Competency Testimony 1

Guidance Notes

Applicants seeking Wales Approved Clinician status who are multi-professionals or registered medical practitioners not included on the GMC Specialist Register for Psychiatry require support to provide evidence for their portfolio to demonstrate competencies.

This will include periods of shadowing Responsible Clinician(s) (RC) which may take place in a variety of services. A demonstration of the use and understanding of the Mental Health Act should be included for the various responsibilities they undertake. An RC must have known the applicant for a minimum of three months.

You have been approached by an applicant who is in preparation for Approved Clinician status. Your role is to provide an appraisal of their competency and capability across a range of parameters that have been identified as central to the role of Approved Clinician under the Mental Health Act 1983 (as amended 2007). The term ‘capability’ is used because, although you may not have directly observed a specific activity, you have sufficient knowledge of the applicant to be able to confidently infer that their skills, knowledge and experience would or would not transfer readily to a particular parameter.

Based on your knowledge of the applicant you are asked to consider all aspects, to confirm whether you feel the applicant has appropriate/sufficient knowledge. You must complete the evidence/testimony for each competency.

Competency Testimony 1

1. The Role of the Approved Clinician and Responsible Clinician.

1.1 A comprehensive understanding of the role, legal responsibilities and key functions of an approved clinician and responsible clinician.

2 Shadowing of the AC/RC in order to demonstrate this competency must include clear evidence of the applicant having demonstrated the ability to make all the key decisions reserved to the RC. They should have considered, on more than one occasion, each of the following decisions:

• Renewal of detention,
• Discharge from detention,
• Granting of Section 17 leave; and
• Application for CTO

Where the applicant is a Registered Medical Practitioner or Nurse Prescriber they should also demonstrate, on more than one occasion, consideration of the decision/s around consent to treatment specific to section 58 MHA.

3 Although the applicant cannot actually implement any of their decisions, they must have written confirmation from the RC whom they are shadowing that they have demonstrated sound decision-making ability, using appropriate and good clinical judgement and risk assessment skills.

Competency Testimony 3

Guidance Notes

Applicants seeking Wales Approved Clinician status who are multi-professionals or registered medical practitioners not included on the GMC Specialist Register for Psychiatry require support to provide evidence for their portfolio to demonstrate competencies.

This will include periods of shadowing Responsible Clinician(s) (RC) which may take place in a variety of services. A demonstration of the use and understanding of the Mental Health Act should be included for the various responsibilities they undertake. An RC must have known the applicant for a minimum of three months.

You have been approached by an applicant who is in preparation for Approved Clinician status. Your role is to provide an appraisal of their competency and capability across a range of parameters that have been identified as central to the role of Approved Clinician under the Mental Health Act 1983 (as amended 2007).

The term ‘capability’ is used because, although you may not have directly observed a specific activity, you have sufficient knowledge of the applicant to be able to confidently infer that their skills, knowledge and experience would or would not transfer readily to a particular parameter.

Based on your knowledge of the applicant you are asked to consider all aspects, to confirm whether you feel the applicant has appropriate/sufficient knowledge. You must complete the evidence/testimony for each competency.

3 Assessment

3.1 The ability to identify the presence or absence of mental disorder and the severity of the disorder, including whether it is of a kind or degree warranting the use of detention under the 1983 Act.

3.2 The ability to undertake mental health assessments incorporating biological, psychological, cultural and social perspectives.

3.3 The ability to assess all levels of clinical risk, including (but not limited to) the safety of the patient and others within an evidence based framework for risk assessment and management.

3.4 The ability to demonstrate a high level of skill in determining whether a patient has capacity to consent to treatment.

4 Where the applicant is a Registered Medical Practitioner or Nurse Prescriber they should also demonstrate, on more than one occasion, consideration of the decision/s around consent to treatment specific to section 58 MHA.

5 Although the applicant cannot actually implement any of their decisions, they must have written confirmation from the RC whom they are shadowing that they have demonstrated sound decision-making ability, using appropriate and good clinical judgement and risk assessment skills.

Competency Testimony 5

Guidance Notes

Applicants seeking Wales Approved Clinician status who are multi-professionals or registered medical practitioners not included on the GMC Specialist Register for Psychiatry require support to provide evidence for their portfolio to demonstrate competencies.

This will include periods of shadowing Responsible Clinician(s) (RC) which may take place in a variety of services. A demonstration of the use and understanding of the Mental Health Act should be included for the various responsibilities they undertake. An RC must have known the applicant for a minimum of three months.

You have been approached by an applicant who is in preparation for Approved Clinician status. Your role is to provide an appraisal of their competency and capability across a range of parameters that have been identified as central to the role of Approved Clinician under the Mental Health Act 1983 (as amended 2007). The term ‘capability’ is used because, although you may not have directly observed a specific activity, you have sufficient knowledge of the applicant to be able to confidently infer that their skills, knowledge and experience would or would not transfer readily to a particular parameter.

Based on your knowledge of the applicant you are asked to consider all aspects, to confirm whether you feel the applicant has appropriate/sufficient knowledge. You must complete the evidence/testimony for each competency.

5 Treatment

5.1 The skills and knowledge necessary to harness the specialist treatment expertise of multi-disciplinary teams for the benefit of the patient. To include (but not be limited to) an understanding of the roles and specialist competencies of the various members of a multidisciplinary team, in relation to specific treatments and therapies.

5.2 Broad understanding of all mental health related treatments, i.e. physical, psychological and social interventions.

6 Shadowing of the AC/RC in order to demonstrate this competency must include clear evidence of the applicant having demonstrated the ability to make all the key decisions reserved to the RC. They should have considered, on more than one occasion, each of the following decisions:

• Renewal of detention,
• Discharge from detention,
• Granting of Section 17 leave; and
• Application for CTO

Where the applicant is a Registered Medical Practitioner or Nurse Prescriber they should also demonstrate, on more than one occasion, consideration of the decision/s around consent to treatment specific to section 58 MHA.

7 Although the applicant cannot actually implement any of their decisions, they must have written confirmation from the RC whom they are shadowing that they have demonstrated sound decision-making ability, using appropriate and good clinical judgement and risk assessment skills.

Competency Testimony 7

Guidance Notes

Applicants seeking Wales Approved Clinician status who are multi-professionals or registered medical practitioners not included on the GMC Specialist Register for Psychiatry require support to provide evidence for their portfolio to demonstrate competencies.

This will include periods of shadowing Responsible Clinician(s) (RC) which may take place in a variety of services. A demonstration of the use and understanding of the Mental Health Act should be included for the various responsibilities they undertake. An RC must have known the applicant for a minimum of three months.

You have been approached by an applicant who is in preparation for Approved Clinician status. Your role is to provide an appraisal of their competency and capability across a range of parameters that have been identified as central to the role of Approved Clinician under the Mental Health Act 1983 (as amended 2007). The term ‘capability’ is used because, although you may not have directly observed a specific activity, you have sufficient knowledge of the applicant to be able to confidently infer that their skills, knowledge and experience would or would not transfer readily to a particular parameter.

Based on your knowledge of the applicant you are asked to consider all aspects, to confirm whether you feel the applicant has appropriate/sufficient knowledge. You must complete the evidence/testimony for each competency.

7 Equality, diversity and rights

7.1 The ability to demonstrate up to date applied knowledge and understanding of relevant equality legislation and equality issues.

7.2 An awareness of how cultural factors and personal values can affect practitioners’ judgements and decisions in the application of mental health legislation.

7.3 The ability to identify, challenge, and where possible redress discrimination and inequality in all its forms in relation to approved clinician practice.

7.4 The ability to demonstrate up to date applied knowledge and understanding of the rights of children and young persons.

7.5 The ability to demonstrate up to date applied knowledge and understanding of the rights of older people, in particular the right of older people to make their own decisions about their lives.

8 Shadowing of the AC/RC in order to demonstrate this competency must include clear evidence of the applicant having demonstrated the ability to make all the key decisions reserved to the RC. They should have considered, on more than one occasion, each of the following decisions:

• Renewal of detention,
• Discharge from detention,
• Granting of Section 17 leave; and
• Application for CTO

Where the applicant is a Registered Medical Practitioner or Nurse Prescriber they should also demonstrate, on more than one occasion, consideration of the decision/s around consent to treatment specific to section 58 MHA.

9 Although the applicant cannot actually implement any of their decisions, they must have written confirmation from the RC whom they are shadowing that they have demonstrated sound decision-making ability, using appropriate and good clinical judgement and risk assessment skills.

Competency Testimony 9

Guidance Notes

Applicants seeking Wales Approved Clinician status who are multi-professionals or registered medical practitioners not included on the GMC Specialist Register for Psychiatry require support to provide evidence for their portfolio to demonstrate competencies.

This will include periods of shadowing Responsible Clinician(s) (RC) which may take place in a variety of services. A demonstration of the use and understanding of the Mental Health Act should be included for the various responsibilities they undertake. An RC must have known the applicant for a minimum of three months.

You have been approached by an applicant who is in preparation for Approved Clinician status. Your role is to provide an appraisal of their competency and capability across a range of parameters that have been identified as central to the role of Approved Clinician under the Mental Health Act 1983 (as amended 2007). The term ‘capability’ is used because, although you may not have directly observed a specific activity, you have sufficient knowledge of the applicant to be able to confidently infer that their skills, knowledge and experience would or would not transfer readily to a particular parameter.

Based on your knowledge of the applicant you are asked to consider all aspects, to confirm whether you feel the applicant has appropriate/sufficient knowledge. You must complete the evidence/testimony for each competency.

9 Communication

9.1 The ability to communicate effectively with professionals, patients, carers and others, particularly in relation to decisions taken and the underlying reasons for these, and including an ability to determine whether a patient has capability or competency to consent to a treatment.

9.2 Consideration of the particular needs of individuals for whom Welsh is their language of choice.

9.3 Consideration of the particular needs of patients with protected characteristics.

9.4 The ability to demonstrate appropriate record keeping in accordance with legal requirements.

9.5 The ability to compile and complete statutory documentation and to provide written reports as required of an approved clinician.

9.6 The ability to write effective reports.

9.7 The ability to competently present evidence, both verbal and written, to courts and tribunals.

10 Shadowing of the AC/RC in order to demonstrate this competency must include clear evidence of the applicant having demonstrated the ability to make all the key decisions reserved to the RC. They should have considered, on more than one occasion, each of the following decisions:

• Renewal of detention,
• Discharge from detention,
• Granting of Section 17 leave; and
• Application for CTO

Where the applicant is a Registered Medical Practitioner or Nurse Prescriber they should also demonstrate, on more than one occasion, consideration of the decision/s around consent to treatment specific to section 58 MHA.

11 Although the applicant cannot actually implement any of their decisions, they must have written confirmation from the RC whom they are shadowing that they have demonstrated sound decision-making ability, using appropriate and good clinical judgement and risk assessment skills.