Staff Resources & Support

Trainees are expected to record the following in their Portfolio:

• Personal details including NMC PIN Number.
• Learning Plan – the ‘Professional Journal Plan’ in the Portfolio can be used for this purpose.
• Record of Learning – All learning activities (these can be grouped into themes e.g. modules completed, eLearning, supervised practice etc)

• All supervision sessions
• An anonymised list of patients seen (gender, approx age, presenting complaint, diagnosis, management/referral and any key learning points). Trainees may wish to keep this as a spreadsheet or word file and upload into their portfolio periodically. A blank template can be found on the trainee ANP moodle site. 

Remember – no patient identifiable information should be kept in your portfolio.

• Competencies
  • Trainees are expected to work through the appropriate competency document and upload a scanned copy to their Portfolio prior to any supervision meetings (relevant competency documents will be given to trainees during the training). The trainee should self-assess and then the Practice Assessor should go through with the trainee. Competencies should be signed as complete when the assessor has seen satisfactory evidence, within the Portfolio, that the competency has been met. Items listed below can contribute towards evidence of competence achievement and should be cross referenced within the Portfolio. 
• Reflection
  • Trainees are encouraged to regularly write up anonymised reflective accounts relating to patients they have seen or from appropriate learning situations.  
• Feedback
  • Supervisor in Practice Reports. Practice Supervisors are expected to feedback at various points throughout a trainees training using the Generic Feedback form in the Portfolio.
  • Trainees are expected to get feedback from a variety of different people for components 1-3 described below:
    1. Mini-CEX – Trainees should include a number of mini Clinical Examination assessments in their portfolio. A mini-CEX should be used where a Practice Supervisor gives formal formative feedback to a trainee on a consultation. Forms can be found on the Portfolio and ‘a ticket’ can be raised so the supervisor can complete. 
    2. DOPS – Direct Observation of Procedural Skill. Once a trainee has learnt a new procedural skill, the Practice Supervisor should give formal formative feedback using the DOPS form. Forms can be found on the Portfolio and ‘a ticket’ can be raised so the supervisor can complete. 
    3. Case Based Discussion – Trainees will discuss numerous cases with their Practice Supervisors. Trainees are encouraged to keep notes on all their significant discussions and to write up formal case based discussions. The Case Based Discussion template within the Portfolio should be used for this.
    4. Multisource feedback (MSF) – Trainees should request feedback from different clinicians (e.g. ANPs and medical staff) and non-clinicians. The generic feedback form in Portfolio can be used and a ‘ticket’ can be raised for the respondent to complete. 

Ultimately, the Portfolio will become a central part of the final sign-off process and trainees should familiarise themselves with the requirements for this on the Final Sign-Off area on this web page.                                                              

Prior to being recorded as an ANP your line manager needs to confirm that you have completed all the required training for the role and have evidence that you meet all the required competencies. This process is termed ‘final sign-off’.

Final sign-off is required when an individual:

• Completes initial training
• Changes job (especially if it’s in a new speciality)

For final sign-off the ANP trainee should select out the ePortfolio evidence which best demonstrates their learning and competence. The trainee ANP will submit a ‘Share-Pack’ of this evidence to their line manager when they are ready for ‘final sign-off’.

The Final Sign-Off Process

Final Sign-off involves:

• The individual’s line manager who will take the lead on the sign-off process
• The Practice Supervisor or a nominated Practice Assessor
• The Education Institution – this would usually be through evidence of completion of a programme of education (for example a copy of the Postgraduate Diploma in Advanced Practice and/or academic transcript)

STEP 1

The trainee ANP will develop a share pack of evidence within the ePortfolio which meets the requirements of final sign-off. 

STEP 2

The tANPs manager sets a date for the tANP to submit the ‘Share Pack’ and shares this with the Practice Assessor. Both would be expected to review the portfolio and confirm it meets the criteria for final sign-off. As a minimum the following is expected:

• Record of their learning including clinical experience as a trainee.
  • A minimum of 400 hours of supervised practice[1] over a minimum of 1 year
  • Evidence of learning[2] covering the following areas:
    • Clinical assessment
    • Clinical reasoning, judgement and diagnostic decision making
    • Anatomy and physiology
    • Non-medical prescribing
    • Leading, delivering and evaluating care
    • Worked based learning
  • Completion of all academic requirements (record of all modules undertake, including copies of transcripts to evidence results and a copy of their final exit award certificate).
    • Copy of a masters level qualification in advanced practice (or evidence of equivalence [this would normally be 120 credits with a minimum of 50% at masters level).
    • Evidence of being recorded with the NMC as a Nurse Independent Prescriber
    • Evidence of being recorded with Health Board as a Prescriber
  • Completed competencies – The competency framework should be completed and mapped to evidence within the ePortfolio.
  • A range of Work Based Practical Assessments[3] demonstrating competence is managing the broad range of patients seen within the role. This is likely to include:
    • Mini-CEX (min 6)
    • DOPS (min 2)
    • Case Based Discussions (min 10)
  • Reflective Accounts (min 10)
  • Evidence that a broad range of patients has been seen (e.g. an anonymised patient log)
  • Feedback from others (min 4 different people)
  • Satisfactory Practice Assessor reports which confirm the trainee has completed training and has been assessed as competent performing as an ANP

STEP 3

The Practice Assessor and Line Manager will together determine whether the trainee has:

• Passed – Satisfactorily passed all academic requirements and evidence of competence to practice in ANP role contained within ePortfolio.
• Provisional pass – satisfactorily passed all academic requirements, but some minor gaps in evidence of competence.
• Fail – either has still to pass all academic requirements or has major gaps in evidence of competence or both.

STEP 4

If the trainee has passed, the line manager would complete the final sign off form. The trainee will upload and add this to the share pack and forward the  completed share  pack to advancedpractice@ggc.scot.nhs.uk for internal moderation.

If the internal moderator agrees that the portfolio meets all of the requirements then the trainee, employed as Band 7 Annex 21 or Band 6, would be expected to move to a Band 7 at this stage. 

If a provisional pass by either line manager or internal moderator, the line manager would set a period of time (no less than 1 month and usually no-more than 6 months) for the individual to obtain the required evidence.

Trainees employed as Band 7 Annex 21 or band 6 would not normally move until competence has been achieved.

If a fail, the line manager, in consultation with others (which may include the clinical supervisor, education supervisor and Human Resources) the most appropriate course of action for the individual. This may include re-doing part of the training or termination of the traineeship.

If the Practice Assessor and Line Manager cannot agree on a grade the view of the internal moderator should be sought.

STEP 5

As part of quality assurance, it is current practice in NHSGGC for all share packs submitted for final sign-off to be internally moderated by an Advanced Practice Lecturer Practitioner.

STEP 6

A sample of portfolios will be externally moderated each year via the Advanced Practice Academy. This mechanism will involve a suitable expert from another Board reviewing ePortfolios and providing feedback to the line manager, the Board Advanced Practice Lead and the Board Nurse Director.

External Experts will be recorded within their employing Board as an ANP or NMAHP Consultant and either have teaching and assessing qualification or be recognised by the Academy as an ‘External Expert’.

The Academy’s recommendations will be advisory only. Ultimately it will be for the employer to determine whether an individual has met all the requirements to practice.

[1] Supervised practice may involve direct supervision where the supervisor is physically present with the trainee or indirect where supervision is provided at a distance or delegated to another clinician

[2] This may include formal academic modules/courses, clinical courses, eLearning, reflection

[3] Individual specialist areas may require higher numbers that specified here

Final Sign off documentation

Click here to see the ‘Final Sign-off’ documentation that the line manager and supervisor in practice will use to assess the ePortfolio.

Example of an ePortfolio share pack

Please click on the link below to see a dummy ePortfolio for a trainee ANP. In this portfolio you’ll see evidence being gathered to meet the requirements for final sign-off.

Please note the numbering system and ordering being used to make it easier for a reviewer to find the evidence.

Abbreviations used:

MCEX – mini-CEX

DOPS – Direct Observation of Procedural Skill (DOPS)

CBD – Case Based Discussion (CbD)

REF – Reflective Account

FFO – Feedback from Others

SPR – Supervisor in Practice Report

Professional Portfolio – View Share Pack (nhs.scot)

Please note this is ePortfolio is provided as a sample and do not scrutinise the evidence provided, it is indicative of whats required. 

