Specialist Clinical Placement 1 (P02092)

? Credit Points : 40 ? SCQF Level : 12 ? Acronym : HEA-P-SCP1

Specialist clinical placements can be in any area of clinical psychology, including areas that are considered core (Adult Mental Health, Children and Families, Learning Disability and Older Adult). In a specialist placement, the core competencies established in previous placements are deepened and strengthened. Trainees will be likely to work with more complex cases, or using alternate specialist models of treatment, such as consultancy working and training other professionals. In addition to more specialised working in ‘core’ areas, specialist placements can offer opportunities to apply established psychological skills to novel areas such as chronic health problems, neuropsychology, substance misuse services, post-natal mental health services and cosmetic surgery services to name a few.

? Keywords : Clinical Psychology, Clinical Practice, Psychological Disorders, Specialist Placement, Assessment, Formulation, Intervention, Evaluation

Entry Requirements

? This course is not available to visting students.

? Pre-requisites : Compulsory 3rd year core course for D.Clin.Psychol. Pass in all 1st and 2nd year courses

Subject Areas

Home subject area

Clinical Psychology, (School of Health in Social Science, Schedule D)

Delivery Information

? Normal year taken : Postgraduate

? Delivery Period : Full Year (Blocks 1-4)

? Contact Teaching Time : 35 hour(s) per week for 23 weeks

Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of Specialist Placement 1 trainees will be able to:

- Assess, formulate, intervene with and evaluate a range of complex clinical problems as would typically present in the specialist service setting, using a range of psychological theories and knowledge, and drawing on a variety of models of psychological therapies and intervention
- Evaluate the efficacy of treatments and work within a framework of evidence based practice, drawing from and developing the professional knowledge base
- Adopt both direct and indirect modes of intervention to improve and support psychological aspects of health and social care
- Communicate effectively with staff from other disciplines and work within multi-disciplinary teams. Whilst still under clinical supervision, trainees on specialist placements are likely to be more autonomous and take greater initiative and responsibility in managing their own work.
- Build effective alliances with individuals (including staff, clients and carers) from a diverse range of cultural and ethnic backgrounds and often under more challenging circumstances than in core placements.
- Demonstrate high standards of conduct and ethical behaviour consistent with recognised guidelines for professional practice
- Have a deep understanding of the social context within which psychological problems may develop, and how environments may be modified to ameliorate problems
- Have a critical overview of the policy, legislative and planning contexts of the services in which clinical practice is undertaken
- Understand the need for regular evaluation of their work, be skilled in self-reflection and self-awareness, and understand the need for continuing professional development after qualification.

Assessment Information

Performance on placement is evaluated by the placement supervisor, using a structured checklist of clinical competencies. The supervisor's recommendation is used by the Director of Studies to determine if clinical competence has been met. Explicit guidance is given to supervisors about placement evaluation (see above URL) .