Overview
Represents the internship required for registration as a practicing ‘Neuropsychologist’. Students will be expected to work in an appropriate clinical setting under supervision from an approved supervisor.
This paper represents 50% of the supervised practice (or 'internship') elements proscribed by the NZ Psychologists Board for registration in the Neuropsychologist Scope of Practice, in conjunction with taught elements of the PGDipNeuropsych.
About this paper
| Paper title | Clinical Practice in Neuropsychology 1 |
|---|---|
| Subject | Neuropsychology |
| EFTS | 0.1250 |
| Points | 15 points |
| Teaching period | Full Year (Distance learning) |
| Domestic Tuition Fees ( NZD ) | $1,275.88 |
| International Tuition Fees | Tuition Fees for international students are elsewhere on this website. |
- Limited to
- PGDipNeuropsych
- Eligibility
This course is only open to psychologists registered with the New Zealand Psychologists Board. There is no limitation on what scope of practice you will be registered under, however you will be expected to have prior knowledge of assessment, formulation and intervention, as well as simple brain-behaviour relationships, the application of psychometric tests and knowledge of basic statistics. The training is intensive and will require you to undertake 1,500 hours of supervised practice, in addition to your academic study over the two years.
To undertake the PGDipNeuropsych you will need to meet all of the following criteria:
- Hold at least a master's level training in psychology.
- Be a currently registered practitioner with the NZ Psychologists Board, holding a current practicing certificate without conditions.
- Be working at least 0.6 full-time equivalent in a neuropsychology setting, or a health setting with a neuropsychology component.
- Be a New Zealand citizen or permanent resident.
- Undertake regular supervision by an approved neuropsychologist supervisor, at your own (or your employer's) cost. Programme staff will be able to support you to find a suitable supervisor.
- If you are employed by an organisation, we will need evidence of prior approval/support of your service manager.
Course admissions are limited, so admission to the course will be on the basis of academic performance, curriculum vitae, current employment and verification process.
- Contact
- More information link
Study Neuropsychology, Subjects, University of Otago, New Zealand
- Teaching staff
Course Director: Dr Paul Skirrow
Professional Practice Fellow/Tutor: To be confirmed
Professional Practice Fellow/Tutor (Māori): To be confirmed
External and internal guest lecturers.
- Teaching Arrangements
This paper involves a supervised practice in neuropsychology, as well as practice-based tutorials with programme staff.
- Textbooks
Lezak, M. D., Howieson, D. B., Bigler, E. D., & Tranel, D. (2012). Neuropsychological assessment (5th ed.). Oxford University Press. (6th edition due for release in 2023)
- Graduate Attributes Emphasised
Global Perspective,Interdisciplinary perspective,Lifelong learning,Scholarship,Communication,Critical thinking,Cultural understanding,Ethics,Environmental Literacy,Information literacy,Research,Self-motivation,Teamwork.
View more information about Otago's graduate attributes.- Learning Outcomes
This paper is designed to reflect the Context and Perspectives and Professional Issues knowledge components of the Curriculum Guidelines for Qualification in Clinical Neuropsychology developed by the NZSIGN professional body, as well as the competencies prescribed by the NZ Psychologists Board. With this in mind, the key learning outcomes for this paper are:
- A sound knowledge of the philosophical, scientific and ethical principles underlying the practice of neuropsychology and an ability to apply this knowledge as part of competent practice.
- A sound understanding of the legal framework surrounding practice as a neuropsychologist in New Zealand.
- A commitment to the principles of patient-centred practice and the scientist-practitioner model of practice.
- Knowledge of factors impacting on inequalities in health status and outcomes of Māori, Pasifika and other people groups.
- Awareness, knowledge and skills relating to working with diversity, including developmental differences across the life span; recognition that points of difference between themselves and patients affect the efficiency and effectiveness of clinical practice; and key corollaries arising from this recognition.
- Skills in eliciting, documenting and integrating information about a patient's current problem, including its history, formulating a parsimonious explanation for that problem and proposing efficacious and effective solutions.
- Skills in the design, evaluation, administration and scoring of standardised psychological and neuropsychological assessment instruments and interpretation of results from such instruments.
- Skills in identifying psychopathology and differential diagnosis.
- Skills in the identification, design, implementation and monitoring of effective and efficacious neuropsychological treatment and management strategies for common neurological conditions.
- An awareness of, and the skills to manage, uncertainty in clinical practice.
- Knowledge of legal and ethical standards and the application of this knowledge to clinical and practice and conduct in both professional and non-professional forums; dedication to appropriate ethical behaviour and awareness of their own moral values; and the ability to maintain proper boundaries between professional and non-professional roles.
- An awareness of their professional limitations and the willingness to seek help when these limitations are met.