Competencies

APS College of Clinical Psychologists

I. B o d y o f K n o w l e d g e "
1.1 Areas of nsvcholoav relevant to the soecialist area
Normal and Abnormal Psychology
Theories of Psychopathology (bin/psycho/social)
Psychopharmacology
Diagnostic Classification (DSM IV, ICD 10)
Behavioural Health Management
Personality Theories
Brain-behaviour relationships, psychophysiology, physiological psychology
Cognitive Processes
Learning Theory
Developmental Psychology
Social Psychology. Group Processes
Cross Cultural Psychology
Organisational Knowledge/Organisational Behaviour
Research Design & Statistics
Professional Networks in Psychology - eg APS, Registration Board
* Knowledge in these areas is continually updated with the clinician remaining abreast of the clinical and
research literature
1.2 Non-psychological knowledge relevant to the specialist area
Australian Institutions, culture and society
Law and codes of conduct - practice as an expert witness
Staff supervision, human resources management
Financial management - basic accounting, taxation, government funding, drafting a funding request.
Professional development
Time management
Education, teaching & training
Consultation, case & project management
State Mental Health Acts
1.3 Maior methods an~l instruments (appropriate application, validity, reliability, theoretical basis) used in
assessment
Research methods
Statistics
Statistical analysis (including computing packages eg SPSS)
Test design and construction (psychometrics)
Psychometrics and survey statistics
Descriptive research methods
Program/treatment evaluation
2. S k i l l s i n P s y c h o l o g i c a l A s s e s s m e n t *
2.1 Com~tencies in psychological assessment methods and instruments appropriate to the specialist area
Interviewing for personal / psychiatric history (including MSE)
Behavioural analysis and assessment
Personality assessment
Group assessment - group processes
Psychological Testing - Group A and Group B Tests
Group A (not restricted to psychologists)
Behavioural assessment instruments (eg Beck, Hamilton, STAI etc)
Group tests of intelligence (eg Raven's Progressive Matrices)
Aptitude batteries (eg Differential Aptitude Tests)
Tests of creativity and reasoning
Educational achievement tests
Occupational tests

6 Clinical Psychologist July 1996

 Career counselling and guidance tests
Environmental psychology (eg Social Climate Survey)
Health Psychology
Group B (restrictedto psychologists)
Individual intelligencetests - adult and child (eg Stanford Binet, Wechsler Scales etc)
Neuropsychological Tests
Self report personality inventories
Competency in the appropriate administration and interpretationof above instruments (validityand reliability).
* Knowledge in these areas is continually updated with the clinician remaining abreast of the clinical and
research literature
3. Application (Intervention) Skills *
3.1 Selection and application of interventions appropriate to the specialist area
Problem formulation/diagnosis (implied treatment)
Individual/couple/family therapy (evidence based treatments)
Group based treatments (evidence based)
Program design, implementation and evaluation within avariety of settings (medical, psychiatric, rehabilitation)
Referral to other health professionals
Counselling strategies
3.2 Proven competence in the design, implementation and evaluation of intervention strategies.
* Knowledge in these areas is continually updated with the clinician remaining abreast of the clinical and
research literature
4 . 0 Clinical p s y c h o l o g y also covers t h e following areas in w h i c h practitioners
m a y c l a i m c o m p e t e n c e , d e p e n d i n g on training and experience*
4.1 Behavioural Medicine: Application of psychological methods and interventions in the assessment and
modification of maladaptive behaviour (causative, associative, contributory and in response to) physical and
medical illnesses. Observation and participation in the application of psychological interventions in physical
illness (eg. management and rehabilitation following transplant surgery; modification of cardiac, diabetic risk
factors etc.)
4.2 Health Psvcholo~: Clinical psychologists either through supervision of others or through direct
involvement are concerned with:
a) Effective health promotion presentations to community groups and business
b) Facilitation of education of both client and professional groups
c) Competence in motivational interviewing and teaching of motivational interviewing to other professionals
d) Conduct primary and secondary intervention strategies for at risk individuals
e) Initiate, organise, and analyse process and outcome evaluations
f) Design, implement and supervise programs to enhance quality of life for chronic conditions and disabilities
4.3 Paediatric or Geriatric Psvcholo~
Theories and therapies deriving from this area with empirically proven results.
Alternative therapies - strengths and weaknesses.
Application of evidence based treatments in childhood disorders and disorders of old age.
Developmental theory - normal and abnormal development - developmental disability and disorders.
Abnormal childhood behaviour.
Psychiatric syndromes of childhood / old age.
Dementia.
Behavioural medicine - psychological effects of chronic illness and specific medical conditions on children or
the aged.
Neuropsychological / educational assessment of target individuals.
4.4 Neuroosvcholo~:
Brain behaviour relationships, neuroanatomy, neurophysiological syndromes.
Methods and instnunents of assessment.
Interpretation of results.
Rehabilitation and management of neuropsychological disorders - evaluation of interventions.
Forensic issues in clinical practice.
* Knowledge in these areas is continually updated with the clinician remaining abreast of the clinical and
research literature

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