We welcome newly registered AHP’s to Dorset and look forward to supporting their career development in our health and care teams.
Preceptorship is defined as “a period of structured transition for the newly registered practitioner during which he or she will be supported by a preceptor, to develop their confidence as an autonomous professional, refine skills, values and behaviours and to continue on their journey of life-long learning.” – Department of Health (2010)
Health Education England recognises that “moving from the role of allied health professional (AHP) student to the roles of registrant and employee marks an important, and often challenging, transition along both a professional and personal journey. Preceptorship programmes are provided by the NHS and other employers to help newly registered staff make sense of their new status, usually after they have begun work”. More information of offer from Health Education England regarding AHP preceptorship.
Newly registered AHP’s staring their careers in Dorset are encouraged to participate employing organisations preceptorship offers which will be extremely useful.
In addition, newly registered Dorset AHP’s are offered the opportunity to attend 2 wellbeing sessions delivered by Livewell Dorset. The first will focus on your wellbeing and how to strengthen personal resilience. The second session will focus on wellbeing for others, how to have effective wellbeing conversations with patients and motivational interviewing techniques. Each session lasts 2 ½ hours.
Finally, Health Educations England’s “Step to Work” has been produced as an additional support for AHPs before they begin their transition from education to employment in health and social care settings. The need for this additional support became clear during the COVID-19 pandemic as theoretical and practice learning was disrupted.
This programme consists of 8 learning sessions, together with an introductory briefing to the programme and an evaluation activity. The aim of Step to Work is to provide AHPs with guidance, support, and practical tools to help them reflect on the experiences and knowledge they have already gained to help them in their future roles.
The sessions are:
