Taking time for reflection
In NHS Grampian we are committed to offering and facilitating time for reflection for all practitioners during work time. We know that reflecting personally and in groups is really helpful to those who are providing care for others and can help people’s clinical role; their emotional well-being and can support people to “not take home” their worries and concerns.
Every nursing and midwifery team have a physical toolkit people can use to reflect but you can access most of the resources online here:
Newly Qualified Nurses
For further information please contact our Professional Development Team on nhsg.NQN@nhs.net
Work Experience
Let’s Get Skilled Up – Work Experience Placements
NHS Grampian’s Workforce Plan strives to produce a workforce around having the right people, with the right skills in the right place at the right time. As a result several initiatives serve to support this aim.
The development of work experience policies for NHS Grampian aims to support staff and persons on placements to achieve safe, appropriate and effective work placement experiences.
This NHS Grampian Work Experience website aims to provide an overview of the processes for school pupils, mature persons and undergraduates who seek medical/dental work observation placements and work experience placements within NHS Grampian.
Work Experience is part of NHS Grampian’s Workforce Corporate Objectives. Most of all these objectives state that well managed and supported placements assist workforce planning, redesign and are especially relevant in, the recruitment of staff.
Modern Apprentice
What is the Modern Apprenticeship Programme?
The Modern Apprenticeship (MA) Programme is a National training programme in Scotland, which is designed to support young people to learn while they work. Modern Apprentices follow a framework for learning, which leads to them gaining a nationally-recognised qualification, based on SVQs, core skills and additional skills relevant to their job.
Who is the Modern Apprenticeship Programme aimed at?
The Modern Apprenticeship programme is most closely suited to new recruits. Whilst available to anyone over the age of 16, they are designed specifically to support recruitment of people in the 16 – 24 year old age range.
It is also possible to convert an employee to a Modern Apprenticeship post, in order to support their development.
Why is NHS Grampian seeking to recruit Modern Apprentices?
NHS Grampian supports the 2020 vision to have a well qualified workforce employed within NHS Scotland. A Modern Apprenticeship can provide the first step on a career pathway for our Healthcare Support Worker (HCSW) workforce. Supporting HCSWs to undertake a Modern Apprenticeship means that they not only gain experience but they also gain a qualification that assesses and assures their competence and skills from the outset.
What learning framework would a Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professions modern apprenticeship follow?
The framework for learning that is suited to the NMAHP workforce is the Modern Apprenticeship in Healthcare Support (Clinical). This framework is available at SCQF level 6 and SCQF level 7. The level required will depend on the job which the modern apprenticeship is aligned with.
All modern apprenticeships include Core Skills, meaning that candidates will be equipped with numeracy and literacy skills.
What should I do next?
If you are interested in developing a Modern Apprenticeship post then please contact Karen Allan, Professional Lead for HCSWs at karen.allan2@nhs.net or Tel: 01224 554847.
Useful links:
My World of Work.
Modern Apprenticeship posts will be advertised within our current vacancies on the NHS Grampian recruitment website
Flying Start
Flying Start NHS® is a national development programme for newly qualified nurses, midwives and allied health professionals. It aims to support your learning and build your confidence during your first year of practice in NHS Scotland. It will do this by assisting you to navigate to the Foundation gateway of the NHS Knowledge and Skills Framework ‘Agenda for Change’. After completing Flying Start NHS® newly qualified practitioners would be expected to participate in ongoing Continuing Professional Development.
Benefits for newly qualified include:
- Offers a learner-directed solution to finding information and making sense of a complex environment
- Guides and supports the transition from student to qualified practitioner
- Links to the NHS KSF development review cycle
- Supports the development of skills for lifelong learning and CPD
- Offers practical advice on how to manage portfolios and PDPs within NHS Scotland
- Gives access to up to date material, useful websites and national policy and developments
- Decreases feelings of isolation through the on-line forum, Flying Start Community and Ask a Mentor functions
- Draws and build on the learning skills developed as pre-registration or undergraduate student
- Increased understanding of the role of other health and social care professionals and partners