NHS Trust awarded quality mark wants to attract top talent
Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust (HWHCT) has been awarded the National Preceptorship Nursing Interim Quality Mark from NHS England.
The quality mark is the gold standard that NHS organisations are benchmarked against and is awarded to those who provide high-quality preceptorship for newly-registered nursing staff.
Preceptorship is a period where newly-registered clinicians are supported in the transition from student to practitioner, so they can gain confidence and familiarise themselves with the role.
The Preceptorship Programme at HWHCT provides 12 months of support for newly-registered clinicians and those who are internationally educated. During this, staff attend dedicated study days on a variety of topics, such as patient safety, leadership, and career development.
Clinical Practice Development Lead for the Trust, Tom Challacombe, said : “We’re absolutely delighted to be accredited with the Quality Mark. It highlights the fantastic work of the preceptorship team across the Trust and enhances our offer when recruiting talented candidates”.
In a bid to attract top-tier talent, HWHCT is actively enhancing its staff nurse recruitment. Regular recruitment events, including one scheduled for prospective staff nurses on November 22nd at Princess of Wales Community Hospital (4 pm - 7 pm), offer aspiring candidates the chance to apply online or drop in on the way, potentially interview on the same day, and receive job offers.
Tom adds: “Recognising that many newly-registered clinical staff may have mixed feelings when they start their role, we have designed a high-quality preceptorship program to provide professionals with a structured period of transition, support, and great opportunities for career advancement within the Trust.”
To build on its preceptorship programme, HWHCT has introduced peer-to-peer preceptorship forums and appointed preceptorship champions within their wards and units. Tom said: “Preceptorship champions are experienced colleagues who have volunteered their wealth of knowledge and are passionate about providing support to newly registered clinicians. This kind of support is crucial to equip newly-registered staff with the tools and confidence to thrive here.”
The Trust has delivered a multi-professional preceptorship programme for many years, which supports other registered clinicians, such as allied health professionals and psychological wellbeing practitioners.
To find out more about the Preceptorship programme and recruitment events on offer at HWHCT, please visit the careers website.