JumpStart Your Science Career! Pathways in Psychology Presented by Celine van Golde School of Psychology Roderick Lander Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) The University of Sydney Page 1
Celine Van Golde School of Psychology University of Sydney The University of Sydney Page 2
SESSION FORMAT Pathways In Psychology: Careers and the Registration Process 6:05 Introductions 6:10 Speakers Dr Celine van Golde School of Psychology, University of Sydney Roderick Lander Professional Officer - Psychology Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) 7:00 Q&A 7:15 Session concludes 7:20 Refreshments and informal networking in the foyer 8:15 Event closes The University of Sydney Page 3 3
CAREERS CENTRE FREE SERVICES Extensive Jobs Database Subscribe to Job Alert emails Careers Fairs & Employer Information Sessions on campus Career Workshops Resumes, Cover Letters, Job Applications, Interview Technique, Employability, Careers In Information about Graduate Programs Careers Resource Centre (Monday Friday: 9 am to 5 pm) Individual consultations with Career Development Officers Level 5 Jane Foss Russell Building www.sydney.edu.au/careers T: 8627 8403 The University of Sydney Page 4
PSYCHOLOGY SCIENCE PROFESSION Accredited MAJOR IN PSYCHOLOGY (3 YEARS) Accredited HONOURS OR 4 th YEAR EQUIVALENT IN PSYCHOLOGY (1 YEAR) REGISTRATION Careers USING Psychology Careers AS a Psychologist And/Or USING Psychology The University of Sydney Page 5
The skills gained during a major include: MAJOR IN PSYCHOLOGY (3 YEARS) ü Communication skills ü Teamwork and leadership ü Problem solving and analytical skills ü Familiarity with SPSS ü Understanding of research design, data analysis and interpretation HONOURS IN PSYCHOLOGY Project management The University of Sydney Page 6
Graduate Opportunities Using Psychology With Major Advertising/Marketing Management consulting Market & Social Research Public Relations Recruitment / HR Correctional services With Honours All of these PLUS Basic Research in Psychology (e.g. Neuroscience, Cognitive Science) Applied Research (e.g. Traffic accident research, psycho-oncology, educational methods) Child welfare Health promotions Occupational health & safety Public Health Graduate positions in private and public sectors The University of Sydney Page 7 7
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PSYCHOLOGY SCIENCE PROFESSION Accredited MAJOR IN PSYCHOLOGY (3 YEARS) Accredited HONOURS OR 4 th YEAR EQUIVALENT IN PSYCHOLOGY (1 YEAR) REGISTRATION Careers USING Psychology Careers AS a Psychologist And/Or USING Psychology The University of Sydney Page 18
http://sydney.edu.au/careers/career_advice/career_options/science.shtml The University of Sydney Page 19
Roderick Lander Professional Officer Psychology Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) The University of Sydney Page 20
AHPRA and the PsyBA Roderick Lander AHPRA Professional Officer
Today Structure - AHPRA Why psychologists are registered Pathways to registration Area of practice endorsement Registrar program Notifications Questions: some answered and some on notice The University of Sydney Page 22 22
AHPRA Structure Ministerial Council Advisory Council National Boards Agency Management Committee Accreditation Authorities National Committees Support National Office Contract State/ Territory/ Regional Boards Support State and Territory Offices The University of Sydney Page 23 23
In NSW NSW State Government Minister for Health Ministerial Council Advisory Council Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA) Agency Management Committee Health Care Complaints Commission Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC) National AHPRA Office Health Professionals Council Authority Support Psychology Council of NSW NSW Regional Board Support NSW AHPRA Office Conduct, health & performance Registration The University of Sydney Page 24 24
Why are psychologists registered? They are dangerous PSYCHOLOGISTS Risk to the public warrants legislative oversight CLIENTS Vulnerable, easily exploited Can be at significant risk to self and others Have serious mental health problems that should receive evidence-based interventions from appropriately qualified professionals The University of Sydney Page 25
Why register as a psychologist? Use of title psychologist Most employers require registration Access to government funded schemes Medicare, Work Cover, Veteran Affairs Protects the public The University of Sydney Page 26
3.1 Qualified Successful completion of an APAC accredited four-year sequence of study in psychology, or Overseas qualifications that are substantially equivalent 3.2 Suitable person No impairment that would detrimentally affect capacity to practice English language competence Criminal history The University of Sydney Page 27
Pathways to general registration PATHWAYS TO GENERAL REGISTRATION 4+2 5+1 HIGHER DEGREE 2 year full-time internship (or equivalent part-time) Grad Dip Prof Psych PLUS 1 year full-time internship (or part-time) Masters, Doctorate or combined degree (Masters/PhD) PsyBA exam 3 case studies PsyBA exam 2 case studies Uni requirements for completion General registration General registration General registration The University of Sydney Page 28
Higher degree pathway Professional APAC accredited degrees - coursework, placement, applied research (eg Master of Psychology (clinical psychology)) Research-only degrees (eg PhD) are not recognised by the Board Apply for provisional registration when enroll in the degree Apply for general registration when complete the degree Exempt from the National Psychology Exam until 30 June 2016 The University of Sydney Page 29
