| Unit name | Clinical Practice Portfolio |
|---|---|
| Unit code | PSYCM0064 |
| Credit points | 40 |
| Level of study | M/7 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Academic Year (weeks 1 - 52) |
| Unit director | Professor. Kit Pleydell-Pearce |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Pre-requisites |
None |
| Co-requisites |
None |
| School/department | School of Psychological Science |
| Faculty | Faculty of Life Sciences |
This unit delivers significant elements of the British Psychological Society Qualification in Clinical Neuropsychology (QiCN) formal Practice Dimension which is one of the requirements for entry to the Specialist Register of Clinical Neuropsychologists.
This unit aims to provide clinicians with support to meet the BPS Qualification in Clinical Neuropsychology Practice Dimension which includes assessment of supervised practice. Supervised practice is the experiential process designed to develop a candidate’s knowledge and skills so that s/he is competent to practise independently as a clinical neuropsychologist. Supervised practice builds upon the academic components of the QICN by requiring the development and demonstration of practical skills in applied settings.
The system is designed to ensure that candidates who complete the QiCN are able to meet, to an appropriate standard, a range of work demands within their particular contexts of employment. It maintains a clear emphasis on what the candidate actually does, and on the understanding and demonstration of good professional practice, whatever the setting. The key features of the system are that it:
1. Emphasises the acquisition and demonstration of generic and specific core competencies as a practitioner
2. Is planned, with flexibility to allow necessary changes;
3. Is facilitated by experienced professionals, that is, your Supervisor(s);
4. Involves the recording and collection of evidence of achievement (see above for full details of what you will need to submit);
5. Is subject to independent assessment and ratification by the Clinical Neuropsychology Qualifications Board.
Overall the learning outcome is to prepare and advise you on the appropriate construction of your clinical portfolio and prepare you for the demands of a viva.
Virtually all teaching will be via distance learning given that most clinicians taking this unit will be distributed across the UK and professional commitments will mean that regular travel to Bristol is infeasible.
Teaching will include regular group sessions with other clinicians seeking the QiCN practice dimension in which generic and some specific clinical practice issues will be explored.
There will be focused discussions of how to handle the demands of a viva examination and indications of what to expect in these examinations.
There will be sessions dedicated to the writing and construction of case reports in QiCN format.
Where relevant clinicians will have 1:1 sessions with clinical tutors in order to discuss specific aspects of their own developing QiCN practice portfolio.
Supervision will ensure that candidates are aware that their portfolio submission meets all BPS requirements.
Assessment is based on performance in a viva chaired by two approved members of the BPS Specialist Register. The assessment is based on (A) the quality of submitted work, (B) capacity to deal with questions probing knowledge during the viva. The submission will include brief details of three clinical cases encountered previously which reflect formative experiences and show your ability to reflect and learn from those prior experiences. Henceforth these are termed “formative cases.” Candidates also need to submit 3 QiCN case reports written specifically for this unit and these will form the primary basis for viva questions. Henceforth these additional 3 cases are termed “substantive cases.” In addition candidates need to submit a log of their clinical cases (a representative sample) and in addition a log of their supervised practice. Together, these submission requirements represent the “Clinical Portfolio.” Assessment will lead to a single mark based on quality of submitted work and performance in the viva. The pass mark is 50% and the essential requirement for passing is demonstrating clinical competence as defined within BPS regulations (which are openly available to both clinicians and to candidates).
The Clinical Portfolio submitted for assessment must contain:
(a) A Case Log Summary covering the required period of supervised clinical practice, in the format given in the separate booklet of forms.
(b) Case Log Record Sheets for a representative sample of cases undertaken during the period of supervised clinical practice.
(c) A Supervision Log, giving date and duration of each supervision, signed by yourself and your Supervisor.
(d) The six case studies as detailed above.
The 3 “substantive” case studies must each be strictly no more than 4000 words and should include a front sheet, an appendix giving test results, and a clinical case report. You are encouraged to include representation of data in graphs, tables or other visual form, if this is relevant and will help the reader to understand the progress or outcome of the case.
Relevant information including candidate handbook, supervisor handbook & supervision contract forms can be found on the BPS websitehttps:[Http:////www.bps.org.uk/psychologists/society-qualifications/qualification-clinical-neuropsychology|//www.bps.org.uk/psychologists/society-qualifications/qualification-clinical-neuropsychology](Last Accessed 27/03.2018)
