a handbook for supervising allied health professionals - HETI - NSW ...

THE SUPERGUIDE
About this handbook
HETI has produced this guide in response to the request from many involved in
supervising allied health professionals for a simple and practical guide to clinical
supervision. Along with the supportive functions of supervision, it is also acknowledged
that in practice many supervisors are also involved in teaching and training of staff to
facilitate professional development and competence in clinical practice. This guide
therefore also provides information to equip supervisors with practical strategies to
facilitate adult learning and the acquisition of skills and knowledge.
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This handbook is not a policy document. It gives tips and suggestions based on the
published evidence of what makes good supervision and the knowledge of many
experienced supervisors in New South Wales.
It provides information about:
• supervising allied health professionals in ways that contribute to the safety and
better care of patients
• effective methods of contributing to the education, welfare and professional
development of allied health professionals
It is acknowledged that supervision terminology and requirements are varied across the
allied health disciplines. In addition, it is important to recognise that each discipline has
different requirements for registration and continuing professional development. There
are sections of this guide which are more applicable to the supervision of junior allied
health professionals, however, whilst learning needs change with experience of individual
clinicians, it is hoped that the principles of this guide can be applied to all allied health
professionals throughout their careers.
This document should be used in conjunction with existing discipline specific supervision
requirements, Local Health District* supervision and other policies. It will be reviewed
regularly to ensure that information made available to supervisors is current and useful.
This guide, updates and other useful resources are available on the website of the
Health Education and Training Institute: www.heti.nsw.gov.au
NSW Health supervision policies can be found at www.health.nsw.gov.au
* Please note the term Local Health District used in the context of this document includes speciality health and hospital
networks such as St Vincent’s Health Network, Forensic Mental Health Specialty Network and Sydney Children’s
Hospitals Specialty Network.