This course develops the clinical competencies necessary for independent practice as a clinical neuropsychologist. The course forms part of MSc Neuropsychology Practice and is designed to supports the completion of the practice dimension requirement for entry onto the British Psychological Society's Specialist Register of Clinical Neuropsychologists.

Monthly two hour lectures/tutorials, September - June.

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The course is assessed through a Portfolio of Clinical Competence, which includes the completion of supervised clinical practice, case and clinical supervision logs, presentation of six case studies and an oral examination assessing the integration of knowledge and research into practice. The Portfolio of Clinical Competence will be considered as a whole (i.e. all components must be completed to the satisfaction of the oral examination examiners. 

This programme provides the practice dimension required for admission to the British Psychological Society Specialist Register in Clinical Neuropsychology (in conjunction with the Knowledge component that can be obtained via completion of the PgDip Clinical Neuropsychology). The aims of the programme are:

■ To support the development of the clinical competencies necessary for independent practice as a clinical neuropsychologist.

■ To enable candidates to meet the clinical practice requirements for entry to the British Psychological Society Specialist Register in Clinical Neuropsychology

By the end of this course students will be able to:

■ Critically evaluate literature relating to the social, psychological, cognitive and vocational impact of acquired brain injury and neurological conditions both for individuals and systems.

■ Identify cognitive impairment, behavioural changes and emotional difficulties and provide integrated psychological /neuropsychological approaches to manage these.

■ Critically evaluate the structural organisation of neurorehabilitation services and the role of clinical neuropsychology within these services.

■ Use behavioural observations and map them to possible neurological, cognitive or emotional underpinnings.

■ Perform clinical assessment including history taking, bedside cognitive assessment and mental status examination and carry this through to management.

■ Tailor neuropsychological assessment to clients to address appropriate questions.

■ Select, administer and interpret a wide range of assessment instruments.

■ Critically evaluate psychometric principles underpinning the selection, administration and interpretation of cognitive test scores.

■ Describe the range of factors that could affect performance on neuropsychological tests.

■ Critically evaluate neuropsychological profiles associated with a range of common neuropsychological disorders.

■ Construct formulations about the client's neuropsychological status by the deductive process of cognitive assessment in the course of a broader investigation.

■ Use neuropsychological formulations dynamically to facilitate a client's understanding and adjustment, and to plan interventions if required, and revise formulations when necessary.

■ Use formulation to devise and deliver evidence-based and individually tailored psychological and / or neuropsychological interventions with clients and / or systems.

■ Adapt models of therapeutic intervention for psychological difficulty in the context of impaired cognitive functioning.

■ Consider broader psychological interventions appropriate to the presenting 'neuropsychological' difficulty and to the psychological and social circumstances of the client(s).

■ Critically evaluate, the principles of management and rehabilitation of neuropsychological / neurological disorders.

■ Critically evaluate, current treatment and management approaches for a range of common of neuropsychological, neurological and neuropsychiatric conditions.

■ Critically evaluate the role of clinical neuropsychology within mental health services.

■ Communicate neuropsychological hypotheses and conclusions clearly and effectively to specialist and non-specialist audiences.

■ Adapt style of communication to people with a wide range of neuropsychological disorders with differing levels of cognitive ability, sensory acuity and modes of communication.

■ Adapt communication and level of detail used in communication depending on the audience.

■ Provide neuropsychological feedback to clients / systems clearly and sensitively.

■ Critically evaluate the process of providing expert neuropsychological opinion and advice, including the preparation and presentation of evidence in formal settings.

■ Support others' learning in the application of neuropsychological skills, knowledge, practices and procedures.

■ Engage and communicate with assistant psychologists in supervising the effective use of psychometric assessment tools and techniques, behavioural observation and elementary rehabilitation.

■ Use neuropsychological formulations to assist multi-professional communication.

■ Use medical information from various sources in the assessment/formulation process.

■ Critically evaluate formal documents / guidelines in relation to ethical principles of practice, legal and statutory obligations and general professional standards as applied to practice in clinical neuropsychology.

■ Critically evaluate, the political and organisational context of health care delivery as it relates to neuropsychological clients, as well as relevant aspects of NHS and Social Services procedures, including arrangements for community care, support for neurological disability, and care for people who lack capacity.

■ Critically evaluate, the differing requirements for neuropsychology in a range of contexts including private practice.

■ Critically evaluate, general professional issues, and developments in professional arrangements and practice both within a national and an international context, as well as an appreciation in general terms of certain practices and concerns of those professions most closely allied to clinical neuropsychology

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.