Three years full-time Clinical Psychology Doctorate

Transcription

1 School of Psychology 1 Three years full-time Clinical Psychology Doctorate Individually tailored training equipping clinical psychologists for the challenges of the future. School of Psychology

2 2 School of Psychology About the course This is an integrated three-year course leading to a professional qualification in Clinical Psychology (Clinical Psychology Doctorate) and eligibility to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council. Beginning in 1967 and producing over 500 qualified clinical psychologists, the Clinical Psychology Doctorate has a long and distinguished history at the School of Psychology here at Birmingham. As well as being based in a School ranked 3rd in the UK in the last Research Assessment Exercise, the course also benefits from being well integrated with clinical psychology services in Birmingham, Solihull and the Black Country where clinical psychology is a strong and well-developed profession. Local clinicians sit on all course committees and provide valuable input to the delivery and design of the curriculum. The University has over 28,000 students and is situated on a beautiful campus close to the city centre. The School of Psychology has nearly 800 undergraduate and postgraduate students, 46 lecturers and 50 research staff. The Clinical Psychology Group is comparatively large and the majority of our staff are actively engaged in both clinical work and research. Course philosophy This course provides the opportunity for you to acquire a wide range of knowledge and skills in order to solve problems in clinical settings. We encourage an attitude of critical openmindedness to a range of theories and, in line with current NHS trends, we emphasise the importance of evidence-based practice and evaluation of therapeutic interventions. We encourage trainees to reflect on their clinical work in reflective practice groups, teaching and in written assessments. As with all courses in the UK special consideration is given to cognitive-behavioural approaches. However, trainees are also introduced to other models including behavioural, psychodynamic, and systemic. you can demonstrate you have been either applying psychological principles in a clinical setting or engaged in research that is relevant to a clinical population (eg, as a research assistant or as part of a three-year PhD). The experience could be spread across two years but must equate to one year full-time. Mature candidates with relevant professional backgrounds and qualifications will be considered on an individual basis. Applicants should have experience that includes significant exposure to relevant client groups, is sufficient to provide them with specialist knowledge of clinical psychology and shows that they have the skills to cope with the real life demands of work in clinical settings. This might include clinical research (eg, a PhD or work on a clinically relevant research project) or service delivery (eg, Assistant Psychologist). We are very conscious of being situated in an area of rich ethnic diversity, and try to ensure that ethnic and racial issues are fully addressed in all aspects of the course. The University is an equal opportunities employer and we welcome applications from ethnic minority groups. We make every effort to meet the needs of trainees with a disability. You must also have Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS). People who have taken conversion courses are not at a disadvantage in our process but their first degree must be of a high standard as specified above. Candidates seeking GBC through application to the BPS must have attained this by the time of interview. NB this does not apply to candidates waiting to complete their first degree. Undergraduate psychologists are only considered if they have one year s full-time clinically relevant experience prior to their first degree. For candidates whose first language is not English or whose first degree was not taught in English, we have a set of standards as a minimum requirement. Please check online for full details. Each year we consider a small number of non-eu, overseas self-funding applicants. Such applicants must meet the same entry criteria as those applying for NHS funded places (see previous) and also have overseas fees status. Applications are made directly to the University of Birmingham and not through the Clearing House. For further details please clinpsyd-admissions@contacts.bham.ac.uk Entry requirements You must have either: a 1st class degree; a high 2:1 (ie, a GPA of 65 or above); or if a lower 2:1, a clinically relevant Masters degree in addition. You must also have one year s full-time clinically relevant experience (which can include placement experience from a clinically relevant Masters degree) such that