Pathway to endorsement 4+2 5+1 HIGHER DEGREE General registration General registration General registration Not qualified for endorsement Not qualified for endorsement Registrar program (1-2 years supervised practice) Area of practice endorsement e.g. clinical, counselling, forensic etc. The University of Sydney Page 30
Registrar program Requirements of the registrar program: Complete the higher degree, and Apply to AHPRA to commence the registrar program - 3080 hours of supervised practice (if Masters) - 2310 hours of supervised practice (if PhD/Masters) - 1540 hours of supervised practice (if Doctorate) Apply for endorsement on completion of the registrar program The University of Sydney Page 31 31
Why should I hold an endorsement? Informs the public of your qualifications and experience Use of title e.g., clinical psychologist Supervise higher degree students on placement Provide principal supervision to psychology registrars Some employers require endorsement Note: National Law protects title, not practice The University of Sydney Page 32 32
Maintaining general registration Mandatory Continuing Professional Development (CPD) 30 hours (including 10 hours of peer consultation) Recency of practice Must have practiced as a registered psychologist in the past 5 years Impairment Do not have an impairment that is likely to affect practice Professional Indemnity Insurance (PII) Must not practice without PII The University of Sydney Page 33 33
National Psychology Exam (NPE) Exam commenced in July 2013 Higher degree graduates are exempt (until 30 June 2019) Assess applied psychological knowledge and competencies Multiple choice (150 questions in 3.5 hours) Curriculum and reading list available on Board s website To be taken by: o Applicants for general registration on completion of 4+2 internship o Applicants for general registration on completion of 5+1 internship o Overseas qualified applicants o Those not meeting the Recency of practice standard The University of Sydney Page 34 34
National Psychology Exam Data 247 candidates sat NPE in 12 month period. Pass score set by the Board at 70%. Psychologist age, gender or registration pathway did not influence test outcome in this sample. Passing practice exam somewhat predicted success in the examination. At December 2014, there were 13 attempts to resit NPE. Of these repeated attempts, there were seven passes (53.8%) and six failures (46.2%). The University of Sydney Page 35 35
National Psychology Exam Data Pathway Number sitting NPE Pass rate 4+2 139 87.1% 5+1 50 88.0% Overseas 58 89.7% The University of Sydney Page 36 36
Mandatory Notifications where the practitioner has: a) practised their profession while intoxicated by alcohol or drugs; or b) engaged in sexual misconduct in connection with the practice of their profession; or c) placed the public at risk of substantial harm in their practice of the profession because the practitioner has an impairment; or d) placed the public at risk of harm because the practitioner has practised the profession in a way that constitutes a significant departure from accepted professional standards. The University of Sydney Page 37 37
Voluntary Notifications (complaints) Where the threshold for a Mandatory notification is not met. Typically, complaints are made about: impairment lack of competence criminal behaviour unethical conduct The University of Sydney Page 38 38
Outcomes: Notifications (complaints) Managed by NSW Psychology Council: Request a health assessment Impose conditions on registration (usually around accessing treatment and attending supervision) Order that the psychologist complete a specified educational course Caution or reprimand Suspend registration Cancel registration (HCCC) The University of Sydney Page 39 39
Example: Fail to report sexual abuse Psychologist supervising a Clinical Masters provisional psychologist on placement Client/father disclosed to intern of inappropriately touching his two young daughters at night in bed Neither the intern or the supervisor reported this Intern proceeded to involve one of the daughters in co-therapy with the father despite this being a) beyond her competence, and b)inappropriate in the circumstances Outcome: Registration cancelled (both) The University of Sydney Page 40 40
Example: Boundaries Former patient employed at psychologist s clinic immediately after termination of therapeutic relationship Tribunal decided the psychologist had little knowledge of her ethical responsibilities regarding multiple relationships Patient records altered so as to not indicate further appointments had been scheduled Outcome: Caution and conditions re: supervision The University of Sydney Page 41 41
Example: Record keeping Three letters and some diary notes for 20 months of treatment Explanation proffered - excellent memory, orientation of practice (existential/experiential therapy), and need to build trust of the patient by not making notes - were all rejected by the Tribunal Unprofessional conduct of a serious nature Outcome: Reprimand and a fine Simply put, all psychologists must keep adequate, current, up-to-date records of treatment of clients. Notes should also be of sufficient detail to permit planning for continuity in the delivery of psychological services The University of Sydney Page 42 42
Contact www.psychologyboard.gov.au Phone: 1300 419 495 The University of Sydney Page 43 43
Q&A Session The University of Sydney Page 44
Drinks & canapés now New Law 101 Foyer The University of Sydney Page 45