JOURNAL ENTRY

Desired Clinical Skills for Students to Achieve

Confident (Can complete independently)

Mostly confident (Can complete with supervision)

Beginning (Have performed with supervision or needs 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 

x

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

x

Performing and interpreting a mental status examination 

x

Performing and interpreting a psychosocial assessment and family psychiatric history 

x

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

x

Diagnostic reasoning skill in:

Developing and prioritizing a differential diagnoses list

x

Formulating diagnoses according to DSM 5-TR based on assessment data 

x

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

x

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) 

x

Evaluating patient response and modify plan as necessary 

x

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

x

Psychotherapeutic Treatment Planning:

Recognizes concepts of therapeutic modalities across the lifespan

x

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) 

x

Applies age-appropriate psychotherapeutic counseling techniques with individuals and/or any caregivers

Develop an age-appropriate individualized plan of care

x

Provide psychoeducation to individuals and/or any caregivers

x

Promote health and disease prevention techniques

x

Self-assessment skill:

Develop SMART goals for practicum experiences 

x

Evaluating outcomes of practicum goals and modify plan as necessary 

x

Documenting and reflecting on learning experiences

x

Professional skills:

Maintains professional boundaries and therapeutic relationships with clients and staff

x

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

x

Identifies ethical and legal dilemmas with possible resolutions

x

Demonstrates non-judgmental practice approach and empathy

x

Practices within scope of practice

x

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 

x

Implements the screening instrument efficiently and effectively with the clients

x

Interprets results for screening instruments accurately

x

Develops an appropriate plan of care based upon screening instruments response

x

Identifies the need to refer to another specialty provider when applicable

x

Accurately documents recommendations for psychiatric consultations when “applicable

x

I demonstrate high confidence in “recognizing clinical signs and symptoms of psychiatric illness across the lifespan, performing and interpreting a comprehensive history and physical examination, and maintaining professional boundaries with clients and staff.” My confident approach to pharmacotherapeutic skills, such as evaluating patient responses and modifying plans, also reflects a solid foundation. Additionally, I excel in psychotherapeutic skills particularly in promoting health and disease prevention techniques. I also excel in professional skills especially in maintaining professional boundaries and in showing non-judgmental practice.

My growth opportunities include developing a better understanding of differentiating between pathophysiological and psychopathological conditions where I exhibit a beginning level. Another opportunity for growth involves performing and interpreting a mental status examination. Improving my ability to select appropriate evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for psychotherapeutic plans and applying age-appropriate counseling techniques also presents an area for enhancement. Strengthening skills in interpreting screening instrument results and formulating diagnoses based on DSM 5-TR criteria will contribute to a more comprehensive clinical skill set. Additionally, developing an appropriate plan of care based upon screening instruments' response and consistently evaluating outcomes for practicum goals are areas that warrant focused attention.

1. Goal: “Enhance diagnostic reasoning skills by the end of the practicum ."

a. Objective: By the end of the practicum, achieve a "confident" rating in differentiating between normal/abnormal age-related physiological and psychological symptoms/changes .

b. Objective: Within the first month, demonstrate a "mostly confident" ability in formulating diagnoses according to DSM 5-TR based on assessment data.

c. Objective: Improve diagnostic reasoning skills by consistently developing and prioritizing a comprehensive differential diagnoses list, reaching a "confident" rating by the midpoint of the practicum.

2. Goal: “Strengthen psychotherapeutic treatment planning by the end of the practicum."

a. Objective: Develop proficiency in selecting evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for psychotherapeutic plans, achieving a "mostly confident" rating within the first six weeks .

b. Objective: By the end of the practicum, apply age-appropriate psychotherapeutic counseling techniques with individuals and/or caregivers, reaching a "confident" level.

c. Objective: Create age-appropriate individualized plans of care for at least five clients, demonstrating competency in psychotherapeutic treatment planning .

3. Goal: “Improve self-assessment and documentation skills by practicum end."

a. Objective: Develop and consistently meet SMART goals for practicum experiences, ensuring they are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound.

b. Objective: Evaluate outcomes of practicum goals bi-weekly and modify plans as necessary, achieving a 90% success rate by the midpoint of the practicum .

c. Objective: Enhance documentation skills by maintaining accurate and reflective records of learning experiences throughout the practicum.

4. Goal: Improve screening and referral competencies by practicum end

a. Objective: Within the first month, achieve a "mostly confident" rating in selecting the correct screening instrument appropriate for the clinical situation.

b. Objective: Implement screening instruments efficiently and effectively with clients, reaching a "confident" level within the initial eight weeks of the practicum.

c. Objective: Interpret results for screening instruments accurately, ensuring a 90%” accuracy rate by the midpoint of the practicum.