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How would you describe your job?

As an associate practice educator, I champion the development of health care support workers (HCSWs), ensuring they receive the best training and support to excel in their roles and enhance patient care.

I work 30 hours per week, spending most of it alongside HCSWs in the trust. For the rest of the time, I’m finishing my studies in person-centred counselling and look forward to applying skills as a counsellor in the future too.

How did you get to this point in your career?

I started working in the NHS in 2001 as a HCSW in a mental health setting. I then moved into the private and charity sectors. 

I worked in residential care, assisting people with autism. I also worked alongside those with neurological disorders, including acquired brain injuries and Huntington’s disease.

Those who I assisted helped me to develop my knowledge and understanding of mental health, which was so valuable that I felt able to apply for my current role as an associate practice educator.

My mentors during this time helped to further my professional development as they were so patient with any questions I had or areas where I wanted to learn. This confidence helped me to open doors within my career.

What are 5 things you do in an average week?

• Advise HCSWs when learning and development opportunities become available.
• Attend short-life working groups to discuss how to support education resource development and clinical supervision. These are temporary groups that focus on addressing particular themes within a small timeframe, and are commonly held across NHS Grampian.  
• Talk HCSWs through their training and development needs.
• Guide foundation apprentices – school pupils around the age of 16 on work placements – with activities needed to complete the academic side of the programme.
• Support internationally recruited new starters with orientation into their new workplace, including ways of working. This involves answering their questions, providing an understanding of our fundamentals of care, and teaching them how our health care system may be different to what they’re used to.

What things do you do in this role that other nursing staff don’t?

I’m responsible for the training and development of all health care support workers in my workplace. Working alongside the senior charge nurse, I also get involved with induction training. Ensuring opportunities are available helps with retention too.

What training do you deliver to HSCWs?

I’m there to assist our HCSWs with their educational and development activities, making their work-based learning more rewarding. This might be helping them with various aspects of their mandatory training, orientation or induction programmes.

I also support Practice Education teams with assessing HCSWs who are completing work-based competencies and qualifications.

I facilitate a variety of workshops, covering skills ranging from fluid balance recording to somewhat invasive procedures, such as venepuncture and cannulation.

What are 5 key qualities someone needs to do this job?

Approachability, patience, kindness, understanding, and being able to adapt to the learning styles of those you’re supporting.

What’s the most challenging thing about the job?

HCSWs are always busy, so finding time for the training and development they need and want is always a challenge. Not everything needs to be classroom-based, though. I try to be flexible and provide opportunities in their clinical work areas where possible.

And the most rewarding?

I really enjoy encouraging HCSWs to take the time to reflect on their vast knowledge base and skillset, as well as their day-to-date contributions to patient-centred care.

In turn, this can enable them to reflect on the positive impact their role has on the care of patients and their overall experience within their workplaces.

What would you say to someone who was looking into becoming an associate practice educator?

Don’t be daunted by the opportunity. If it comes up, grab the chance.

It’s so rewarding to be able to assist in laying the solid foundation of a career or help HCSWs make the most of development opportunities available, so they can provide the best patient care possible.