Awards

Target Award

Award Description:Certificate of Professional Development - CP

Accreditation

British Psychological Society (BPS)

Programme Offerings

Part-Time

B-JMU-MAR
B-JMU-OCT

Educational Aims of the Course

Equip students with the knowledge and skills to implement and evaluate a range of evidence-based low-intensity psychological treatments for people with common mental health problems in primary care settings. Enable students to function effectively as mental health practitioners in primary care settings, equipped with core knowledge and skills in engagement, assessment, problem formulation, collaborative decision making and evaluation. Enable students to function as effective case managers liaising and networking widely with other statutory and non-statutory agencies to facilitate patient centred individualised mental health care for the primary care population. Facilitate the development of knowledge and collaborative skills to promote concordance with medication and treatment for people with common mental health problems. Develop the knowledge and ability of students to engage in, and disengage from therapeutic relationships through the application of appropriate interpersonal theories and skills, demonstrating ethical discernment and sound clinical judgement. Foster the development of collaborative philosophies within students to enable them to work in partnership with patients as unique human beings who have individualised mental health needs. Enable students to operate effectively as fully contributing members of the primary health care team. Produce practitioners who are able to recognise and respect the cultural diversities that arise in health care, challenge discriminatory practice and endeavour to give of their best without prejudice. Lay the foundation for career-long development and lifelong learning in students in order to support best practice and the maintenance of appropriate standards. Understand the complexity of people's health, social and occupational needs and services to support people to recovery through returning to work or other meaningful activity.

Learning Outcomes

1.
Analyse and demonstrate knowledge of, and competence in using ‘common factors’ to engage patients; gather information; build a therapeutic alliance with people with common mental health problems; manage the emotional content of sessions and grasp the clients perspective to include the impact of this on both themselves and the client and hold boundaries.
2.
Demonstrate knowledge of, and competence in, responding to people's needs sensitively with regard to all aspects of diversity, including working with older people, the use of interpretation services and taking into account any cognitive, physical, or sensory difficulties patients may experience in accessing services
3.
Demonstrate knowledge of, and competence in using supervision to assist the PWP's delivery of low-intensity psychological treatment and/or medication programmes for common mental health problems.
4.
Analyse and demonstrate competency in delivering low intensity intervention/ and or pharmacological treatment programme using a range of method including face to face, telephone and electronic communication, including managing the end of contract
5.
Demonstrate knowledge, understanding and competence in using behaviour change models to identify intervention goals and choice of appropriate interventions.
6.
Analyse and be competent in demonstrating knowledge, understanding and critical awareness of concepts of mental health and mental illness, diagnostic category systems in mental health and a range of social, medical and psychological explanatory models
7.
Analyse and be competent in the use of a range of low intensity- evidence based psychological interventions for common mental health problems
8.
Critically evaluate the role of case management and stepped care approaches to managing common mental health problems in primary care including ongoing risk management appropriate to service protocols and NICE guidance
9.
Analyse and apply a non-discriminatory, recovery orientated values base to mental health care and to equal opportunities for all and encourage people’s active participation in every aspect of care and treatment
10.
Analyse and be competent in gathering patient-centred information on employment needs, wellbeing and social inclusion
11.
Analyse and be competent in, and competence in ‘patient-centred’ information gathering to arrive at a succinct and collaborative definition of the person’s main mental health difficulties and the impact this has on their daily living.
12.
Critically evaluate a range of evidence-based interventions and strategies to assist patients in managing their emotional distress and disturbance.
13.
Demonstrate competence in accurate recording of interviews and questionnaire assessments using paper and electronic record keeping systems
14.
Demonstrate competence in planning a collaborative low-intensity psychological treatment programme for common mental health problems, including appropriate frequency of contacts, the use of behaviour change models and managing the ending of contact
15.
Analyse and be competent in the use of low intensity, evidence based psychological interventions for common mental health problems. This work will be supported by the use of the COM-B model, including one-to-one treatment (in person, via video consultation, via telephone, interactive text or computerised cognitive behavioural therapy (cCBT)) and guided self - help groups (in person and via video).
16.
Analyse and be competent in managing a large caseload of people with common mental health problems efficiently and safely.
17.
Analyse and Demonstrate competence in applying the principles, purposes and different types of assessment undertaken with people with common mental health disorders (across in person, telephone and video-based modes of delivery).
18.
Demonstrate knowledge of, and competence in accurate risk assessment with patients to themselves or others
19.
Demonstrate sensitivity and respect for and the value of individual differences in age, sexuality, disability, gender, spirituality, race and culture.
20.
Demonstrate knowledge of, and competence in, responding to people's needs sensitively with regard to all aspects of diversity, including working with older people, the use of interpretation services and taking into account any cognitive, physical, or sensory difficulties patients may experience in accessing services’
21.
Demonstrate awareness and understanding of the power issues in professional-patient relationships.
22.
Analyse and be competent in gathering patient-centred information on employment needs, wellbeing and social inclusion
23.
Analyse and be competent in recognising patterns of symptoms consistent with diagnostic categories of mental disorders from a patient- centred interview and is able to recognise any risk to self and other posed by patients
24.
Demonstrate an appreciation of the PWP’s and critically evaluate the workers own level of competence and boundaries of competence and role, and an understanding of how to work within a team and with other agencies with additional specific roles which cannot be fulfilled by the PWP alone.
25.
Distinguish between high and low intensity psychological treatments
26.
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of, and competence in using the COM-B behaviour change model and strategies in the delivery of low-intensity interventions.
27.
Analyse and be competent in recognising patterns of symptoms consistent with diagnostic categories of mental disorders from a patient- centred interview and is able to recognise any risk to self and other posed by patients
28.
Analyse and be competent in the use of standardised assessment tools including symptom and other psychometric instruments to aid problem recognition and definition and subsequent decision making.
29.
Analyse and be competent in giving evidence-based information about treatment choices and in making shared decisions with patients
30.
Analyse and be competent in the use of low intensity, evidence based psychological interventions for common mental health problems. This work will be supported by the use of the COM-B model
31.
Analyse and be competent in supporting people with medication for common mental health problems to help them optimise their use of pharmacological treatment and minimise any adverse effects.
32.
Demonstrate knowledge of, and competence in developing and maintaining a therapeutic alliance with patients during their treatment programme, including dealing with issues and events that threaten the alliance
33.
Demonstrate competence in assessing and understanding the world view of patients, with a focus on the here and now, including cognitive patterns and biases that link to specific conditions and the implications of these to shape low-intensity working.
34.
Demonstrate competence in assessing and understanding the world view of patients, with a focus on the here and now, including cognitive patterns and biases that link to specific conditions and the implications of these to shape low-intensity working.
35.
Demonstrate understanding of the complexity of mental disorders and competence in conceptualising comorbidity, including how to decide the primary target problem for intervention in the context of comorbidity of mental and physical health problems
36.
Demonstrate the ability to set agreed goals for treatment which are specific, measurable, achievable, realistic and timely (SMART).
37.
Demonstrate competence in understanding the service user's attitude to a range of mental health treatments including prescribed medication and evidence-based psychological treatments.
38.
Demonstrate competence in clinical decision making in terms of choosing the appropriate pathway for a service user after assessment.
39.
Demonstrate competence in identifying patients at assessment who do not fit the criteria for treatment at Step 2 (e.g. those with PTSD, social anxiety disorder or severe mental health problems) and facilitate appropriate stepping up or onward referral.
40.
Demonstrate understanding of and competence in selection of appropriate cases for low- intensity treatment, aligned to NICE guidance and the NHS Talking Therapies Manual. For example, people whose primary problem is social anxiety disorder or PTSD should only be offered a high intensity intervention
41.
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding to map core skills into text-based interventions.
42.
Demonstrate competence in selecting and revising mode of delivery, as necessary on an ongoing basis depending on patient choice, suitability, etc.
43.
Demonstrate an awareness of voluntary, community and statutory organisations in their community that may be helpful to signpost/refer to.

