Clinical Placement Handbook
Nov 2013

1.1 Introduction
1.2 Allocation of Placements
1.3 Quality Monitoring of Placements
1.4 Travel to Placements
1.5 Occupational Health, Disabilities and special needs
2.1 Prior to the placement
2.2 When in placement
2.3 At the end of the placement
2.4 The Practice Clinical Educator – What is their role?
2.5 The Learning and Development Lead – What is their role?
3.1 Assessment
3.2 Difficulties in placement
3.3 Placement Learning Outcomes
3.4 Learning Contract and SWOT analysis
4.1 Senior Learning and Development Manager
4.2 Learning and Development Leads
Clinical Placement Handbook
Nov 2013

1.1. Introduction
Welcome to the clinical placement handbook. Clinical placement is an essential part of the paramedic practitioner pathway, both as a student, and as part of your continued professional development as qualified practitioner.
Your time in placement is an opportunity to consolidate your academic learning and develop competence and professionalism within your scope of practice. This will be achieved through seeing patients in surgery or home visits under either direct or remote supervision. This handbook is designed to make your clinical placements as productive as possible, to answer as many questions that you have before you start and to give you practical guidance once you are in placement. Please take time to read this handbook.
Allocation of Placements 1.2.
1.2.1. All primary care placements will be at a GP training surgery and coordinated by the Kent, Surrey and Sussex deanery. There will be a named GP
Trainer who will take overall responsibility for you however at times they may devolve this responsibility to other clinicians within the practice.
1.2.2. Dates of clinical placements will be arranged with agreement between all parties involved including you, the practice and clinical scheduling.
1.2.3. If you have any commitments that may require flexibility within your placement hours you must discuss this prior to placement with one of the
PP education team and the surgery.
1.2.4. Once allocated a practice you will need to make contact with them prior to your start date to discuss an agreed schedule of work i.e. Induction program, an analysis of your specific needs, identify learning opportunities, agree appropriate shifts with appropriately qualified members of staff. It is your responsibility to keep to the schedule agreed with the practice clinical educator.
1.3. The Quality Monitoring of placements
1.3.1. The quality of placements is carefully monitored by the PP education team.
Please ensure that you provide us with feedback post placement to help us improve the experience for others.
1.3.2. The Kent, Surrey and Sussex deanery will also expect you to comment (via an on-line evaluation feedback survey) upon your experiences within the
GP placement.
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1.4. Travels to Placements
1.4.1. You will be expected to arrive at your clinical placement at the agreed time; travel time to the practice is within your own time and does not form part of your clinical hours.
1.4.2. When the practice is outside of your normal work area mileage can be claimed in line with agenda for change terms and conditions. Any mileage or expenses claims should be submitted via your clinical operations manager along with your monthly time sheet.
1.5. Occupational Health, Disabilities and Special Needs
1.5.1. In order for you to practice it is your responsibility to evidence your CRB and occupational health status prior to going into placement. Please see you
Learning and Development Lead if you require help or advice on this process.
1.5.2. It is strongly recommend that you disclose any important information about a disability that you feel will influence you learning and/or development.
Providing such information to practice staff will allow them to arrange any necessary support or adjustments that you may need to practise safely, effectively and meet their standards. This will also help to make sure that you are not put in situations which might pose a risk to you or to your patients/clients.
As adult learners you are responsible for your own learning and development. The education team, including your education managers and the practice placement clinical supervisors are there to support you through your learning experience. Below is a guideline to support you through your clinical placements:
Prior to the placement: 2.1.
2.1.1. Ensure that you have evidence of current Criminal Records Bureau check and occupation health status.
2.1.2. Ensure you have, and are familiar with, all appropriate documentation relating to placement competences and assessment criteria (Work Place
Based Assessments)
2.1.3. Complete a SWOT analysis. This will help you when you meet your placement GP Trainer or one of the clinical supervisors to discuss your
Clinical Placement Handbook
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timetable and learning opportunities and develop a learning contract if appropriate.
2.1.4. Contact the surgery to arrange shifts/hours of attendance Induction program, an analysis of your specific needs and identify learning opportunities.
2.1.5. Ensure you have clear and defined aims and objective for the placement. If necessary please discuss this with your Learning and Development Lead for further information
2.2. When in Placement
2.2.1. Will I need to wear uniform when in placement?
Most sites have a policy regarding dress and the wearing of uniform by external staff, policies will vary and you should seek advice from the practice/unit. Refer to the SECAmb policy on uniform and the control of infectious diseases in relation to wearing of jewellery and watches etc.
