Chief Assessor - Competence Test Centre

About the job

Fixed Term Until January 2022.

Part time - 0.8 FTE 29.6 Hours per week

Interview date - to be confirmed

We are recruiting a senior nurse or midwife as part of an NHS improvement project to supervise the expanded evening and weekend test centre exams (OSCES) which we will be offering to international nurses seeking entry to the NMC register.

This is an exciting opportunity for a senior nurse or midwife with proven leadership experience to lead a test centre team, which will include lead assessors, clinical assessors, and invigilators.

The post holder will:

• Collaborate with and deputise for the CTC Clinical Manager in the decision making during extended testing hours.
• Deputise for the CTC clinical manager in all clinical and academic matters during extended test centre hours.
• Undertake team leadership roles within the test centre, supporting the lead assessors in the exam moderation process and matters related to the candidate journey.

This is a part time post involving weekends and some evening work. The project contract is fixed term, in line with the duration of the current test centre NMC contract which will be reviewed in Jan 2022.

About you

This post is suitable for lead assessors, senior clinical or educational leaders who have the knowledge, skills and experience in leading teams, and working with OSCEs and similar clinical exams. 

The post holder will demonstrate an understanding of the NMC Standards for Nurses, Midwives and Nursing Associates, and the requirements for those seeking entry to the NMC register. Good verbal and written communication skills will be required to produce clear and concise reports for meetings with other test centre clinical working groups.

Ability to engage and communicate with colleagues from other Test Centres at meetings in line with the post. The post holder will be expected to undertake other responsibilities and tasks as reasonably requested by the line manager.

The post holder will be responsible and accountable for ensuring all employment (CTC) legislative requirements are adhered to including equality and diversity and health and safety issues. Evidence of own Continuous Professional Development in keeping with NMC revalidation requirements.

Qualifications

Essential:

• First degree in a relevant subject (or equivalent) Higher education qualification
• Post registration qualification and experience in a related subject or proven clinical experience/expertise 
• Must have a current Nursing or Midwifery registration with the NMC

Faculty/Department 

The Competence test centre is part of the Faculty of Health Education and Society.

We offer tests of competence which measures candidates against the current UK pre-registration standards for nursing and midwifery.

The distinct fields of practice tested includes: Adult, Child, Learning disabilities, Mental health, Midwifery and Nursing Associates. Our test centre (CTC) is expanding its facilities, and will have the capacity to test over 40 candidates per day.

About Us

The University of Northampton is one of only two Ashoka U Changemaker Campuses in the UK, and in 2017 was awarded the Social Enterprise Gold Mark, an independent guarantee that we have proven to our employees, students and stakeholders that we are committed to continuous improvement across our business in order to consistently deliver a positive impact on people and planet.

Right to Work

All candidates will be asked to provide proof of eligibility to work in the UK at interview.

Equality

We are proud of our diverse student population and applications from Black Asian Minority Ethnic student grow year on year. Equality and the promotion of inclusion are a key value that we are proud to promote. To embed this across the University, to achieve diversity amongst its staff and to improve staff representation, we would like to encourage applications from women, people living with disabilities, and those from the LGBT+ and Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities.