Module Catalogue 2025/26

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

The Professional Skills Portfolio involves the development, practice and demonstration of a variety of skills relevant to the profession of clinical psychology and is assessed through the submission of a substantive assignment, incorporating a systematic review of the literature, up to 10,000 words in length. Students enrolled on PSY8089 will be required to participate in a variety of clinical activities and compose a variety of clinical documentation and materials that they will undertake as part of simulated clinical placement activities.

The aims of this module are to:
1.       Enable students to become confident in their ability to carry out and manage a range of clinical activities and author clinical materials such as clinical progress notes and letters
2.       Develop students’ skills in conducting a systematic review of the literature
3.       Provide a sound basis for future professional roles relevant to applied psychology
4.       Enable students to develop skills in interacting with peers and academic and clinical psychologists in a way which will enhance their job prospects and future careers
5.       Facilitate the development of a range of skills which will make students more attractive to future employers, including applied psychology roles (e.g., assistant psychologist) and professional training courses

Outline Of Syllabus

The syllabus will involve students taking part in seminars, clinical supervision and online reflective activities which will support students engaging in a number of clinical tasks and activities. Seminars and clinical supervision sessions will help students to develop and reflect upon a variety of skills and competencies relevant to the profession of clinical psychology and will support and prepare students to undertake related clinical activities and access recordings of a “virtual clinic” as part of a simulated clinical placement. Students will receive direct teaching on topics including (i) Reflective Practice, (2) Engaging effectively with clinical supervision and (3) Conducting a systematic review of the literature.

Work towards the Professional Skills Portfolio will be undertaken throughout the academic year, with the third Semester dedicated to the completion of the portfolio. Simulated placement activities will commence in Semester 2 and will continue into Semester 3, to support the completion of the Professional Skills Portfolio.

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

By the end of this module students will be able to:
1.       Demonstrate an understanding of how to conduct a systematic review of the literature in relation to an area of clinical practice
2.       Describe commonly used approaches to psychological assessment as well as self-report questionnaires commonly used within clinical settings
3.       Be aware of the key information to record within clinical progress notes in relation to psychological assessment and intervention
4.       Understand the role of a clinical psychologist and the process of evidence-based assessment, formulation and intervention and use of clinical supervision

Intended Skill Outcomes

By the end of this module students will be able to:
1.       Demonstrate the ability to organise and prioritise their time and activities through planning and carrying out simulated clinical activities
2.       Demonstrate administrative skills and competency in written communication through recording clinical information in a professional, accurate and understandable fashion
3.       Score and interpret self-report measures which are utilised in mental health contexts
4.       Observe and interpret information within simulated clinical materials
5.       Assimilate clinical information to inform evidence-based case formulations
6.       Conduct a systematic search of the research and clinical literature
7.       Summarise, critique and reflect upon a review of the literature in a topic area related to clinical psychology

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

The teaching methods outlined are designed to facilitate students’ understanding, abstract conceptualisation and application of a variety of skills and competencies relevant to the profession of clinical psychology and other applied psychology roles. Taught seminars will provide in-depth, experiential teaching necessary to plan and conduct a systematic review of the literature and how to approach the simulated placement activities. The simulated clinical placement activities, including clinical supervision , will aim to mirror a variety of clinical tasks and experiences that students would encounter when engaging in placements within NHS clinical settings as part of further professional training or in clinical roles such as that of an assistant clinical psychologist. Such experience will support the completion of the final Professional Skills Portfolio and, more importantly, allow students to develop, become aware of and conceptualise a variety of skills and competencies involved in psychological assessment and intervention.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The Professional Skills Portfolio will be composed of a variety of specified clinical materials, including clinical documentation and will also include a detailed record of their experiences over the course of the simulated placement activities. The portfolio will therefore demonstrate students’ ability to produce written clinical documentation, to understand and conceptualise clinical information, to effectively summarise clinical information and to engage in reflective practice upon their experiences and skill development. The systematic review component of the portfolio will ensure students develop and demonstrate skills in conducting a rigorous review of the literature and a sound grasp of adhering to and reporting their methodology. The Professional Skills Portfolio will therefore serve as a capstone summary of students’ development of relevant skills and competencies and their development as scientist-practitioners. Students will receive formalised formative feedback from course staff on draft clinical materials and the proposed title of the literature review component of their portfolio. Students will also receive incidental formative feedback from peers and course staff throughout the relevant seminars and clinical supervision activities. The Professional Skills Portfolio will, therefore, assess each of the intended knowledge and skills outcomes.

General Notes

N/A