Definitions

The precise roles of clinical supervisor and educational supervisor vary from site-to-site and specialty-to-specialty. But as educational activities, clinical and educational supervision are quite distinct (Department of Health 2009, Kilminster 2007, Launer 2006). Here they are considered alongside PMETB’s recently published role definitions (PMETB 2009).

Clinical supervision relates to day-to-day oversight of trainees in the workplace and is an activity that involves all clinicians that come into contact with trainees. Clinical supervision involves being available, looking over the shoulder of the trainee, teaching on-the-job with developmental conversations, regular feedback and the provision of a rapid response to issues as they arise. All trainees should have access to supervision at all times with the degree of supervision tailored to their competence, confidence and experience. Within a given training placement, and for each trainee, such arrangements may be the responsibility of a nominated ‘clinical supervisor’.

PMETB defines a clinical supervisor as ‘a trainer who is selected and appropriately trained to be responsible for overseeing a specified trainee’s clinical work and providing constructive feedback during a training placement. Some training schemes appoint an Educational Supervisor for each placement. The roles of Clinical and Educational Supervisor may then be merged’.

Educational supervision relates to the oversight of a trainee’s progress over time. Educational supervisors are responsible for ensuring that trainees are making the necessary clinical and educational progress. Educational supervisors will need all the skills of clinical supervision, plus an appreciation of supporting educational theory, the ability to undertake appraisal, work with portfolios and provide careers advice. Managing the trainee in difficulty will also, inevitably involve the educational supervisor with support from deanery training structures.

PMETB defines an educational supervisor as ‘a trainer who is selected and appropriately trained to be responsible for the overall supervision and management of a specified trainee’s educational progress during a training placement or series of placements. The Educational Supervisor is responsible for the trainee’s Educational Agreement.’

Note that in both instances PMETB requires the supervisor to be ‘selected and appropriately trained’.

Supervisors (and Trusts) should be clear about which of these activities they are engaged in and to communicate this clearly to trainees for whom they are responsible.

Supervisors will normally be expected to hold consultant status within the Trust although it may be appropriate during Foundation stages of training for staff and associate specialists to act as clinical or educational supervisors.