Being a good clinical supervisor is no easy task. You’ve been recognised for your skills and expertise in the workplace, and now you’ve been tasked with helping student veterinary nurses to succeed by sharing those things.
Whether you’re currently a clinical supervisor, interested in becoming one in the future, or looking to find someone to be your clinical supervisor; take a look at just a few of the traits you will find behind a great clinical supervisor:
1. They master the art of “active listening”
Active listening skills are critical to being a good clinical supervisor, because the success of clinical supervision is built upon how well you communicate with each other. Clinical supervisors who know how to listen actively will not simply sit back and listen to what someone has to say; they will go the extra mile to make sure their students know they’re being heard. Active listeners will sit up straight, take notes, ask open questions that push discussion, repeat what they’ve heard to clarify their understanding, and provide verbal gestures to show they’re following what you’re saying.
2. They’re willing to share skills, knowledge and expertise
People who are not just in it for themselves and genuinely care about the success of a business make the best clinical supervisors, because they’re not greedy or coy with the skills and experience they have to offer. Instead, they’re actively invested in the success of others in the organisation, want to see people do well and are willing to teach others what they know in order to help them.
3. They act as a positive role model
More than anything else, good clinical supervisors should be good role models to the people they’re developing. The best clinical supervisors are people who take pride in what they do, want to grow and truly care about their own careers, as they are more likely to want to make the most out of their mentoring programme. What’s more – because they carry high expectations for themselves, they will bring high standards into the clinical supervisor and student relationship and push for ambitious goals in their students too.
4. They focus on helping others to “problem solve”
Good clinical supervisors understand the value of practical guidance and feedback in helping someone to think about and solve personal and professional problems constructively, which is what clinical supervision is all about. What’s more – they can ask the right questions and prompts that allow others to understand their strengths and weakness and set appropriate career goals for themselves.
5. They value ongoing learning and growth
Good clinical supervisors don’t just believe they can learn something from anyone and anything, they know they can and therefore actively look out for opportunities to learn something new. They understand that they have just as much to gain from mentoring as their mentee, and that the relationship can expose them to new ideas and ways of thinking that will aid their personal and professional growth. They may undertake further training by completing an advanced veterinary nursing qualification, attending CPD courses or congresses such as Clinical Supervisor Congress, or even studying professional coaching and mentoring qualifications to develop in their role as a mentor.
Develop the skills to nurture growth, with a Coaching and Mentoring qualification
If you’re interested in developing your mentoring skills, our Coaching and Mentoring qualifications, accredited by the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM), can help you support development within the workplace, as well as gain confidence in influencing, guiding and supporting those around you.
For further information on our courses, or details about how to apply, visit our website.