The professional development of an ANP requires significant educational commitment and investment to underpin the provision of high quality safe and effective practice. Key to this is a Masters level qualification in Advanced Practice, with core educational focus on the development of competence:-

• Clinical assessment;

• Clinical reasoning, judgement and diagnostic decision making;

• Anatomy and pathophysiology;

• Non medical prescribing- V300;

• Leading, delivering and evaluating care;

• Practice learning/transferable work based learning. For further information on the ANP role in Scotland please see the Transforming Nursing Roles Phase 1 paper (link in the introduction).

ANP Education Programmes

Local ANP education providers include the University of the West of Scotland (for neonatal, paediatric and adult ANP education) and Glasgow Caledonian University (for adult ANP education).Napier University provides role specific training for ANPs in Critical Care.

Information on the new UWS programme and the programme provided at GCU can be found below, together with contact details for the Programme Leaders for more information.

Please discuss your education requirements with the Consultant Nurse for Advanced Practice before enrolling trainees.

(AdvancedPractice@ggc.scot.nhs.uk)

Financial support for education is available, but must be discussed and agreed prior to enrolment. 

University of the West of Scotland, MSc Advanced Clinical Practitioner Programme

http://www.uws.ac.uk/postgraduate/advanced_clinical_practitioner_%28neonatal-child-adult%29/

University of the West of Scotland, MSc Advanced Clinical Practitioner Flyer

Please note that this programme is only for trainee ANPs and has pathways for training neonatal, paediatric or adult ANPs.

Glasgow Caledonian University, MSc Advancing Professional Practice Programme

https://www.gcu.ac.uk/study/courses/details/index.php/P02886/Nursing_Advancing_Professional_Practice?utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=courselisting

Please note that this programme contains many modules. Please discuss the appropriateness of specific modules for a trainee ANP with the Consultant Nurse for Advanced Practice and the Programme Leader.

Transforming roles paper 8 sets the educational requirement to be an Advanced Clinical Nurse Specialist as a minimum of Post Graduate Diploma. 

As this is a recent publication, NHSGGC and the Higher Education Institutions are collaborating to create pathways for ACNS that meet both the academic requirements and the bespoke in-depth clinical learning required of an ACNS. 

It is envisaged that many of the generalist components of ANP education will also be essential for the ACNS:

• Clinical assessment;

• Clinical reasoning, judgement and diagnostic decision making;

• Anatomy and pathophysiology;

• Non medical prescribing;

• Leading, delivering and evaluating care;

As the number of advanced specialists in each field will be relatively small, it is expected that specialist component of ACNS education may come from practice learning/transferable work based learning. Under this model, the HEI works with NHSGGC and the specialist clinical teams to devise learning contracts, and deliver bespoke learning and assessment, to highly specialist trainee ACNS.

For other specialists, there may be ‘off the shelf’ existing specialist education, such as the long running endoscopy module at Glasgow Caledonian University (Module details | Glasgow Caledonian University | Scotland, UK (gcu.ac.uk)) while other specialist modules are likely to be created when the number of trainees requiring a specialist skill warrants a specialist programme, such as the new Glasgow Caledonian University / NHS Education for Scotland Post Graduate Diploma in Non- Medical Cystoscopy

Module details | Glasgow Caledonian University | Scotland, UK (gcu.ac.uk)

Non-medical cystoscopy | Turas | Learn (nhs.scot)

We will update this page over the coming months as things develop. 

NES ANP Service and Education Needs Analysis Tool – Useful questions to help with deciding whether ANP post is needed and to help build any business case.

ANP Service SOP template

Generic ANP Job Description (Adult) – Associated AfC Job Match Report for reference

Generic ANP Job Description (Paediatric)

Agenda for Change, Annex 21 – To convert a post into a trainee post

SOP for new ANP Roles

WoS Advanced Practice Academy Clinical Supervision guidance

NHS Education for Scotland Nursing and Midwifery TURAS ePortfolio

Final Sign-off (DRAFT DOCUMENT)

Metrics (Transforming Roles Advanced Practice Group)

Funding for ANP training is different this year (2020/2021) as NES funding is coming to an end.

