SUPPORTING LEARNING AND ASSESSMENT IN PRACTICE
Protected Time
"Sign-off mentors must have time allocated to reflect, give feedback and keep records of student achievements in their final period of practice learning. This will be the equivalent of an hour per student per week. This time is in addition to the 40% of the students time to be supported by a mentor."
Paragraph 3.2.4, NMC, Standards to support learning & assessment in practice, 2008
Placement providers have a responsibility to allow time for mentors to meet their students to conduct and record assessment achievements and outcomes.
The following suggestions may be valuable in assisting mentors to receive this protected time:
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Final placement students to be highlighted on off-duty or equivalent.
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Plan ahead and agree weekly timetable for meetings with student.
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Ensure line manager aware that protected time is required.
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Document on log sheet* when protected time provided.
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Make time, give full attention and ensure privacy when giving feedback.
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Split 1 hour protected time if more appropriate in 2x30 minutes or 3x20 minutes over the course of the week.
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Utilise times during working day when workload or staffing is better suited to allow for protected time to occur.
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Record meetings in the students PA document (supplementary meetings sheet).
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Inform your line manager if protected time is lost due to unforseen circumstances.
It is an NMC requirement that mentors ensure students have effective feedback on their performance so that the ultimate decision on their proficiency is not unexpected.
*Click here| for a printable copy of a meetings log sheet.
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