3 School of Psychology 3 The selection process All applicants will be invited to attend a written test. Therefore, you should only apply if you meet our minimum criteria as even if you do well on the written test, you will not be invited for interview if you do not meet the above criteria. Between 60 and 70 applicants will be invited for interview based on performance on the written test, which will be assessed by members of the course team and local clinicians. This invitation is also subject to satisfactory references. Those with a disability should inform the course and they will be given appropriate support during the written test. The written test will take place in February, and applicants should ensure that they are available to attend at the University of Birmingham around this time. Short-listed candidates are invited to attend for the day which includes three interviews (each with two people). Service users, clinicians and course team members are involved in this process. After the final interview date, offers are made to the most suitable candidates. Written feedback is given on interview performance but unfortunately we are unable to provide feedback on the written test. Financial support and conditions of employment Most trainees are funded by NHS West Midlands which pays trainees a salary throughout their training. NHS funded trainees have an employment contract with one of the local NHS Trusts. All trainees are required to sign a generic code of professional conduct and fitness to practice statement. The salary is on band 6 of the agenda for change pay scales. For further details on pay please see: pay-and-benefits/agenda-for-change-pay-rates/ NHS West Midlands will only fund citizens of the European Union who can work in the NHS without a work permit. However, we do offer a small number of overseas, non-eu, self-funded places. Please contact Dr Ruth Howard, Admissions Tutor for further details at r.a.howard.20@bham.ac.uk Course structure Your time on the course will be divided between teaching, academic work and clinical practice. Teaching consists of workshops, lectures and seminars provided in term time of the three-year period. Placements are provided mainly by the NHS and occasionally by third sector organisations. Academic curriculum Teaching in Years 1 and 2 is organised to link in with the requirements of placement including teaching in: Adult Mental Health, Child, Learning Disabilities and work with Older People. At the same time academic courses in all three years cover a broad range of topics in psychology, providing the knowledge base for clinical practice and training in clinical, professional, therapeutic and research skills. The essential components of the course are given below: Year 1 In the first few weeks of the course trainees participate in intensive training workshops designed to provide them with basic skills prior to their first clinical placement. Amongst the topics covered are: communication skills; problem formulation; the basics of cognitive behavioural, behavioural, systemic and psychodynamic models; working with people across the age span; working with people with disability; and reflective practice. A range of topics are covered in the rest of the first year including: more teaching on the four therapeutic models; therapeutic issues; research methods in clinical practice; and personal and professional issues (including self-care, introduction to specialist areas, eg, neuropsychology and addictive behaviours). Year 2 Second year teaching builds on the areas covered in the first year and also includes specialist training on: psychological therapies; neuropsychology; clinical health psychology; severe and enduring mental health issues; addictions; forensic work; and advanced professional issues. Sub-courses at an advanced level continue into the third year along with individual research supervision. Year 3 Specialist workshops Much of the teaching in the third year consists of one-day specialist workshops that take place in collaboration with the Coventry and Warwick ClinPsyD course. Trainees select from a list of workshops covering a wide range of topics relevant to clinical psychology. Optional workshops take place at both the University of Birmingham and the University of Warwick.

4 4 School of Psychology Research project An individually chosen and supervised research project is initiated in the Spring term of the first year and completed by the summer of the third year. The choice of potential topics is wide and each trainee has a clinical and academic supervisor. The project is written up in a format for submission for publication in a suitable academic or professional journal. The final research volume consists of a literature review, an empirical study and a short public domain briefing document. Staff have a diverse range of research interests that include the use of quantitative and qualitative methodologies in areas that span all ages and most specialities. Clinical experience Clinical placements, which account for 50 per cent of the course, take place in a wide range of NHS hospitals, clinics, community centres and third sector organisations. These are within Birmingham, Solihull and the Black Country. There is one 10-month foundation placement in the first year, during which trainees begin to acquire core competencies. This could be in any of the main specialities. In the second year there are two five-month placements depending on the competencies that trainees still need to acquire. In the third year trainees have the opportunity to express choices for their final two placements (dependent on where competencies need to be achieved and built on) that may be carried out in series or parallel. These are chosen from the wide range of opportunities available across the geographical areas covered by both the Birmingham and Coventry and Warwick courses. Trainee support An Appraisal Tutor, who is a member of the course team, will monitor progress and achievement of core competencies, academic attainment, research progress and help to integrate clinical and academic experience throughout the three years. An individual Personal Tutor (from outside the University) also provides support throughout the three years. Reflective Practice Groups are a compulsory element of the three years of training. There are 8 trainees in each group and they are facilitated by practising clinical psychologists and members of the course team. Trainee feedback on course We place great importance on gaining regular feedback from trainees on all aspects of the course. Such feedback plays an important part in shaping the course and there is trainee representation on all course committees. Assessment Academic The degree of ClinPsyD is awarded after three years on the basis of written assignments, clinical practice reports, ratings of clinical work for all placements and the research project. There are no formal written examinations. Instead we operate a system of continuous assessment designed to sample fully and equally both academic knowledge and clinical skills. In July of the third year of the course there is a viva examination on the research project conducted by two examiners one external and one internal. Clinical All components (placements and clinical practice reports) must be passed separately. University regulations specify the rules for re-submitting failed components. At the beginning of each clinical placement, supervisors and trainees agree on the goals to be achieved. At the end of the placement the extent to which those goals have been achieved is reviewed and rated by the supervisor. Trainees must keep an on-going record of the competencies they acquire on each placement. They also evaluate their experiences on placement. The clinical placement components of the course must be passed each year, separately from the academic components, in order to qualify for the award of the degree. Course fees For NHS funded trainees these are met by Health Education West Midlands. Overseas self-funding candidates should refer to the course website for overseas fees please see: Clinical supervisors In all, about 160 professionally qualified clinical psychologists are available to provide supervision of trainees on clinical placements. This group also provides much of the academic teaching in specialist areas. Supervisors take part in regular BPS accredited STAR training events and additional workshops and meetings for the discussion of issues relating to supervision. Further details relating to the management of clinical placements will be provided to short-listed applicants. Possession of a car or other means of transport is highly desirable as some placements are at a distance from the University.