Where uniform is not required then a reasonable standard of dress is expected. Remember to carry your SECAmb identification with you at all times. If in doubt wear your uniform until clarification has been obtained.
2.2.2. Timesheets
Timesheets will have to be submitted in the usual way and countersigned by your clinical operations manager. Please note that overtime will not be paid for placement hours.
2.2.3. In addition you will need to:
2.2.3.1. Ensure that the practice clinical supervisor has a copy of your Work Place based Assessment forms.
2.2.3.2. Complete the induction pack supplied by the unit/site if appropriate and ensure you are aware of departmental policies and procedures including accident, manual handling, health and safety, and use of electronic media.
2.2.3.3. Give your clinical supervisor the name and contact details for your link
Learning and Development Lead.
2.2.3.4. Ensure a time is arranged at the beginning of the placement to identify your learning needs, review placement learning outcomes and complete a learning contract if appropriate (see appendix). This is also a good opportunity to outline any concerns or anxieties that you may have.
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2.2.3.5. Discuss with a Learning and Development Lead if you think that your performance on placement may be adversely affected by any issue.
2.2.3.6. Ensure that specified times are established for feedback regarding your performance over the placement. Do not delay in organising these meetings as they are essential to your development.
2.2.3.7. Maintain professional behaviour and confidentiality at all times in line with
HPC code of conduct and ethics.
2.2.4. What happens if I am sick during the placement or need to take time off?
Contact the clinical placement before the start of the working day if you are unable to attend for any reason.
Ensure you follow SECAmb guidelines relating to sickness and the notification process).
You must also contact the Learning and Development Lead to inform them of your absence this is to ensure that your consolidation of academic learning can be planned around your absence.
If you need to take time off for bereavement or any other reason, you must follow the same guidelines above as for sickness.
2.2.5. What do I do if I encounter problems during a placement?
If there is a problem you feel able to discuss with your practice GP Trainer, please work through it with them. Alternatively your Learning and
Development Lead or a fellow student may be able to assist you. If you are unable to get hold of your Learning and Development Lead please contact one of the other practitioner education mangers.
If you have concerns, or are given feedback that you are not on target for passing the placement/achieving planned objectives, please ask your practice clinical educator for specific goals which will enable you to improve your performance. In addition, please liaise with your allocated Learning and Development Lead as soon as possible, who will support you appropriately.
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2.2.6. Should I be adding to my CPD Portfolio during a placement?
Yes, you are encouraged to reflect on your experiences during your placements. Any learning opportunity will provide you with an experience to reflect on.
2.3. At the end of the placement:
2.3.1. Ensure that any borrowed materials (including locker keys, books etc) are returned to the practice GP Trainer or Learning and Development Lead prior to the end of the placement.
2.3.2. Ensure all appropriate evidence sheets are signed. The Clinical Educator will produce a final clinical supervisors report. Ensure you go through this with them towards the end of your placement.
2.3.3. Please send a copy of your clinical supervisor ’s final report to Learning and
Development, Coxheath so that it can be copied and placed on your
SECAmb training file.
2.4. The Practice Clinical Educator
– What is their role?
2.4.1. The role of the practice GP Trainer and clinical supervisors is to facilitate your learning and development; it is important to remember however that your practice clinical supervisors are also responsible for providing a service to their patients and ensure patient safety and will have administration and managerial responsibilities which will impact on their time.
2.4.2. It is the responsibility of the practice clinical educator to arrange appropriate placements within the practice/unit to facilitate your development. Such arrangements will be discretionary and subject to change based on your needs and the needs of the practice.
2.4.3. During your placement the practice clinical educator will liaise with you regarding learning objectives, facilitate your learning and evaluate your progress, in addition they will offer a supportive role.
2.4.4. The practice clinical educator will give you regular constructive feedback regarding your performance and development. They will use a variety of work based assessment tools to do this.
2.4.5. Upon completion of the placement they will complete a Clinical Supervisors
Report.
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2.5. The Learning and Development Lead
– What is their role?
2.5.1. You will have been allocated a Learning and Development Lead; they are there to provide educational support to compliment the expertise of the practice clinica l supervisors. They are experienced paramedic practitioners and understand the practitioner academic pathway, it is important to remember that they also have other managerial duties within the Trust.
2.5.2. Some of their duties include:
2.5.2.1. Discussing any particular difficulties you may have which may jeopardise your learning. These include issues such as travel, accommodation and pastoral issues as well as issues related to clinical practice.