NES Funded Trainee ANPs – i.e. Continuing trainee ANPs (i.e. those who started their ANP training during the 2019-20 academic year).

If the trainee ANP is directly employed by NHSGGC then they should complete an SL2 form for the modules being undertaken this year. This should be locally approved and sent to kulvinder.atwal@ggc.scot.nhs.uk as soon as possible (September 2020). This allows purchase orders to be raised. Following this the trainee ANP should receive an email regarding this. If the trainee ANP is employed within General Practice then their practice should have already applied to NES for their funding for this year.

Service Funded Trainee ANPs – i.e. trainee ANPs who are starting their ANP training now (post August 2020).

If the trainee ANP is directly employed by NHSGGC they should speak to their line manager regarding applying for funding. The trainee ANP will be expected to complete an SL2 and submit via their line manager to approval and funding. If the trainee ANP is employed within general practice they should speak to their local practice manager.

Download A tANP SL2 form (with modules listed).

Trainees should apply directly to the University for a place on the appropriate ANP programme. If uncertain about which programme a trainee should go on they should contact advancedpractice@ggc.scot.nhs.uk for advice and to obtain a copy of their education plan.

Please note that funding can only be applied for one year at a time, so a further SL2 form will be needed for the second year of any programme.

It is the trainee’s responsibility to:

• Ensure they know which programme and modules they are to undertake – all trainees should have an education plan which can be obtained from advancedpractice@ggc.scot.nhs.uk
• Complete and submit an SL2 for funding (see above)
• Apply to the university for the appropriate programme (and modules)
• Send a copy of their ‘award letter’ with the relevant Purchase Order details to the university when they receive it.

Important information relating to Non-Medical Prescribing

For the Non-Medical Prescribing module apply via the Pharmacy & Prescribing Support Unit. Email Mandy Logan (mandy.logan@ggc.scot.nhs.uk), Non-Medical Prescribing Co-ordinator for an application pack including your contact details.

ANP trainees should undertake Non-Medical Prescribing at Masters Level (unless already held) at the institution the ANP programme is being undertaken. Please make it clear when applying to the Pharmacy & Prescribing Support Unit which institution the ANP trainee will be studying at.

Practice assessors will assess and confirm the student’s achievement of practice learning for a placement or a series of placements.

This does not mean that practice assessors must make an assessment of each individual environment or placement. Practice assessors do not need to be physically based or employed in each or any of the environments in which the student is placed. The practice assessor assesses the students overall performance for their practice learning, taking account of whether or not the relevant proficiencies and programmes outcomes have been met, and if they display the required values of their profession. They must have sufficient opportunities to observe the student across environments in order to inform their decisions.

A nominated practice assessor will also work with the nominated academic assessor to make a recommendation for student progression. However not all practice assessors will be required to perform this aspect of the role.[1]

This role is to support and supervise nursing and midwifery students in the practice learning environment. All students must be supervised while learning in practice environments.

Practice supervisors can provide supervision in different ways. These depend on different things – it’s the approved education institution’s (AEI’s) responsibility to decide what supervision is appropriate, with its practice learning partners.

Factors that AEIs and their practice learning partners should take into account when considering the way in which supervision may be delivered include:

public protection
student learning needs – both the level of learning required (student competence) and the student’s programme outcomes
student and practice supervisor equality and diversity needs
the availability of practice supervisors and their skills and knowledge.

Practice supervisors should also be able to judge what kind of supervision and support they are able to provide.[2]

Additional specific advice for supervising prescribing students is available on page 12 of Realising professionalism: Standards for education and training Part 3: Standards for prescribing programmes.[3] Higher Education Institutions should also forward tailored information relating to their own module directly to nominated assessors. For advice on NHSGGC trainees undertaking prescribing modules please look here: NHSGGC NMP Policy

Each of the Higher Education Institutions have their own documentation that students are required to have supervisors read / sign off for different modules. All trainee ANP / ACNS now require to have evidence of supervised practice within their Turas Professional Portfolio, and we have our own guidance document.[4]

