This course provides the student with the necessary opportunities to develop advanced skills in the practice of clinical psychology, through a supervised clinical placement in a specialist area.

Trainees undertake placements within an NHS hospital setting, over a 6 month period. The trainee, under supervision, manages a caseload and is required to complete private study to inform clinical practice.

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■ Supervisors evaluation of clinical competence.

Summative assessment: All trainees are supervised by NHS Clinical Psychologists on a weekly basis (clinical supervision). Trainees must also, during reflective analysis and clinical case discussions, show to the satisfaction of the supervisor that they meet all the intended learning outcomes of the course, evaluated in the Supervisor's Evaluation of Clinical Competence.

Trainees are required to complete all summative and formative course assessments.

■ To provide an opportunity to develop complex skills of assessment, formulation, intervention and evaluation within a specialist area of clinical practice.

■ To experience the role of consultancy in health and social care.

■ To provide learning opportunities for the practice of clinical and professional skills in the context of new problems and new circumstances.

■ To provide an opportunity to make complex judgements, especially risk assessments.

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

■ Undertake complex clinical work over a substantial period of time with complex chronic cases

■ Demonstrate complex skills of assessment, formulation, intervention and evaluation within a specialist area of clinical practice

■ Choose, use and interpret a wide range of psychological assessment methods including formal procedures (use of standardised instruments) and other structured methods (e.g. observation or gathering of information from others) in a specialist area of clinical practice

■ Develop detailed problem level and case level psychological formulations of highly complex cases which draw widely upon psychological theory and evidence and incorporate interpersonal, societal, cultural and biological factors

■ Use such formulations to facilitate client understanding, plan appropriate intervention and assist multi-professional understanding and communication

■ Based on the formulation, implement interventions appropriate to the presenting problem and to the psychological, systemic cultural and social circumstances of the client and their family

■ Revise formulations in the light of ongoing intervention and utilise one or more psychotherapeutic models or approaches to facilitate change

■ Make informed judgements on complex clinical issues in the absence of complete data and in novel circumstances

■ Conduct complex risk assessments and formulate appropriate action plans with consideration of the ethical and professional implications

■ Demonstrate self-awareness and ability to work as a reflective practitioner

■ Describe and justify consultancy models and the contribution of consultancy to practice

■ Intervene by training of others (professional staff, relatives and carers)

■ Extend psychological knowledge and development of psychological skills via teaching supervision and consultation.

■ Demonstrate in supervision a high level understanding of ethical issues in clinical practice competency

■ Demonstrate excellent ability to contribute to team management and functioning 

■ Participate effectively in inter-professional and multi-agency approaches to health and social care

■ Work effectively at a high level of autonomy in complex and unpredictable situations, with awareness of the limits of own competence, and accepting accountability to relevant professional and service managers

■ Manage the physical and emotional impact of own clinical practice

■ Demonstrate self management skills and independence of thought and action

■ Display cognisance of the importance of self-awareness and the need to appraise and reflect on their own practice and the need for continuing professional and personal development

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

Students must also complete 400 hours of work placement and satisfactorily demonstrate all learning tasks, placement activities and evaluations to receive credit.