© SHEFFIELD HALLAM UNIVERSITY 2011
Faculty of Health and Wellbeing
Pre-registration Nursing Programmes
Sign-off Mentor
(ReviewedJan 2011)
(The NMC Standards to support learning and assessment in practice
can be accessed from the main menu of the Placement Website)
Learning outcomes – After accessing this presentation it
is expected that you will be able to:
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Outline the NMC requirements for sign-off mentor
Consider whether you meet the criteria to become a
sign-off mentor
Discuss the types of evidence which could be used
to assess the clinical proficiency of a student at the
end of their programme
Identify key personnel who are able to support the
mentoring and assessment process
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The NMC Standard
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Developed to give better assurances to the
NMC that students undertaking programmes
have been supported and provided with
appropriate supervision and assessment of
competency by the practitioners with the
necessary knowledge and competence
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Implemented for students who commenced
programmes from 1 September 2007
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Developmental Framework
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Stage 1 = Registrants/Associate mentors
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Stage 2 = Mentors / Sign-off Mentors
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Stage 3 = Practice Teachers
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Stage 4 = Teachers
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Assessment of competence
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All students will be assessed during their
programme by mentors prepared for the role
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Students can only be assessed for entry to the
Register (at the end of their programme) by
sign-off mentors or practice teachers
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For midwifery programmes all mentors must
meet sign-off mentor requirements
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Sign-off Mentor
Additional Requirements
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Supervised on three occasions for signing off
proficiency by an existing sign-off mentor (see next
slide for further details)
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Current clinical experience
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Demonstrate an understanding of the
curriculum, NMC proficiencies and requirements
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Understand the responsibility and accountability
of the role
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The NMC circular 05/2010 Issue date
26 March 2010 states:
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The requirement for a prospective sign-off mentor to be supervised in
signing off students on at least three occasions before they can be
designated a sign-off mentor remains unchanged. However:
 First and second supervisions may now be effected using a range of
methods:
 Simulation, Role play, Objective structured clinical examination
(OSCE), Interactive use of electronic resources.
These will be determined locally by programme providers

The final supervision for signing off proficiency must be with an actual
student undertaking an NMC approved programme. The alternative
methods, such as those referred to in paragraph 3.2, above, are not
permitted for this final supervision
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More information can be found by right clicking the mouse on the
address below and clicking on ‘open hyperlink’
 http://www.nmcuk.org/Documents/Circulars/2010circulars/NMCcircular05_2010.pdf
Grandparent Right – used initially to
populate the mentor register
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Initially, the role of sign-off mentor was afforded to mentors
with an existing qualification and/or experience who were
already practising safely and effectively in making accurate
decisions on student proficiency in the final pre-registration
placement.
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A cut-off date for the use of this right was decided by
each Trust and this right is no longer available to use
for anyone that wasn’t annotated on the register at that
time. (Therefore all new sign-off mentors must follow the guidance issued by
the NMC circular 05/2010 Issue date 26 March 2010)
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Accountability
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“Mentors, Practice Teachers and Teachers who
sign off all or part of the programme leading to
registration are accountable to the Council for
their decision that the students are fit for
practice and that they have the necessary
knowledge, skills and competence to take on
the role of the registered nurse”
Registration provides a licence to practise
and is the prime means of protecting the
public.
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NMC Requirements for the role of sign-off
mentor
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Time allocated to reflect, give feedback and keep
records of student achievement during final placement
where proficiency is signed off – equivalent to one hour per
week over and above the expected 40% required time that a
mentor will work with a student.
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The sign-off mentor must provide evidence that the
student has met the required standards of proficiency at
the end of the programme.
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The sign-off mentor must be on the same part or subpart of the Register as that which the student is
intending to enter.
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NMC Requirements for the role of sign-off
mentor
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The final assessment of proficiency draws on
evidence of assessment over a sustained
period of time. The Sign-off Mentor may use
previous student assessments and other
evidence to see if competence has been
achieved and maintained, as well as
demonstrated in the current placement
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Evidence of Clinical Proficiency when assessing
students at the end of the programme
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An ongoing achievement record (Practice
Assessment Document)
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Observation in Practice
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Simulation, testimonies, question and answer
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The PAD remains the key document to be
used by the Sign-off Mentor.
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The PAD states the Sign-Off Mentor must
examine the previous PAD and skills passport
to develop the action plan.
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The action plan will address unachieved
essential skills and any areas of potential
weakness.
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Finally…
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If further clarification is required please
contact the Link Lecturer for your
placement area.
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