UWA Handbook 2025

Unit Overview

Description

Students work with professionals involved in the management of patients with brain injury, demonstrate their ability to select appropriate assessment techniques for a variety of neuropsychological disorders, conduct neuropsychological assessments in various clinical groups, and communicate the results of these assessments to allied health workers, patients and their carers in an appropriate manner.

Credit

6 points

Offering
(see Timetable)

Availability	Location	Mode
Non-standard teaching period	UWA (Perth)	Off-campus
Non-standard teaching period	UWA (Perth)	Off-campus
Non-standard teaching period	UWA (Perth)	Off-campus

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 in response to the sociocultural diversity/institution background of clients attending the clinical field placement site.; (2) demonstrate a knowledge of the neuroanatomy, neuropathology and disease processes, brain-behaviour relationships, theories of cognitive neuroscience, and psychopharmacology as they apply to neuropsychological practice at the clinical field placement site.; (3) understand the policies and professional procedures of the assigned clinical agency/institution (e.g. referral management and record-keeping).; (4) be aware of the roles of professionals in the multidisciplinary team of the agency/institution (as relevant), 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 upon consultation with supervisor.; (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) under appropriate supervision.; (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, as appropriate and available at the placement site.; (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 culturally diverse clients.; (11) 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 culturally diverse clients.; and (12) 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) components of the placement portfolio (logbook and casebook reports signed by supervisor) collected from cases seen on this placement and (2) placement documents (summary of placement hours, placement reports). Further information is available in the unit outline.

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)

Associate Professor Michael Weinborn

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

one Unit(s) PSYC5538 Neuropsychology Placement I

Contact hours

approximately 330 placement hours

Note

Students enrolled in an APAC accredited program must hold provisional registration as a psychologist. It is the students' responsibility to ensure registration eligibility. Enrolled students are also responsible for maintaining provisional registration for the duration of their enrolment in the program.

PSYC5904 is the last practicum unit in the clinical neuropsychology programs. According to APAC guidelines, across all practicum units (PSYC5538, PSYC5903, PSYC5904) students enrolled in the Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Clinical Neuropsychology are required to complete a total of 1,000 placement hours, and students enrolled in the Graduate Diploma in Clinical Neuropsychology are required to complete a total of 750 hours. The unit coordinator must check that this requirement has been met before students can pass this final practicum unit. Further information regarding placement requirements is available in the Clinical Psychology and Clinical Neuropsychology placement guide.