Clinical Placement B2

Overview

The aim of this second and final external placement is to develop advanced levels of competencies across the range of clinical psychology practice areas, including: assessment; intervention; ethical, legal and professional practice; research and evaluation; and communication and interprofessional learning.

Learning outcomes

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Assessment

Content

• The final professional placement course is designed to further develop clinical skills introduced in the initial external placement. Students will be given opportunities to practice their skills while being supervised, however are expected to function more independently in the role of provisional clinical psychologist. Students are expected to engage further in interdisciplinary practice, further developing their identify as clinical psychologists and this is reflected in sophisticated written and oral communication skills. This placement is again undertaken in external field setting and can only commence after placement B1 is successfully completed and passed. Trainees will typically be under the direct daily supervision of an on-site psychologist who meets supervisor registration standards as set out by AHPRA. 
• Clinical Placement B2 can occur at a variety of settings, depending upon the trainee's experience, skill and interests, and the availability of appropriate on-site supervision and a useful training role in the organisation. Placement choices must be planned well in advance and trainees must demonstrate flexibility in relation to placement opportunities and travel. This includes availability to undertake placement during working hours for at least 2 days per week. It is essential to start the placement planning process early to ensure you secure a position on time. 
• In discussion with the placement coordinator, trainees must consider the requirement for breadth of experience as well as their own skill development needs, comparative to the setting undertaken in B1. It is a requirement of the program that trainees have experience with a wide range of client problems (e.g., acute as well as chronic presentations), across the age range (i.e., child, adolescent, adult, older adult), settings (e.g., inpatient, outpatient, day patient, community), and employ a variety of clinical skills (e.g., assessment, treatment, professional).