NMC Standards for Student Supervision & Assessment (SSSA) Training Slides
Published on 28/05/2021, updated on 05/01/2023
In 2018 the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) introduced new Standards for Student Supervision & Assessment (SSSA) which includes the requirement that all NMC registrants should be ‘suitably prepared’ to undertake the role of student supervision and assessment as part of the nursing role.
Previously, nurses would be required to undertake study post-registration to enable them to support students in practice. These courses were often referred to as mentor training. Students will now have supervisor training during their undergraduate course leading to them being supervisor ready when qualifying.
What is a SSSA Practice Supervisor?
The practice supervisor can be any registered health and social care professional working in a practice environment. They’ve been prepared and supported to take up their role and have up-to-date knowledge and experience relevant to the student they are supervising.
All nurses, midwives and nursing associates in any practice learning environment should be able to undertake a practice supervisor role.
What is a SSSA Practice Assessor?
Practice assessors are registered nurses, midwives, and nursing associates, or in the case of prescribing programmes any qualified prescriber, who assess a student’s practice learning for a placement or a series of placements. A nominated practice assessor also works with the academic assessor to make recommendations for progression for the student they are assigned to.
They have been prepared and supported to take up their role and have current knowledge and experience relevant for the proficiencies and programme outcomes they are assessing.
We have developed slide decks for the relevant training to either become a (i) Supervisor, (ii) Assessor, or (iii) Supervisor and Assessor (see below), which you can download and use for self-directed study.
Upon completion of the self-directed study, you will be required to complete a NMC SSSA Knowledge Test. A score of 80% or more results in a pass and you will be added to the NATH Supervisor and Assessor Register. A certificate will be provided for use as evidence in the NMC re-validation process.
This Supervisor and Assessor Register will be stored by the Nottinghamshire Alliance Training Hub (NATH), but will also be shared with local university placement teams to facilitate student nurse placements within primary care in Nottingham and Nottinghamshire.
When your certification is due for renewal (every two years), you will receive an email from NATH to prompt you to retake the NMC SSSA Knowledge Test. It is therefore important that you keep NATH informed of any changes to your contact details.
The below training is available only to those working within Nottingham and Nottinghamshire. If you work outside this area, please contact your local Training Hub to see what training is available to you.
SSSA Supervisor Training
This is for nurses who have not previously undertaken a NMC approved qualification. You will need to complete the self-directed supervisor training slides and work-based learning activities (which can be downloaded below).
This will provide you with the information needed to complete the NMC SSSA Knowledge Test to become a Practice Supervisor.
Once the workbook activities are completed, please send your Practice Assessor Feedback to alliance.hub1@nhs.net. We will then add you to our Practice Supervisor Register.
SSSA Supervisor and Assessor Transition Training
This is for nurses who have previously undertaken an approved NMC mentorship qualification, such as the 998 or Flips. You can undertake transition training by completing the self-directed supervisor and assessor training slides (which can be downloaded below).
This will provide you with the information needed to complete the NMC SSSA Knowledge Test to become a Practice Supervisor and Practice Assessor.
Once you have completed the training you will be added to our Practice Supervisor and Assessor Register.
SSSA Assessor Training
This is for nurses who have previously undertaken a NMC approved SSSA Supervisor Training qualification. You will need to complete the self-directed workbook for Practice Assessor preparation (which can be downloaded below).
This will provide you with the activities needed to complete the NMC SSSA Assessor training to become a Practice Assessor.
Once the workbook activities are completed, please send your certificate (found at the end of the Example Notepad) to alliance.hub1@nhs.net. We will then add you to our Practice Assessor Register.
If you require any help, support or guidance, please contact the NATH team via alliance.hub1@nhs.net. In the email subject title, please include your name and which SSSA Training you would like support with.
Grow Notts Primary Care App
Nurture your personal and professional development through our GrowNottsPC App; your single point of access to CPD, opportunities and information.
Practice Educator and Assessor Preparation (PEAP) course
Another avenue to prepare you to become a Practice Educator, Practice Assessor or a Practice Supervisor (dependant on your profession) is the Practice Educator and Assessor (PEAP) course on the NHS England elearning for healthcare website.
The course has been designed by a multi-professional academic team in collaboration with a wide range of clinicians and is aimed at a multi-professional audience. It aligns to both the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) Standards for Student Supervision and Assessment (SSSA) (NMC 2018) and the Health and Care Professions Council HCPC Standards of Education and Training (2017).
NMC registrants should complete units 1-6 in order to meet the requirements to be a Practice Supervisor (NMC 2018). Units 7 & 8 should be completed in order to meet Practice Assessor requirements (NMC 2018). HCPC registrants should complete all 8 units in order to become a Practice Educator. The course consists of 8 modules each taking approximately 1 hour to complete.
Tagged as: Placements, Training
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