Inherent Requirements

Introduction

The Cairnmillar Institute (CMI) is committed to supporting the rights of all people who seek professional training in psychology, counselling, psychotherapy, and related fields in mental health education. This commitment includes making reasonable adjustments to teaching and learning, assessment tasks, practice, professional placements, and other activities to accommodate the impact of any disabilities or medical conditions that students may have without compromising the academic integrity of the program.

Progression through our professional training courses is contingent on demonstrating professional attributes, attitudes, and behaviour throughout the course, in line with the Code of Ethics, as well the various guidelines adopted by the Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA) - a partner board of the Australian Health Practitioners Registration Authority (AHPRA), The Australian Counselling Association (ACA) and the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA). Learning tasks and assessments are linked to these expectations as they are deemed essential for the practice of psychology, counselling, psychotherapy and related fields.

Inherent requirements are those skills, values and behaviours which must be demonstrated by students in order that they successfully complete the program of study. As a guide for prospective and current students, a series of inherent requirement statements have been developed that relate to student admission and progression through the course. These requirements are mandatory; however, there may be some flexibility in how they can be demonstrated.

The statements fall under eight domains consisting of ethical behaviour, behavioural stability, legal, communication, cognition, relational skills, reflective skills, and sustainable performance. Many of the activities associated with the professional practice of a registered psychologist, and of accredited counsellors and psychotherapists are time sensitive, where the capacity to perform certain activities within specified time limits is required to reduce or avoid risks to patient safety and wellbeing. The safety and wellbeing of you and others is always of paramount importance.

How to read the inherent requirement statements

If you are intending to apply for or are currently enrolled in one of the professional training courses at the Cairnmillar Institute, you should look at these inherent requirement statements and consider whether you may experience challenges in meeting these requirements. If you think you may experience challenges related to your disability, chronic health condition or any other reason, you should discuss your concerns with the Course Coordinator and/or a Learning Equity Officer at the Cairnmillar Institute Disability Support – my.CMI

The Learning Equity Officer can work collaboratively with you to determine reasonable adjustments to assist you to meet the Inherent Requirements. In the case where it is determined that Inherent Requirements cannot be met with reasonable adjustments, CMI staff can provide guidance regarding other study options.

Each inherent requirement is comprised of the following five levels:

Level 1 - introduction to the inherent requirement
Level 2 - description of what the inherent requirement is
Level 3 - explanation of why this is an inherent requirement of the course
Level 4 - the nature of any adjustments that may be made to allow you to meet the requirement
Level 5 - examples of things you must be able to do to show you've met the requirement

Which professional training courses do the inherent requirements apply to?

There are eight domains of inherent requirements. Some domains have a number of sub-domains.

Ethical behaviour

Level	Inherent requirement statements
1	Psychology is a profession governed by the codes, guidelines and policies of the Psychology Board of Australia where psychologists are both accountable and responsible for ensuring professional behaviour in all contexts. Counselling and Psychotherapy are self-regulated professions. Registered counsellors and psychotherapists are similarly held to professional ethical standards, outlined by PACFA and ACA and these standards can be found on the Australian Register of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (ARCAP). Students should demonstrate knowledge and engage in ethical behaviour in practice.
2	Student demonstrates: Knowledge of, and engages in ethical behaviour in practice.
3	Justification of inherent requirement: Compliance with the codes, guidelines and policies facilitates safe, competent interactions and relationships for students and/or the people they engage with. This ensures the physical, psychological, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing of the student and the people they engage with is not placed at risk.
4	Adjustments must not compromise the codes, guidelines and policies of the Australian Counselling Association, Psychotherapy And Counselling Federation of Australia or The Psychology Board of Australia respectively, or result in unethical behaviour.
5	Exemplars: Complying with conduct required to maintain provisional registration as a psychologist, for those students undertaking training in a professional psychology pathway

Behavioural stability

Level	Inherent requirement statements
1	Behavioural stability is required to function and adapt effectively and sensitively in a demanding role.
2	Student demonstrates: behavioural stability to work constructively in a diverse and changing academic and clinical environment, which may at times be challenging and unpredictable.
3	Justification of inherent requirement: Behavioural stability is required to work individually and in teams in diverse and changing environments. Students will be exposed to situations which are challenging and unpredictable, and will be required to have the behavioural stability to manage these objectively and professionally.
4	Adjustments must support stable, effective, and professional behaviour in both academic and clinical settings.
5	Exemplars: Being receptive and responding appropriately to constructive feedback Managing one’s own emotional state in order to be able to develop and maintain an appropriate relationship with a diverse range of clients

