Lead Practice Educator - BSW - INTERNAL ONLY

SWAST; Swindon; Hybrid; GBP 48,000 - 64,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

37.5 hour working week

27 days holiday + holidays

Car leasing scheme

Free parking

Cycle-to-work

Staff networks

Discounts across the UK

Job summary

South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust is seeking an experienced Lead Practice Educator to manage practice education across operational shifts and oversee staff development plans.

You will mentor paramedic apprentices, supervise remedial training, and implement action plans from the Education Leads within the Trust guidelines.

Qualifications

• HCPC registered Paramedic for not less than two years or NMC registered Nurse with at least two years frontline ambulance operational experience.
• BSc degree or be enrolled on a BSc top up programme.
• Recognised teaching qualification such as PGCert, PGCAP, AET.
• Vocational assessor qualification such as CAVA, IOSH.
• Clinical Supervision level 6.
• RCUK ALS provider Course.

Responsibilities

• Support staff undergoing supervised practice by working pre-arranged operational shifts.
• Implement action plans set by Education Leads.
• Work in operations on frontline resources under education team guidance.
• Utilise a standard referral process/form to capture development opportunities.
• Review and develop staff within the NQP process, ECAs during preceptorship and new joiners.
• Assess clinicians' ability to work competently and safely within scope of practice.
• Support clinicians returning after periods of absence.

Skills

HCPC registered Paramedic

NMC registered Nurse

Clinical supervision

Education

BSc degree

Teaching qualification (PGCert/PGCAP/AET)

Vocational assessor qualification (CAVA/IOSH)

RCUK ALS provider Course

Tools

NQP process knowledge

ECA preceptorship

Job description

South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust

Lead Practice Educator - BSW - INTERNAL ONLY

The closing date is 30 September 2026

The Lead Practice Educator (LPE) will work on a practice education vehicle on an operational rostered line and facilitate the mentorship and clinical supervision of staff undergoing remedial training and/or action plans set by Education Leads. They will provide a stable, supportive environment for staff to develop.

The LPE will be managed by Operations but work with direction and support also from the Learning and Development (L&D) teams. They will be deployed as a Lead Practice Educator in a manner conducive to facilitating the identified work streams.

As experienced paramedics or ambulance nurses (at least two years post qualifying or two years operational duties in the case of ambulance nurse) they will be expected to undertake the assessment and clinical development of staff which will include, but not exhaustive, those within the NQP processes, ECAs during their preceptorship period. And be the named Mentor for Paramedic apprentices. They will also work with staff under the guidance of specific action plans formulated and overseen by the Learning and Development team. When working with members of staff during routine scheduled work, where no specific action plan has been developed, the Lead Practice Educator will be expected to uphold the standards of practice and ensure the clinician's ability to work competently and safely within their current scope of practice and in accordance with Trust guidelines.

**Please note this vacancy is for internal applicants only**

Main duties of the job

The Lead Practice Educator will support staff undergoing supervised practice by working pre-arranged operational shifts as part of a crew in order to monitor their progress on their individual development plan. They will implement action plans set by Education Leads.

Work in operations on frontline resources with work directed and monitored by the education team

Utilise a standard referral process/form for reviewing frontline shift to capture development opportunities and referral information

Undertake the review and clinical development of staff within the NQP process, ECA's during their preceptorship and new joiners. Work with staff under the guidance of specific action plans from Ops & L&D

Assess clinician's ability to work competently and safely within scope of practice

Support Clinicians returning after periods of absence.

About us

Working for us is an experience like no other. We provide emergency and urgent care, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, operating across the largest ambulance region in England of 10,000 square miles and responding to an average of 2,650 incidents every day.

We remain committed to ensuring that we provide the best possible care for all our patients, which is reflected in our new five-year strategy which has continually improving patient care at its very core.

At the heart of our beautiful and diverse region we employ over 6000 people and are supported by over 575 volunteers.

If you embody our values of one team, compassionate and innovative and are looking to make a real difference to peoples' lives, then we would love to hear from you.

In return we will equip you with the skills, resources and development you need to thrive in your role.

You will have opportunities to progress to roles at a higher pay grade and enjoy continuous professional development.

• A standard working week of 37.5 hours
• Holiday entitlements of 27 days per year, plus general and public holidays, rising to 29 days after 5 years and 33 days after 10 years
• Pay enhancements for out of hours, shift and overtime working
• Career and salary progression
• Car leasing scheme
• Free parking across Trust sites
• Cycle-to-work and other salary sacrifice schemes
• Staff networks
• Access to a wide range of discounts from various organisations across the UK

Job responsibilities

For further information about this role please see the attached job description and person specification.

Right to work / Certificate of sponsorship

This role meets the criteria for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship under current Home Office regulations. Applications are welcome from candidates who require sponsorship to work in the UK.

For further information on visa sponsorship and eligibility, please refer to the UK Government guidance on Skilled Worker visas: www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa

Person Specification

Appointment Criteria

• HCPC registered Paramedic for not less than two years / NMC registered Nurse for not less than two years plus at least two years frontline ambulance operational experience
• BSc degree award or are currently enrolled on a BSc top up programme
• Recognised teaching qualification such as PGCert, PGCAP, AET
• Vocational assessor qualification such as CAVA, IOSH
• Clinical Supervision level 6
• RCUK ALS provider Course

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

South Western Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust