8.3 Clinical Advisor Professional Practice Expectations

Fanshawe PSW Clinical Advisor Role

A Fanshawe College PSW Faculty member assigned to PSW students to facilitate, support, and evaluate the PSW students’ Professional Practice Placement: Consolidation and Community.  In collaboration with the PSW Preceptor, Clinical Advisors will facilitate students’ progress and prepare them to meet their Professional Practice Competencies and skills as Personal Support Workers. The Clinical Advisor will oversee students in a Long-Term Care Setting and Community setting (HLTH 3055 and HLTH 3056, second and third student placement).

Clinical Advisor Expectations

• Attend PSW team meetings led by the PSW Program Co-ordinator.
• Become familiar with the Professional Practice setting by initiating introductions and requesting a tour of the Professional Practice Placement setting (prior to the course start).
• Attend agency orientation with students.
• Attend the student Clinical Orientation on campus at the beginning of Level 2.
• Connect with the PSW student at a minimum of two to three times per week (placement visit) and communicate expectations for the Consolidation Professional Practice Placement.
• Seek out professional development opportunities to enhance knowledge of the PSW’s role and strengthen understanding of teaching and learning.
• Facilitate and engage students in the OER: Fanshawe College Personal Support Worker Clinical Professional Practice Resource Hub, additional learning opportunities, and sharing related resources.
• Guide the student in becoming confident in completing the Domains of Practice Competencies evaluations found in the PSW Professional Practice Placement Curriculum.
• Communicate expectations for the PSW Professional Practice Placement.
• Be available to answer questions and teach/guide the PSW students in practice and skills.
• Review, evaluate, and grade all Professional Practice requirements in partnership with the PSW preceptors.
• Review the PSW Consolidation Professional Practice curriculum (found under content in the FanshaweOnline Learning Management System).
• Review and apply Fanshawe College and Agency policies, procedures, and PSW skills in the Consolidation placement setting.
• Demonstrate clinical and instructional knowledge of providing client care, expectations of clinical practice and the role of the PSW.
• Exhibit an approachable and receptive demeanour to students’ learning needs, and provide continuous support.
• Be a positive role model displaying enthusiasm and caring attributes, and a passionate display for the profession of Personal Support Workers.
• Collaborate with students, PSW Preceptors, agency staff, agency administrators and coordinators, Fanshawe College Placement Coordinator and the PSW Program Coordinator.
• Follow proper procedures when ill, there is an agency outbreak, or inclement weather, and be responsible for creating a student contact plan.
• Support student success by initiating a Collaborative Success Plan (see Appendix D), and notifying the PSW Program Coordinator of students who do not meet the Clinical Professional Practice Domains/Competencies.
• Enter final grades in the Fanshawe College learning management system and WebAdvisor.
• Maintain an up-to-date registration with the College of Nurses of Ontario.
• Maintain up-to-date mask fit testing, immunizations, and CPR/First-Aid certifications.
• Complete all learning modules required by Fanshawe College (e-learning) and the Professional Practice Agency.

Provision of Student Feedback

Guidance and feedback will be provided to the PSW student by the Clinical Advisor throughout the Consolidation Professional Practice course. The ongoing feedback from the Clinical Advisor will be provided in consultation with the PSW Preceptor, who is working with the individual student.

Clinical Advisors, in consultation with the PSW Preceptor, will review the Clinical Professional Practice evaluation at the middle and end of the Clinical course with the student. A Collaborative Success Plan (CSP) (see Appendix D) may be initiated between the student and the Clinical Advisor in collaboration with the PSW Preceptor and in consultations with the Program Coordinator, if the student is not meeting the Domains of Practice Competencies.

The Clinical Advisor will meet with the student to discuss and develop a CSP to provide feedback and to develop strategies for the student’s success in the course (A CSP is not meant to be punitive). Examples of CSP initiation may include: repeated absenteeism, late arrivals, unprofessional or safety concerns, concerns in any of the Domains of Practice Competencies. Clinical Advisors are recommended to liaise with the Program Coordinator to provide updates or if assistance is required.

A passing grade in the HLTH 3055 Consolidation Professional Practice course is dependent on student performance of the Domains of Practice Competencies and:

• Attendance & Reliability.
• Appropriate and Professional behaviour at all times.
• Completion of Restorative Assignment (if applicable).
• Professional communication with PSW Preceptor, Clinical Advisor, and allied healthcare professionals.
• Submission of timesheet – indicating completion of the correct number of hours, signed and dated by both the PSW Preceptor and Clinical Advisor (Fanshawe Faculty).
• Demonstration of satisfactory progression in all five Domains of Practice (see Chapter 5.2).
• Completion of Domains of Practice Competencies on the final evaluation forms and a satisfactory grade in each of the five domains of practice.

Student Evaluation

Students are expected to attend all placement hours in order to be successful in the course. Absences may result in an unsatisfactory grade.

Student progress is assessed on the basis of resident care and the Professional Domains of Practice Competencies (see Chapter 5.2). Clinical Advisors, in consultation with the PSW Preceptor, will review the completed Clinical Professional Practice evaluation at the middle and end of the Clinical Professional Practice course with the student.

Adapted with permission from the HLTH 3055 Clinical Professional Practice Curriculum. 2025.  © Fanshawe College.