Legal

Level	Inherent requirement statements
1	Practice in the disciplines of psychology, counselling, and psychotherapy, is mandated by specific legislation to enable the safe delivery of care.
2	Student demonstrates: Knowledge and compliance with relevant laws and professional regulations.
3	Justification of inherent requirement: Knowledge, understanding and compliance with legislative and regulatory requirements are necessary pre-requisites to placements in order to reduce the risk of harm to self and others Compliance with these regulations and the law ensures that students are both responsible and accountable for their practice
4	Adjustments must be consistent with legal and regulatory requirements.
5	Exemplars: Complying with legal requirements regarding all aspects of practice Complying with the requirement for student registration with the Australian Health Professional Registration Authority (AHPRA)

Communication

This course requires effective, verbal, non-verbal and written communication.

Verbal

Level	Inherent requirement statements
1	Effective and efficient verbal communication, in English, is an essential requirement to provide safe delivery of psychological and psychotherapeutic care.
2	Student demonstrates: The ability to understand and respond to verbal communication accurately, appropriately and in a timely manner The ability to provide clear instructions in the context of the situation Timely clear feedback and reporting
3	Justification of inherent requirement: The practice of psychology, counselling and psychotherapy depends on effective verbal communication with clients and members of the professional team Speed and accuracy of communication may be critical for individual safety or treatment
4	Adjustments for impaired verbal communication must address effectiveness, timeliness, clarity and accuracy issues to ensure safety.
5	Exemplars: Collecting information from clients by asking questions during assessments Explaining a treatment plan to a client Discussing the client's progress with other professionals

Non-verbal

Level	Inherent requirement statements
1	Effective non-verbal communication is fundamental to practice in psychology, counselling and psychotherapy and needs to be respectful, clear, attentive, empathic, honest and non-judgemental.
2	Student demonstrates: The capacity to recognise, interpret and respond appropriately to behavioural cues Consistent and appropriate awareness of own behaviours Sensitivity to individual and cultural differences and demonstration of cultural humility
3	Justification of inherent requirement: The ability to observe and understand non-verbal cues assists with building rapport with people and gaining their trust and respect in academic and professional relationships Displaying consistent and appropriate facial expressions, eye contact, being mindful of space, time boundaries and body movements and gestures promotes trust in academic and professional relationships Being sensitive to individual and cultural differences (especially regarding Indigenous Australians) and demonstration of cultural humility and cultural responsiveness which permits the development of trusting relationships required to work with clients during placements The ability to observe and understand non-verbal cues is essential for safe and effective observation of clients' symptoms and reactions as part of their assessment and treatment
4	Adjustments for non-verbal communication impairments must enable the recognition, interpretation and appropriate response to non-verbal cues as well as initiation of effective non-verbal communication in a timely and appropriate manner.
5	Exemplars: Recognising and responding to non-verbal cues indicating a change in the emotional state of a client during placements Recognising and responding to non-verbal cues in classroom situations

Cognition

This course requires knowledge of theory and the skills of cognition, literacy and numeracy.

Knowledge and cognitive skills

Level	Inherent requirement statements
1	Consistent and effective knowledge and cognitive skills must be demonstrated to undertake safe and competent practice in psychology, counselling and psychotherapy.
2	Student demonstrates: The capacity to locate appropriate and relevant information The ability to process information relevant to practice The ability to integrate and implement knowledge in practice
3	Justification of inherent requirement: Satisfactory performance on placements requires identifying and accurately extracting and understanding information from a range of sources, which must also be applied appropriately
4	Adjustments for knowledge or cognitive skills impairments must not compromise or impede student's ability to demonstrate the minimum acceptable level of knowledge and cognitive skill required to practice safely.
5	Exemplars: Ability to apply academic knowledge to practice during placements, for example through developing and testing hypotheses, developing treatment plans and then conducting individual sessions for clients based upon these.

Literacy (language)

Level	Inherent requirement statements
1	Competent literacy skills are essential to permit safe and effective practice of psychology, counselling, and psychotherapy during placements.
2	Student demonstrates: The ability to accurately acquire information and convey appropriate, effective messages The ability to read and comprehend a range of literature and information The capacity to understand and implement academic conventions to construct written text in a scholarly manner
3	Justification of inherent requirement: The ability to acquire information and to accurately convey messages is fundamental to ensure safe and effective assessment, treatment and delivery of care The ability to read, decode, interpret and comprehend multiple sources of information is fundamental for safe and effective conduct during placements
4	Adjustments to address literacy issues must not compromise the student's ability to demonstrate the minimum acceptable capacity to effectively acquire, comprehend, apply and communicate accurate information.
5	Exemplars: Conveying a spoken message accurately and effectively in a clinical or professional setting during placements Paraphrasing, summarising and referencing in accordance with the American Psychological Association Publication Manual.

