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It may assist those instructing medico-legal experts in the field of neuropsychology, and anyone seeking a professional opinion on a clinical neuropsychological matter, to note that a psychologist who is a Practitioner Full Member of the Division of Neuropsychology has had to establish that their qualifications and experience meet a rigorous standard of competence in clinical neuropsychology.
At present, Practitioner Full Members must have first established their professional competence in a related field of applied psychology (usually, but not exclusively, in clinical psychology) sufficient to be eligible to be a Chartered Psychologist. They must then have gained the equivalent of two year's full-time experience working in clinical neuropsychological practice.
From 2002, to become a Practitioner Full Member, applicants must not only meet these criteria, but also satisfy assessors that they have worked under appropriate supervision and met the approved standard by the submission of case studies and research reports. They must also satisfy the examiners in four examinations relating to the underpinning knowledge for clinical neuropsychological practice.
This qualification therefore sets a high standard for clinical practice, and Practitioner Full Members of the Division will have undertaken a minimum of eight years of training from first entering into psychology; the normal period of study will more commonly be ten to twelve years.
Practitioner Full Members of the Division are not only bound by the Code of Ethics and Conduct of the Society (which requires that no psychologist offer services outwith the bounds of their competence), but also by the Practice Guidelines of the Division (which requires that they do not offer medicolegal services without the appropriate training and experience).
This is a voluntary qualification and there may be competent practicising clinical neuropsychologists who are not Practitioner Full Members of the Division. It is also recognised that, for very specific issues, other psychologists including academic psychologists may possess the relevant expertise. However, the Division believes that admission to Practitioner Full Membership provides a clear indication that the psychologist possesses the relevant knowledge, experience and skills in the general field of clinical neuropsychology, and that this will be of assistance to those seeking psychologists appropriately qualified in neuropsychology.
[Note: this is not a full statement of the Rules relating to Membership of the Division. Certain other provisions apply, for example, to those qualified overseas.]
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