UWA Handbook 2025

Unit Overview

Description

This unit is the first practical placement unit in the Clinical Neuropsychology program and includes a variety of either internal or external placement experiences, or both, completed over the course of a non-standard teaching period (e.g. teaching period P6: 10 months—March through to December). The unit includes a preparation for placement component within the Robin Winkler Clinic identical to that provided in PSYC5678 Practicum I (formerly PSYC8678 Practicum I). There is also a 'risk aware' module which provides training in clinical risk awareness and management.

Students, in consultation with the placement coordinator, choose a variety of assessment and intervention experiences within the internal clinic, and/or external clinical neuropsychological experiences. These experiences allow students an opportunity to work with children, adults and older adults across a range of settings, including an internal neuropsychology community clinic.

Trainees are able to build basic clinical skills (including interviewing and interventions) as well as skills and experience in psychological and neuropsychological test selection, scoring, interpretation and communication of results during feedback sessions and case conferences, and report writing.

Credit

6 points

Offering
(see Timetable)

Availability	Location	Mode
Non-standard teaching period	UWA (Perth)	Face to face

Outcomes

Students are able to (1) demonstrate the ability, as a scientist practitioner, to critically evaluate and apply relevant literature in professional practice, with due consideration of functioning across the life-span and evolution of any underlying pathology over time, and in response to the sociocultural diversity/background of clients attending the clinic; (2) demonstrate a knowledge of neuroanatomy, neuropathology and disease processes, brain-behaviour relationships, theories of cognitive neuroscience, and psychopharmacology as they apply to Neuropsychological practice; (3) understand the policies and professional procedures of a clinical agency/institution (e.g. referral management and record-keeping), as they are applied by different supervisors and in different sub-specialties.; (4) be aware of the roles of professionals in the multidisciplinary team of the agency/institution, work alongside others with respect for their skill-set; and in accordance with ethical responsibilities know when to liaise with or refer to other professionals if reaching the limit of one's own professional expertise; (5) gather information from multiple sources including review of prior documentation, in-depth clinical interview, and risk assessment; and then synthesise this to determine the most appropriate intervention (including risk management where indicated); (6) administer and interpret Neuropsychological tests, with an understanding of underlying cognitive/behavioural and psychometric theory (e.g. the importance of symptom validity testing); and to integrate this with other sources of information including observation and functional/collateral measures, to assess Neuropsychological disorders.; (7) evaluate psychopathology, as well as neuropathological and neuropsychological disorders, with reference to relevant international taxonomies of classification; (8) select appropriate interventions based on the evidence base and the client's needs (including rehabilitation, behaviour management/remediation), monitor clients' progress over time, and adapt one's formulation and treatment plans in light of new information; (9) engage in self-reflective practice to notice the impact of one's own values and beliefs on professional practice, and to evaluate the effectiveness of one's professional work; and implement changes to address areas for improvement; (10) employ professional communication skills to communicate findings, in oral and written formats (including formal reports) using culturally appropriate language and with a range of socially and culturallly diverse clients; and (11) demonstrate knowledge of the Australian Psychological Society (APS) Code of Ethics and how it guides clinical practice.

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) supervisor placement evaluation reports (Paediatric and Adult rotations), online quizzes and electronic logbook of practicum activities; (2) active participation and attendance (clinic meetings and case conferences, supervision, seminars/workshops, client assessments/feedbacks, intervention modules); delivery of case presentations; and (3) completion of Neuropsychological assessment reports; casebooks and logbooks; client files and progress notes; ability to comply with administrative requirements as per professional guidelines. Further information is available in the unit outline.

To pass this unit, a student must: (a) achieve an overall mark of 50 per cent or higher for the unit; and (b) achieve the requisite requirements(s) or a mark of 50 per cent or greater, whichever is higher and specified in the unit outline, for the supervisor placement evaluation reports (Paediatric and Adult rotations), online quizzes and electronic logbook of practicum activities, active participation and attendance (clinic meetings and case conferences, supervision, seminars/workshops, client assessments/feedbacks, intervention modules); delivery of case presentations, and completion of Neuropsychological assessment reports; casebooks and logbooks; client files and progress notes; ability to comply with administrative requirements as per professional guidelines components.

This unit is assessed on an ungraded pass/ungraded failed basis. All assessment items must be successfully completed.

Supplementary assessment is not available in this unit.

Unit Coordinator(s)

Dr Andrew Sheridan and Dr Di Harvey

Unit rules

Prerequisites

Enrolment in

01890/54590 Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Clinical Neuropsychology
or 53390 Graduate Diploma in Clinical Neuropsychology

and Successful completion of

two Unit(s) PSYC5672 Foundations in Clinical Skills I Unit(s) PSYC5673 Foundations in Clinical Skills II

Contact hours

Minimum 400 hours (including observation, supervision, supervised clinical work and case presentations), of which 160 direct client contact. A record of signed hours and activities must be kept using the electronic logbook system and submitted at the end of semester.

Note

Students enrolled in an APAC accredited program must hold provisional registration as a psychologist and a valid Working with Children Check (WWCC). It is the students' responsibility to ensure registration eligibility. Enrolled students are also responsible for maintaining provisional registration and WWCC for the duration of their enrolment in the program, and renewals need to be submitted well ahead of time to prevent lapses.