2.5.2.2. Helping you to optimise your use of the clinical learning environment by identifying particular learning needs and suggesting ways of meeting them.
2.5.2.3. Providing the practice clinical educator with the opportunity to discuss your progress and to obtain support in educational matters such as setting standards for assessment and developing learning outcomes.
2.5.2.4. It is worth noting that unless your LDL is informed of your progress or indeed of any difficulties you may be encountering then they will be unable to support you. Communication is the key.
2.5.2.5. If you are unable to get hold of your allocated Learning and Development
Lead or your link tutor is away on leave, please contact another member of that team.
3.1. Assessment
3.1.1. Your clinical supervisors and GP Trainer has responsibility to ensure you are fully assessed based on the guideline that they have received. They will assess you using the documents within the Work Place Based Assessment booklet. It is recommended that your become familiar with this document prior to placements starting. It is expected that you will ask to be assessed when you feel ready well in advance of completing the period of GP placement The Competency document provides guidance on the performance the student should be able to demonstrate
3.1.2. Please contact your Learning and Development Lead if you need further information or details regarding this assessment process.
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3.2. Difficulties in placement
3.2.1. If you have concerns, or have feedback that you are not on target for passing the placement, or achieving the predetermined aims and objectives, please ask your clinical educator for specific goals which will enable you to improve your performance.
3.2.2. In addition, please discuss with your LDL as soon as possible, who will support you appropriately and develop an action plan that meets your requirements.
3.2.3. If despite assistance you continue to demonstrate inadequate evidence of competent practice this will be recognised and appropriate procedures will be put initiated.
3.3. Placement Learning Outcomes
3.3.1. Having clear and concise outcomes will enhance your clinical experience and give focus to your development. Outcomes should be discussed and a realistic plan for achieving them agreed at the beginning of the placement in the form of a learning contract.
3.3.2. It is essential that you work with the practice clinical educator to select appropriate learning activities to meet these outcomes.
3.3.3. It is anticipated that you will encounter many different clinical presentations and see many different types of patients by the end of the placements, you are encouraged to learn from each encounter regardless of whether it matches your agreed outcomes, this will expand your own knowledge, understanding and confidence.
3.3.4. The Work Place Based Assessments contain all the process for recording and presenting evidence to the Clinical Placement Educator that you have achieved a standard that enables them to ju dge you ‘fit to practice’
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3.4. Practitioner Learning Contract and SWOT Analysis
3.4.1. A learning contract is a written document that draws you the student and your placement clinical supervisor together in taking equal responsibility for learning and development. It is fundamental that you are involved in the development of your individual learning contract. Training needs, objectives, resources and strategies are identified in a partnership between you and the placement mentor and are written into the contract. In this way, you develop a sense of ownership and commitment of your own learning and development.
3.4.2. CA SWOT analysis will identify any strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats that you feel may present as part of undergoing the paramedic practitioner programme.
Clinical Placement Handbook
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Clinical Placement Handbook
Nov 2013

3.4.3. From your SWOT analysis you should now have a few questions that you want answered. Take some time to identify what it is you feel you will want or need to support you through your time on the paramedic practitioner programme.
These can be looked at under the following headings:
 What do I want from my placement GP Trainers and other clinical supervisors?
 What do I want from SECAmb?
 What do I need to do to achieve?
 How will I know when I have achieved it?
The answers to these questions will form your learning contract and will be discussed, agreed, documented and signed by yourself and your GP
Trainer.
3.4.4. In addition it is important to remember that your mentor may also be providing items to be included in the learning contract and again will be discussed, agreed, documented and signed by yourself.
3.4.5. It is important also to note that all identified items for inclusion in the learning contract, both from you the student, and from your mentor, must be realistically achievable, and this will be confirmed during the identification and discussion process.
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The student/learner will:
The placement clinical supervisor will:
Student Name:
Signature:
Clinical Supervisor Name:
Signature:
Date:
Date:
Clinical Placement Handbook
Nov 2013

Mark Tappenden
Senior Learning and Development Manager
Paramedic Practitioner Team
Mobile: 07768947619
Email:mark.tappenden@secamb.nhs.uk
Nick Best
Learning and Development Lead
Paramedic Practitioner Team
Mobile: 0779644815
Email: nicholas.best@secamb.nhs.uk
Stuart Rutland
Learning and Development Lead
Paramedic Practitioner Team
Mobile: 07747458053
Email: stuart.rutland@secamb.nhs.uk
Clinical Placement Handbook
Nov 2013