Trainees can ‘raise a ticket’, i.e. email you an official request for feedback, either formative or summative, that is sent directly back to, and is stored within their portfolio. This can take a variety of formats which are explained within the advance practice toolkit. [5]

Further support is available from the NES document A National Framework for Practice Supervisors, Practice Assessors and Academic Assessors in Scotland. [6]

There is also a series of learning modules on Turas Learn Practice Supervisors and Practice Assessors’ Learning Resource.[7]

[1] What do practice assessors do? – The Nursing and Midwifery Council (nmc.org.uk)

[2] What do practice supervisors do? – The Nursing and Midwifery Council (nmc.org.uk)

[3] programme-standards-prescribing.pdf (nmc.org.uk)

[4] the TURAS Professional Portfolio In advanced nursing practice (nhsggc.org.uk)

[5] https://www.advancedpractice.scot.nhs.uk/education/turas-professional-portfolio.aspx

[6]https://www.nes.scot.nhs.uk/media/fxdd4d01/scottish_approach_to_student_supervision_and_assessment_interactive.pdf

[7] https://learn.nes.nhs.scot/45749/future-nurse-and-midwife/practice-supervisors-and-practice-assessors-learning-resource

“The Advanced Clinical Nurse Specialist (ACNS) is an experienced and highly educated registered nurse working within a specific field of practice. They manage, deliver, advise on and support the care for people within a specialist area. Educated to at least Postgraduate Diploma level in an appropriate subject, they are assessed as clinically competent in their defined specialty. They have a wider scope of practice than the clinical nurse specialist at Level 6 and will manage greater complexity.

As a clinical leader they have the autonomy to act and accept responsibility and accountability for their actions, acting as an expert advisor or resource for others. This includes specialist assessment and treatment using a holistic approach to managing complex, multidimensional situations. This may require management of care over a prolonged period of time. They have the authority to refer, admit and discharge within appropriate clinical areas. Their practice is characterised by a high level of clinical decision making based on in-depth, expert knowledge in their specialism of care delivery.

Working as part of the multidisciplinary team, they can work in or across all settings, including non-clinical areas, dependent on their area of expertise.” (CNOD 2021).

ACNSs train in post for the role. Trainee ACNSs are usually CNSs before they embark on deepening and broadening their knowledge for an ACNS role. Trainee ACNSs are increasingly being formally employed in training posts (using Annex 21 from Agenda for Change) while they learn. Trainee ACNSs are supervised whilst they learn additional skills and will also undertake appropriate post-registration education at postgraduate level at university to support their learning. Trainee ACNSs will build a portfolio of evidence to demonstrate they are competent to practice which is formally assessed at the end of their training.

The Trainee Advanced Clinical Nurse Specialist Guide

Transforming Roles Paper 8 sets out the core competencies for any ACNS. To these additional specialist competencies are added. The competency framework needs to be completed before a new ACNS can be regarded as appropriately prepared.

ACNS are paid at a minimum of Band 7

Advanced Practice is a level of practice, rather than a specific role or title (Transforming Nursing Roles Paper 2 CNOD 2017)and  has four pillars of practice, which the ANP must have as part of their core role and function. These  are:-

• Clinical practice

• Leadership

• Facilitation of learning

• Evidence research and development

” An Advanced Nurse Practitioner (ANP) is an experienced and highly educated Registered Nurse who manages the complete clinical care for their patient, not solely any specific condition. Advanced practice is a level of practice, rather than a type of speciality of practice.

ANPs are educated at Masters Level in advanced practice and are assessed as competent in this level of practice. As a clinical leader they have the freedom and authority to act and accept the responsibility and accountability for those actions. This level of practice is characterised by high level autonomous decision-making, including assessment, diagnosis, treatment including prescribing, of patients with complex multi-dimensional problems. Decisions are made using high level expert, knowledge and skills. This includes the authority to refer, admit and discharge within appropriate clinical areas.

Working as part of the multidisciplinary team ANPs can work in or across all clinical settings, dependent on their area of expertise.”

