, knowledge must be underpinned by at least degree level education and a recognised post graduate qualification.
· Support the work of the General Practices and Training Hub in identifying training and development needs for clinical primary care staff.
· Support Practice staff who are managing those on training courses.
· Use and develop evaluation methods to inform and improve training outcomes.
· Develop training strategies to comply with national developments in advanced practice, prescribing, NICE and local guidelines regarding long term conditions management.
· Work alongside other members of the training team in a variety of settings to plan and deliver education events, programmes and courses.
· Consider the costs of planned programmes and keep within budgets as well as assessing the return on investment of any training within a development programme.
· Work within a team to produce programmes that are satisfactory to all relevant parties in Islington such as line managers, finance and senior managers at board level.
· Devise and produce training materials for in-house courses and assessments and employing flexibility and variation of teaching techniques to suit different learning styles.
· Assist employers and line managers in different settings to solve specific training problems, either on a one-to-one basis or in groups.
· Research a variety of information (e.g. courses, materials, training consultants, etc.) for the purpose of developing new programs and improving existing programmes that meet staff training needs.
· Understand e-learning techniques and how to facilitate e-learning.
· Prepare a wide variety of written materials (e.g. reports, memos and letters) for the purpose of documenting activities, providing written information, and/or conveying information.
· Keep up to date by reading current evidence and articles, and by attending meetings and relevant training courses.
Integrated Clinical Governance
· To participate in the clinical governance requirements within the work of the organisations where teaching is delivered
· To practice within the parameters of Islington and NHS policies, protocols and guidelines.
· To participate in quality improvement within the organisation.
Professional
· To work within the regulatory requirements, codes and guidance of the Nursing and Midwifery Council and relevant educational regulators as appropriate.
· To maintain professional and clinical competence through mechanisms of continuing own professional development, as well as continuing to work in a clinical role in addition to this position.
· To act as a role model and maintain professional behaviour whilst upholding the reputation and image of Islington.
· Comply with the requirements of strict confidentiality and sensitivity regarding staff training.
Key working relationships
These will include the Islington Training Hub, practice staff and the Programme Director at the HEIs.
Communication
When starting a new mentoring role the Clinical Educator will need to set up initial meetings with the practice team to explain their role and the time table of sessions when they will be attending the practice.
Monthly meetings with the Islington Training Hub and other staff providing support to the programme.
Meetings with University staff at key points in the year and a wide variety of other stakeholders at executive level where specialist education input is required.
Written reports detailing the content of supervision sessions for trainee practice nurses and other staff visited including and any plans made. This report must include a summary of the session and information on what subjects were discussed.
This report should be sent to the Training Hub manager and the line manager of the student visited, plus any other staff who have been agreed as key training support staff.
Telephone and email contact with Islington Training Hub and University staff if any problems are encountered that need urgent advice.
Effort
To deal sensitively with patients that may have high levels of anxiety and aggression caused by pain, dementia or limited mobility.
The job may involve exposure to unpleasant working conditions such as the potential risk of verbal/physical aggression and dealing with body fluids including blood, sputum, urine, and vaginal discharge.
General for all employees
All employees of IGPF are expected to work in ways that demonstrate an understanding and commitment to our values. Working together for patients Patients come first in everything we do Respect and dignity We value every person in all that we do [patients, families & carers and staff] Commitment to quality of care We are accountable for our work and strive to get the basics right every time [safety, effectiveness and experience] Compassion Compassion and kindness are central to the care we provide Improving lives We strive to improve health and wellbeing and people’s experiences of our services Everyone counts We take care with our resources for the benefit of the whole community, working to ensure that everyone is included and no one is discriminated against or left behind.
Safeguarding adults and children
You must make yourself aware of your responsibilities to maintain the wellbeing and protection of vulnerable children and adults. If you have concerns that a patient is at risk you should escalate this to an appropriate person, such as your manager, a safeguarding lead or any other appropriate colleague.
We are committed to safeguarding and protecting the welfare of children and adults and to protect them from the risks of harm. We recognise our responsibility to ensure that safe working conditions and systems are in place for all staff working with all clients in their care. All our staff have a responsibility to safeguard and promote the welfare of children, young people and vulnerable adults in accordance with "Working Together to Safeguard Children" HM Gov 2018 and other relevant statutory guidance.
This applies to staff with direct and indirect contact with families. All staff are required to undertake training in safeguarding children and vulnerable adults to enable them to fulfil their responsibilities and must comply with all GP Care Group Safeguarding Policies and Procedures.
Performance management and appraisal
You are expected to participate in individual performance management process and reviews.
Personal development and training
We actively encourage development and are committed to offering learning and development opportunities for all full-time and part-time employees. To support this you must attend all statutory and mandatory training as required.