Advanced Mental Health Assessment and Formulation – AMH701

Prepares students, within the context of the four pillars of advanced practice and person-centred therapeutic alliances
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Key features

This 20 credit module is intended for trainee, or HEE recognised, advanced practitioners. It aligns to the Health Education England Advanced Practice Mental Health Curriculum and Capabilities Framework.
It supports mental health practitioners, within the context of the four pillars of advanced practice and person-centred therapeutic alliances, to work in partnership with people who have complex mental health needs, and with interprofessional colleagues, to plan, co-produce and lead evidence-based assessment and formulation processes. It explores increasing levels of competence, autonomy, professional accountability, and complex decision-making when working with clinical complexity.
This module has a workplace-based learning component, carried out in your existing role, under the supervision of a named workplace supervisor. 
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Module code 

AMH701

Credits 

20

FHEQ Level 

Level 7 – masters degree

Location 

Blended learning approach (online) with one day face to face delivery at Plymouth

Module aims

The aims of the module are to prepare students, within the context of the four pillars of advanced practice and person-centred therapeutic alliances, to:
  • Demonstrate advanced knowledge and critical understanding of mental health presentations and the complex interplay of theory related to mental health assessment and formulation.
  • Demonstrate clinical expertise in comprehensive assessment and investigation, especially in the presence of deteriorating conditions, multi-morbidity, complexity and unpredictability.
  • Use expertise and decision-making skills to inform clinical reasoning approaches to developing comprehensive formulation and diagnosis. 

Learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate an advanced critical understanding and application of how advanced communication skills, personal and professional values, self-awareness, reflection, advocacy and cultural competence, promote person-centred therapeutic alliances.
  • Demonstrate an advanced critical understanding and application of conceptual frameworks of mental health, mental illness, diagnostic classification criteria and relevant legislation to the assessment of mental health presentations.
  • Collaborate with people with mental health needs, and other professionals, to co-produce and lead effective comprehensive biopsychosocial assessment and investigations, in the presence of deteriorating conditions, multi-morbidity, complexity and unpredictability.
  • Synthesise complex interrelated information drawn from a range of appropriate sources to develop advanced, specialist, evidence-based differential judgements and to develop person-centred formulations and apply internationally recognised diagnostic classification criteria.

Summary of module content

  • Four pillars of advanced practice – leading, educating, use of evidence. 
  • Person-centred therapeutic alliances and advanced level communication skills. 
  • Co-production, shared decision-making. 
  • Professional accountability and advocacy. 
  • Psychological, biological and social theories / factors of mental health, ill health, and well-being. 
  • Ethical, legal and professional obligations. 
  • Validated assessments. 
  • Comprehensive, bio-psycho-social person-centred assessment (history, mental state examination, risk).
  • Assessment of capacity to make choices and decisions. 
  • Responding to deteriorating conditions. 
  • Physical health issues. 
  • Clinical reasoning, evidence-based judgements and / or diagnosis. 
  • Psychological, biological and social formulation / internationally recognised classification criteria. 
  • Collaborative inter-professional and multi-agency working. 

Admissions information 

Additional information and documentation required for the application process.
  • Application forms. 
  • Change of name forms.
  • Pre-course information.
  • Downloadable guides.
  • Student card.
Admissions information Additional information and documentation required for the application process.Access to application forms, download guides and confirmation information. Visit our admissions homepage.

Module dates

11, 18, 25 January, 1, 8, 22, 29 February and 7, 14 March 2024.
Occasionally delivery dates might be subject to change – always check with the module lead or Professional Development Unit.
Please be aware that all modules run to minimum numbers.
In the event that there are low numbers, this module may be rescheduled to an alternative date.
Some modules are also subject to maximum numbers.

Entry requirements

You will normally be a healthcare professional with a first degree or a related academic degree. BSc (Hons) at 2:2 or above, or European first cycle equivalent. Clinicians without a degree but with appropriate experience may be eligible to apply. Overseas students require IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent required. 
You will need to be a trainee or qualified advanced practitioner.
You must be working in a role that requires advanced practice skills and knowledge in order to meet the workplace-based learning requirements.
Your employer will need to provide you with a consultant or advanced practice clinical supervisor for the duration of the module. 

Fees 

Module lead

If you have any questions about whether this is the right module for you, please contact the module lead, Kay Lobo. 
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You can contact the Professional Development Unit with any queries

Prospective student enquiries:
Current student enquiries:
Professional Development Unit, Level 4 Rolle Building, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus, Plymouth, PL4 8AA, United Kingdom.
Monday – Thursday 8:30–17:00 and Friday 8:30–16:30.