5 School of Psychology 5 Our staff The main organisation of the course is carried out by the members of the course team listed below with their specialist areas, though many other research associates and honorary staff make a particular contribution to course organisation and teaching. Theresa Powell (Programme Director) Neuropsychology BSc, MSc, PhD, AFBPsS t.powell@bham.ac.uk Biza Kroese (Senior Lecturer) Learning Disability BSc, PhD, MSc, CPsychol b.stenfert-kroese@bham.ac.uk Hermine Graham (Senior Lecturer) Addictions/Psychosis BSc, ClinPsyD h.l.graham@bham.ac.uk Gary Law (Year 1 Tutor/Senior Academic Tutor/MSci Director) Child BSc (Hons), DClinPsychol g.u.law@bham.ac.uk Chris Jones (Research Director) Neuropsychology BA, ClinPsyD c.a.jones@bham.ac.uk Michael Larkin (Research Tutor) Qualitative Research Methods BA, PGcert, PhD, ILTHE m.larkin@bham.ac.uk John Rose (Academic Director and Associate Professor) Learning Disabilities BSc, MSc, MClinPsych, PhD, AFBPsS j.l.rose@bham.ac.uk Gerry Riley (Assessment Tutor/Lecturer) Neuropsychology BSc, MSc, PhD g.a.riley@bham.ac.uk Ruth Howard (Senior Academic Tutor and Admissions Tutor) Clinical Health M.A. (Hons), MPhil, ClinPsyD, CPsychol, AFBPsS r.a.howard.20@bham.ac.uk Michelle Fisher (Clinical Director) Adult Mental Health BSc, MSc, ClinPsyD m.oshea@bham.ac.uk Liz Kent (Clinical Tutor) Adult Mental Health and Learning Disabilities BA, ClinPsyD e.kent.1@bham.ac.uk Teresa Madurai (Clinical Tutor) Child BSc, ClinPsyD t.j.madurai@bham.ac.uk Ruth Butterworth (Year 2 Tutor, Academic Tutor) Child BSc, DClinPsy r.e.butterworth@bham.ac.uk Elizabeth Newton (Year 3 Tutor, Academic Tutor) Psychosis BSc, DClinPsy, BABCP Accredited (CBT) e.k.newton@bham.ac.uk Rupy Kahlon Programme Administrator and Curriculum/Assessment Administrator r.kahlon@bham.ac.uk Jo Price Placement and Employment Administrator j.price@bham.ac.uk Ann Begum Clinical Administrator a.a.begum@bham.ac.uk Karen Kings Clinical Administrator k.s.kings@bham.ac.uk

