Preceptor Roles and Responsibilities

Preceptor Roles and Responsibilities

Who is a preceptor?

The HCPC defines the role of preceptor as an individual providing one-to-one support to someone undertaking preceptorship^{3 (p.3)}. Depending on local structures and staff experience, the preceptor role may be held by a designated individual or fulfilled by a line manager or supervisor.

What are the roles and responsibilities?

The preceptor will:

Instigate an initial meeting to agree on the structure of the preceptorship period identifying the overall duration, frequency of meetings, and how documentation of meetings will be recorded and stored.
Facilitate the setting of objectives in line with the four pillars of practice and support the preceptee to identify learning opportunities. Preceptors need to have good knowledge of the relevant standards, competencies and objectives required to be met by the preceptee.
Encourage open and active collaboration with the preceptee identifying the importance of a partnership rather than hierarchical relationship.
Support any outstanding local induction requirements that should be completed within the preceptorship period.
Signpost local and national resources and programmes available to the preceptee that supports their period of preceptorship.
Access and maintain appropriate training and education that supports their preceptor role.
Record any new skills of being a preceptor into a CPD portfolio and share experiences widely on how preceptorship impacts practice.

To ensure both preceptee and preceptor are supported in the workplace, all participants should comply with legislation regarding reasonable adjustments, equality, and diversity.

Confidentiality and escalation

As with all supervisory relationships it is understood that preceptorship meetings would be confidential. The exception to this would be in any instance where there is concern for the preceptor / preceptee relationship (for example untenable differences in working relationship), or either parties wellbeing or fitness to practice. At this point usual escalation procedures should take place via line management considering HCPC standards and Once for Scotland Policy.

Preceptor Roles and Responsibilities