Open - HETI - NSW Government

Clinical supervision facilitates:• delivery of high quality patient care and treatmentthrough accountable decision making and clinicalpractice;Voices fromthe fieldWhat is clinical supervision?• acquisition of skills and knowledge;• learning and professional development;• staff wellbeing, by provision of support;• reflective practice;• confidence and competence in clinical practice;• development of professionalism (a professionalidentity and ethical practice);• professional growth and development.Contributing to the professional development of oralhealth professionals can be one of the most rewardingparts of a senior clinician’s job.The importance of active clinical supervision cannot beunderestimated, yet many supervisors feel that they donot always have the time or the skills to provide it.This guide is focused on highlighting the importanceof effective clinical supervision and making it easier foryou to improve your supervisory skills.When I first started supervising, I really struggledto balance my supervisory duties with the needto keep up with my own clinical workload.I remember one day feeling really frustratedthat my supervisee was taking too long to completea task. I was tempted to take over and do it myselfbecause I knew I could do it a lot quicker.However, I remembered what it was likewhen I was starting out. I took a deep breathand let her finish what she was doing.She actually did a really good job!Later in her very successful career, I was fortunateto be present for a talk she gave in which shementioned the importance of the support andpatience I showed her in the early stages.I am so proud that I was able to make sucha positive impact through my role as a supervisor.Voices fromthe fieldAs a student only part way down the road ofbecoming an oral health therapist, I have alreadyrealised the value of an approachable supervisor –someone you are able to admit a mistake to and beconfident that they will help you get back on trackrather than just criticise or demean you.FIRST EDITIONHETI The Superguide15