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

Teaching and learning methods used to enable outcomes to be achieved are; lectures, seminars, case discussion groups, experiential learning sessions, reflective practice, formative and summative skills assessments, Practice based learning, guided reading and independent study. A range of assessments are used within the programme:

Written critical reflection/case report (Programme Learning Outcomes): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 40

Clinical simulation (Programme Learning Outcomes): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12, 15, 16, 17, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 30, 31, 32, 33,34, 35,37,38,39,40, 41, 42

Practice Skills Assessment (Programme Learning Outcomes): 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 43

Competencies in practice are continually assessed during supervised clinical practice via the Practice Skills Assessment Document (pass/fail) that form part of the student practice portfolio. The appropriately trained clinical Supervisor will provide weekly supervision and assess the clinical competencies of the programme through a variety of methods - direct observation, analytical discussion of clinical interviews undertaken by the student, observations and shadowing. Practice assessment documents are also exposed to verification processes by academic staff as well as external examiner scrutiny.

 

All modules include supervised clinical practice, students must demonstrate successful achievement of practice skills underpinned by the application of knowledge and intellectual skills. Pattern of study: Semester 1: 6111PSYPWP and 6112PSYPWP Semester 2: 6113PSYPWP. 

The following will also be a requirement of the course • The student will be made aware of and must adhere to the LJMU Fitness to practice policy which will include the student agreeing to clear and transparent communication between themselves ,services and the course team at LJMU • That the student will successfully complete and submit at least 1 live recording of their intervention work with a patient to meet the requirements of the programme assessment strategy.

Opportunities for work related learning

Students on the programme are employed in primary care areas on a full-time basis. Thus they are enabled and supported to implement the skills acquired within the practice area by clinical supervisors. Evidence of their skills are demonstrated by submission of a completed practice skills assessment document assessed and signed by the Supervisor.

Programme Structure

Structure

Level 6
Level 6 Core

Approved variance from Academic Framework Regulations

Students who fail their first attempt at the first part of the competency assessment (skills assessment) in module 6111PSYPWP will be permitted a second, and final, attempt at the assessment prior to completing the second part of the competency assessment (portfolio) and before the Board of Examiners. (Updated 26/03/25) Students … For more content click the Read More button below. All assessment tasks in each module must be passed independently. (approved 25/07/24)

Entry Requirements

Alternative qualifications considered

HECoS Code(s)

(CAH02-06) allied health