In the Professional Doctorate in Health Psychology, you are required to undertake two years full-time (or part time equivalent) placement learning. This module is an assessment of your practice in your placement setting(s).

In order to pass this module, you will be required to submit:

• Your approved learning plan;
• Monthly Progress Reports;
• Quarterly reports from your supervisor and workplace contact;
• Initial, mid and end of placement visit forms and reports;
• Yearly progress reports (written by yourself, your workplace contact and by your supervisor).
• Reflective logbook of professional practice maintained over two years full-time practice or equivalent.

Placement learning is a central component of your training to become a professional health psychologist. You will usually work within the same setting for the duration of your time on the Professional Doctorate in Health Psychology programme, although some trainees experience a range of different placements (some voluntary) through the programme, and some may even be working in two different placements concurrently. Broadly, any setting where health psychology is practised would be appropriate (e.g. hospitals, primary health care, health promotion, local authorities and academic settings), and must be approved before you commence placement learning.

Identified and approved workplace contact who has undertaken relevant training and Blackboard VLE.

In order for you to engage on this module, your placement(s) must be approved (using the Placement Approval Form).

British Psychological Society (2021). Code of Ethics and Conduct. www.bps.org.uk

Bolton, G. (2018) Reflective Practice, Writing and Professional Development: Fourth Edition

Michie, S. & Abraham, C. (2004). Health Psychology in Practice. Oxford: Blackwell.

Health Professions Council (2016) Standards of Conduct, Performance and Ethics. www.hcpc-uk.org.

1. Demonstrate that you have sufficient professional experience to practise as an autonomous practitioner health psychologist including a systematic acquisition and understanding of professional practice.
(Analysis, Application)

2. Reflect on and review professional practice in health psychology, including recognising needs for further development.
(Reflection)

3. Demonstrate the qualities and transferrable skills necessary for employment requiring the exercise of personal responsibility and largely autonomous initiative in complex and unpredictable situations, in professional or equivalent environments.
(Reflection)

Placement learning will be provided by your placement provider (workplace contact). You will identify and detail your plans for placement learning in your Placement Learning Plan which will be approved by the Programme External Examiner (at the first Progress Board after you have enrolled on the Professional Doctorate in Health Psychology). You will be introduced to placement learning in the Induction Programme and then visited in your placement setting by your University supervisor usually a minimum of three times (at the beginning, middle and end of placement), where you will discuss your placement goals and needs with both your supervisor and workplace contact. Your supervisor will write a report after each of these meetings, summarizing the goals agreed, and commenting on your progress within your placement. Your progress on placement will be monitored by quarterly reports from your workplace contact, where any concerns about your ability to perform your role on placement, and any absences will be noted. In addition, a yearly progress report will be provided by your Workplace Contact, describing your progress over the previous year. In addition, the sessions you attend on the Professional Doctorate programme will provide you with the theoretical learning and context required to help you make the most of your placement. You will also have support from your University Supervisor and module tutors to complete the competences within your placement.

Placement learning is a central component of your training to become a professional health psychologist. You will usually work within the same setting for the duration of your time on the Professional Doctorate in Health Psychology programme, although some trainees experience a range of different placements (some voluntary) through the programme, and some may even be working in two different placements concurrently. Broadly, any setting where health psychology is practised would be appropriate (e.g. hospitals, primary health care, health promotion, local authorities and academic settings), and must be approved before you commence placement learning.