6 6 School of Psychology What is Clinical Psychology? What is Clinical Psychology? It is the mixture and synthesis of competencies, built on the body of psychological theory and data, which are applied to helping people solve personal, family, group, work or organisational problems that makes clinical psychology unique in health and social care. Core Purpose The process of becoming a Clinical Psychologist Discovering that your degree is only the start! To become a Psychologist of any division (eg. occupational, educational or clinical) postgraduate training is required. To become a Clinical Psychologist you must: Complete an undergraduate degree in psychology (3+ years) Have at least one year s work experience, preferably as an Assistant/Research Psychologist (1+ years) Gain entry onto a Doctorate Course in Clinical Psychology (3 years) There are 30 Clinical Psychology courses in the UK. In 2013 there were 2969 applicants to the 617 places offered. The first steps to being offered one of these sought-after places are as follows: Your degree qualification must be such that you are eligible for the Graduate Basis for Chartership (GBC) of the British Psychological Society (BPS) A 2:1 Degree classification is preferred and is mandatory for some courses (please see Birmingham entry criteria on page 2). It is recommended that you join the BPS as an undergraduate, finances permitting (see for further details). Work experience The more the better! Fellow Assistants have found that Assistant Psychology posts are in high demand and experience is key to finding a suitable job. So to get ahead, our advice is to do at least one of the following as an undergraduate: If you have the option, complete a placement year as part of an undergraduate sandwich course Do voluntary work Work as a nursing assistant Be a support worker The four main areas where experience is desirable are as follows: Adult Mental Health Learning Disability Children and Adolescents Older People Previous work experience with the above client groups (even if not directly related to psychology) demonstrates interest and commitment to a career in Clinical Psychology, and may get you that first Assistant Psychologist interview. There is an advantage in plugging in to a psychology network for information and support, as well as the selection advantage which previous experience gives. To find out about Assistant Psychologist and research posts you should access the: BPS Appointments Memorandum The Guardian (Society in Wednesday s issue) Local newspapers Flyers sent to universities Internal vacancy advertisements within psychology departments (one of the benefits of plugging in to a service) Further skills and abilities Clinical psychologists not only have a role in providing assessment and treatment, but also have an important role in evaluating health care. There is a strong emphasis on the following: Integration of theoretical knowledge and scientific research you need to be fully conversant with research methodology and statistical analyses Published articles of research submit your undergraduate dissertation or a research project to a relevant journal Teaching and training other professionals You will receive The Psychologist and the BPS Appointments Memorandum monthly.

7 School of Psychology 7 Along with academic and occupational expertise the abilities below should be considered: A full clean driver s licence and access to a car are often listed as desirable in Assistant Psychologist job descriptions You may have to be geographically mobile in order to find an Assistant post and posts are usually for twelve months fixed term Desirable qualities If you can demonstrate the following qualities, it will aid you in striving to achieve each stage of professional development: Have care and respect for clients and colleagues alike Be confident and enthusiastic Have excellent coping mechanisms for stress and anxiety Be friendly and out-going Be committed to furthering a career in Clinical Psychology Be open-minded and reflective Have the ability to work as a member of a multidisciplinary team, or independently as an individual using your own initiative Finally, BE PATIENT because the hard work and dedication is worth it in the end Suggested reading We have found the following text books both beneficial and easy to read: Beinart, H., Kennedy, P & Llewelyn, S. (2009). Clinical psychology in practice. BPS Blackwell. Harvey, P. (2001) (ed). The Core Purpose and Philosophy of the Profession. British Psychological Society, Division of Clinical Psychology. As a member, you can also access the BPS careers literature pertaining to Clinical Psychology. Questions, comments and suggestions If you would like any more information please contact us at the address below. We have tried to address the issues we feel are important and hope this information is relevant and helpful to your professional development in psychology. Learn more General enquiries should be directed to the Course Administrator Rupy Kahlon Tel: +44 (0) r.kahlon@bham.ac.uk Doctorate Course in Clinical Psychology Frankland Building School of Psychology University of Birmingham Edgbaston Birmingham B15 2TT Course Director: Dr Theresa Powell Admissions Tutor: Dr Ruth Howard The Clinical Psychology Doctorate made it possible for me to follow up my own ideas and therapeutic stance so as to develop into what I wanted to be as a clinician, rather than some textbook ideal. Clinical Psychology Doctorate student This leaflet was written several months in advance of the start of the academic year. It is intended to provide prospective students with a general picture of the programmes and courses offered by the School. Please note that not all programmes or all courses are offered every year. Also, because our research is constantly exploring new areas and directions of study some courses may be dropped and new ones offered in their place.

8 a School of Psychology College of Life and Environmental Sciences Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TT, United Kingdom University of Birmingham Printed on a recycled grade paper containing 100% post-consumer waste.