Supervision 

Introduction

Effective supervision of students is essential for successful student placements. Supervisors play an important role in supporting students in their development as professionals and can impact significantly on the learning outcomes and experiences of students undertaking placements in community health.  Supervisors require both clinical competence and the skills and capacity to provide appropriate supervision and support to students.

What is supervision?

There is no one definition of supervision/clinical supervision however there is agreement that it is a practice based process.

Common features of clinical supervision definition include:

• Dedicated interaction between two or more practitioners
• Focus on reflective practice
• Means to generate learning
• Practice enhancement through self evaluation and development

Key Components of Clinical Supervision

• Common understanding by all stakeholders about the purpose and process of supervision
• Clear signed contract/agreement with consistent goals
• Structure of supervision stated; how, when, where and frequency of meetings
• Students learning tracked throughout placement to ensure increased competency
• Meeting clinical standards of professional practice
• Whole of organisation, taking responsibility and supporting placements
• Enabling collaboration
• Conflict resolution process clear and understood
• Assisting transition and change
• Establishing good practice
• Ensuring adequate debriefing and support
• Promoting reflective practice
       Adapted from Rafferty et al 2003

Difficulties in providing student supervision include:

• Workload of staff does not reflect the time required to supervise and support students
• Lack of resources and organizational infrastructure within educational institutions and Community Health Services
• Culture of workplaces; and perception that students are a burden
• Shortage of trained supervisors and the associated costs of providing appropriate training

When selecting staff for student supervision, the following skills and attributes are recommended: 

• Relevant qualifications and minimum clinical experience (two years clinical experience is recommended)
• Clinical and professional knowledge and skills base
• Commitment to act and train as a supervisor
• Effective communication skills
• Knowledge and skills appropriate to the workplace (Spence et al 2002 & Teasdale et al 2001)
• Being able, available, accessible and affable (Roche et al 2007)

Supervision Training

There are a variety of preparation programmes for clinical supervisors. They range from 4 hour to 2 day courses to extensive post graduate qualifications.

The Delta Centre Melbourne provides a one day Professional Supervision Course designed to assist professionals working in the health and mental health system to enhance their skills in facilitating and the learning and development of others and themselves.

The Advanced Clinical Education course offered by the consortium of Monash, Deakin and La Trobe Universities is a three day program suitable for clinical supervisors. As a multidisciplinary course it is appropriate for all allied health and health professionals.  

The Australian Clinical Educator Preparation Programme offers an online program to support practitioners in their role of clinical educators. It was developed through a collaboration of Charles Sturt, LaTrobe, Monash, Sydney and Tasmania Universities as a sustainable national clinical education strategy to provide accessible support to all practitioners who supervise learners in clinical practice.

The Bouverie Centre Graduate Certificate in Systemic Supervision, Consultation and Training
is a postgraduate training qualification in supervision, consultation and training and is particularly suitable for counselling, health and welfare practitioners.

Monash University's Graduate Certificate in Health Professional Education and  Master of Health Education Professional Education include modules on delivering and developing clinical teaching and supervision

The above list of courses is not comprehensive and does not imply endorsement. It is provided for those who may wish to make contact for further information.