Assignment

Desired Clinical Skills for Students to Achieve

Confident (Can complete independently)

Mostly confident (Can complete with supervision)

Beginning (Have performed with supervision or need supervision to feel confident)

New (Have never performed or does not apply)

Comprehensive psychiatric evaluation skills in: 

Recognizing clinical signs and symptoms of psychiatric illness across the lifespan

X

Differentiating between pathophysiological and psychopathological conditions 

Performing and interpreting a comprehensive and/or interval history and physical examination (including laboratory and diagnostic studies) 

Performing and interpreting a mental status examination 

Performing and interpreting a psychosocial assessment and family psychiatric history 

Performing and interpreting a functional assessment (activities of daily living, occupational, social, leisure, educational).

Diagnostic reasoning skill in:

Developing and prioritizing a differential diagnoses list

Formulating diagnoses according to DSM 5 based on assessment data 

Differentiating between normal/abnormal age-related physiological and psychological symptoms/changes

Pharmacotherapeutic skills in:

Selecting appropriate evidence based clinical practice guidelines for medication plan (e.g., risk/benefit, patient preference, developmental considerations, financial, the process of informed consent, symptom management) 

Evaluating patient response and modify plan as necessary 

Documenting (e.g., adverse reaction, the patient response, changes to the plan of care)

Psychotherapeutic Treatment Planning:

Recognizes concepts of therapeutic modalities across the lifespan

Selecting appropriate evidence based clinical practice guidelines for psychotherapeutic plan (e.g., risk/benefit, patient preference, developmental considerations, financial, the process of informed consent, symptom management, modality appropriate for situation) 

Applies age appropriate psychotherapeutic counseling techniques with individuals, families, and/or groups

Develop an age appropriate individualized plan of care

Provide psychoeducation to individuals, family, and/or groups

Promote health and disease prevention techniques

Self-Assessment skills:

Develop SMART goals for practicum experiences 

Evaluating outcomes of practicum goals and modify plan as necessary 

Documenting and reflecting on learning experiences

Professional skills:

Maintains professional boundaries and therapeutic relationship with clients and staff

Collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams to improve clinical practice in mental health settings 

Identifies ethical and legal dilemmas with possible resolutions

Demonstrates non-judgmental practice approach and empathy

Practices within scope of practice

Selecting and implementing appropriate screening instrument(s), interpreting results, and making recommendations and referrals:

Demonstrates selecting the correct screening instrument appropriate for the clinical situation 

Implements the screening instrument efficiently and effectively with the clients

Interprets results for screening instruments accurately

Develops an appropriate plan of care based upon screening instruments response

Identifies the need to refer to another specialty provider when applicable

Accurately documents recommendations for psychiatric consultations when applicable

Empathy is one of my greatest strengths and is also one of the most essential needed skills in the healthcare field. This semester, I intend to utilize this skill alongside active listening and attention to detail to give my patients the utmost care. Also, as a clinician, I understand the need to seek help when needed from my preceptor, who has been practizing and, with his expertise in this field, will be able to guide me. I will demonstrate professionalism at all times by being punctual and ready to learn and contribute to the Patient’s well-being as I work towards being a competent Practitioner. 

In the next ten weeks of this practicum session in working with my preceptor and treatment teams, I will be looking for growth in the aspect of learning new prominent signs and symptoms of psychiatric diagnosis, Indications for prescribing specific psychotherapy, strategies to collect patient background, Improve my nonverbal assessment cues and observation of the Patient’s signs and symptoms of mental health disorder. I would also love to know more about handling and addressing family dynamics and individual personalities.

Goal: I will be able to recognize specific signs and symptoms associated with certain mental health issues by the end of this quarter

1.
objective: I will be able to list up to 10 new potential diagnoses with their reasons at the end of this quarter

2.
Objective: I will be able to confidently put together a list of potential diagnoses for each client by the end of the quarter

3.
Objective: I will observe and have my preceptor explain to me how the Patient’s potential diagnoses are chosen and concluded

Goal: My goal is to work with my preceptor and the rest of the treatment team for the best outcome for the Patient’s health this quarter

1.
Objective: 
To assess and reassess the patients as needed for a positive outcome.

2.
Objective: To modify the Patient’s treatment as needed for a positive result

3.
Objective: To assess the Patient’s reaction to medication therapy and appropriately make a choice on how to alter the care by using the pt’s information

Goal: My goal is to improve my communication skill, increase my attentiveness to the Patient’s concerns, and learn communication strategy by the end of the semester.

1.
Objective: I will watch my preceptor’s way of communicating with the Patients.

2.
Objective: I will ask my preceptor and the treatment team questions related to patients to enhance my learning.

3.
Objective: I will relate with the Patient on my clinical days as much as possible.