(Scottish Government 2017)

“The Advanced Nurse Practitioner role has a specific focus on the clinical pillar, but must demonstrate competence within all four pillars of advanced practice. With regard to the clinical pillar all ANPs must be able to demonstrate competence in:

a) Comprehensive history-taking
b) Clinical assessment 
c) Differential diagnosis 
d) Investigations 
e) Treatment 
f) Admission, discharge and referral.” (Chief Nursing Officer Directorate, Transforming Nursing Roles Paper 2, 2017)

Transforming roles ANP competency frameworks are available here NHSGGC : Key Documents

ANPs are paid at a minimum of Band 7, and within NHSGGC the generic ANP Job Description should be used for any new Band 7 ANP roles.

Advanced Nurse Practitioners who work within General Practice and are not directly employed by NHSGGC but work within the Board area, are encouraged to join the Board held list of ANPs in General Practice. The benefits of joining this list are:

• On-going access to specific ANP education and information

The process to join is exactly the same as for those who are Board employed, but with the following grandfathering arrangements for those employed before 2010 or between 2011 and 2017.

Advanced Nurse Practitioners in General Practice Guidance Document

Employed as an ANP prior to 2010

Expected to demonstrate that they:

• meet all the appropriate competencies for their area of practice,
• can evidence the formal learning undertaken relevant to the role which may have been below master’s level (commonly degree level modules)
• provide evidence of recent workplace based assessments (within last 5 years)
• provide satisfactory feedback from others (minimum of 4 within the last year)
• provide a satisfactory supervision report
• provide evidence of reflection and a broad range of patients seen
• evidence continuing professional development

Employed as an ANP between 2011 and 2017

In addition to the above, ANPs employed between these years should demonstrate master’s level  learning. This could be done, for example, through having completed a module at master’s level.

Employed as an ANP after 2018

Expected to demonstrate that they meet all the appropriate competencies for their area of practice, a master’s level qualification in advanced practice, workplace based assessments, reflection, feedback from others, and a satisfactory final supervisors report (see Final Sign-off).

Recording General Practice ANPs

There are two stages to the process.

                Stage 1: Involves the Post being recognised as an ANP post (please note that posts which utilise the Board’s generic ANP job description automatically meet this requirement)

                Stage 2: Final Sign-off (see Final Sign off)

A completed ‘Final Sign-off’ form and the poster-holder’s Job description should be submitted to the Consultant Nurse for Advanced Practice (AdvancedPractice@ggc.scot.nhs.uk) . Following the moderation process the following will occur.

• The individuals name, NMC number, NHS email address and place of work will be recorded on the Board held list of GP ANPs
• The individual will receive written confirmation that their name has been recorded (a copy will be sent to their line manager and practice supervisor)
• Access will be given to the NHSGGC ANP Continuing Professional Development Moodle site so that ANPs can be kept up-to-date with news and resources relevant to ANPs including West of Scotland Advanced Practice Academy CPD days
• Annually the ANP will receive an email asking them for confirmation that they remain in their ANP post (a nil response will be taken to mean that the individual has left the post and their name will be removed from the list).
• Annually, ANPs will be requested to submit an updated ‘share pack’ from their ePortfolio evidencing continuing professional development and reflection on practice to their line manager.

[1] Set out in Chief Nursing Officer’s Directorate (2017) Transforming Nursing, Midwifery and Health Professions’ (NMaHP) Roles: Paper 2 Advanced nursing practice. Edinburgh: Scottish Government

An ANP who moves from one broad area to another, for example from acute care to primary care, is still regarded as an ANP while they transition. In this example, the ANP can be viewed as an Acute Care ANP practising within Primary/Community Care until they have met all the Primary/Community Care competencies.

Transitioning ANPs will need a Practice Supervisor and Practice Assessor to help them meet any learning needs and assess that they’ve met all appropriate competencies for their new role.

Transitioning ANPs may choose to undertake additional courses to help with transition.

Evidence of meeting additional competencies will need to be uploaded into the ANP’s Professional portfolio, a transitioning ANP sign-off form, should be completed by the Practice Assessor and line manager and emailed to advancedpractice@ggc.scot.nhs.uk along with the portfolio sharepack link. A sample of transitioning portfolios will be moderated

The ANP will then be recorded on the Board’s Advanced Practice database under the new broad area as well as their previous area.