What is a mentor?
A mentor according to the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), is ‘a registrant who following successful completion of an NMC approved mentor preparation programme has achieved the knowledge, skills and competence required to meet the defined outcomes.’ (NMC, 2008)
The Health Care Professions Council (HCPC) Standards for Education and Training (HCPC, 2009) outline what is required for the preparation of and expectations of the Practice Placement Educator (PPE) in facilitating learning and assessment of learners. Several individual allied health professional organisations have specified more detailed roles and responsibilities for their placement practice educators.
In general, mentors, practice educators and clinical tutors are responsible and accountable for:
- organising and co-ordinating student learning activities in practice
- supervising students in learning situations and providing them with constructive feedback on their achievements
- setting and monitoring achievement of realistic learning objectives
- assessing total performance – including skills, attitudes and behaviours
- providing evidence as required by programme providers of student achievement or lack of achievement
- liaising with others to provide feedback, identify any concerns about the student’s performance and agreed action when appropriate
- providing evidence for, or acting as ‘sign-off mentors’ (nursing) with regard to making decisions about achievement of proficiency at the end of the programme of study.
You will find NMC, HCPC information on the following web sites:
In addition, please go to your own professional web sites for standards and best practice guidelines including guidance on student ethics and conduct.