Numeracy conventions

Producing accurate, concise and clear documentation while on placement in the clinical setting which meets legal and professional requirements

Level	Inherent requirement statements
1	Competent and accurate numeracy skills are essential to provide safe and effective demonstration of psychology, counselling, or psychotherapy practice skills.
2	Student demonstrates: The ability to interpret and correctly apply numerical data, measurement and numerical criteria in the execution of psychology, counselling, or psychotherapy practice while on placement
3	Justification of inherent requirement: In relation to the discipline of psychology, as practice in psychology relies in part on collecting data in a numerical form, for example psychometric assessments, students must be able to accurately record and manage numerical data and to interpret their findings
4	Adjustments to address numeracy issues must not compromise the student's ability to demonstrate the minimum acceptable capacity to manage and interpret numerical data.
5	Exemplars: Accurately scoring and interpreting psychological test data while on placement

Relational skills

Level	Inherent requirement statements
1	The practice of psychology, counselling, and psychotherapy requires the ability to make and maintain strong relationships with a wide range of clients, often under stressful circumstances
2	Student demonstrates: The ability to develop and build and maintain rapport with clients The ability to engage in effective counselling skills Accurate empathy
3	Justification of inherent requirement: Highly developed relational skills are a cornerstone of effective therapeutic relationships that permit effective assessment and intervention
4	Adjustments for relational skills impairment must not compromise the student's ability to demonstrate minimal acceptable level of effective relational skills across the range of tasks and client populations required to successfully complete their studies.
5	Exemplars: » Rapidly building rapport with a client in order to engage them in a psychological assessment and/or in an effective therapeutic relationship while on placement » Effectively managing difficulties arising in the therapeutic relationship while on placement

Reflective skills

Level	Inherent requirement statements
1	The practice of counselling, psychotherapy and psychology requires self-awareness and a capacity for reflectivity in order to consider the effect of one's own issues, actions, values and behaviours on practice.
2	Student demonstrates: » The ability to accurately reflect on their professional performance » The ability to accept feedback on their professional practice and respond constructively
3	Justification of inherent requirement: » Participation in supervision is a key teaching strategy in psychology, counselling and psychotherapy training which requires adequate understanding oneself in order to appropriately engage in this activity » Working with clients while on placement and understanding and responding to them requires adequate understanding of oneself and the ability to effectively manage one's reactions to situations that may arise
4	Adjustments for reflective skills impairments must not compromise the student's ability to demonstrate an acceptable minimum level of capacity in this area
5	Exemplars: Identifying when a clinical or professional issue is outside one’s scope or expertise, or when one’s practice may be affected by an impairment. The ability to use challenging interpersonal dynamics for personal and professional development. Recognising when one needs support and willingness to seek it

Sustainable performance

Level	Inherent requirement statements
1	The practice of psychology, counselling and psychotherapy requires both physical and mental performance at a consistent and sustained level to meet individual needs over time.
2	Student demonstrates: » Consistent and sustained level of physical energy to complete a specific task in a timely manner and over time » The ability to perform repetitive activities with a level of concentration that ensures a capacity to focus on the activity until it is completed appropriately » The capacity to maintain consistency and quality of performance throughout the designated period of duty
3	Justification of inherent requirement: » Sufficient physical and mental endurance is an essential requirement needed to perform multiple tasks in an assigned period to provide safe and effective care
4	Adjustments must ensure that performance is consistent and sustained over a given period.
5	Exemplars: » Participating in tutorials, lectures throughout the day » Remaining focussed and providing consistent responses over a negotiated time frame during placement »Managing workload and completing assignments in a timely manner while dealing with personally evocative course material

Other issues

Police checks and working with children checks.

Students with a criminal record are not precluded from enrolling at the Cairnmillar Institute but may face difficulties in obtaining placements, which are required to complete their degree.

Most placement agencies require students to obtain a police check and/or a Working with Children Check and may decline to accept a student on placement due to the nature of the information about their offending and the timing of the last offence.

Infectious diseases

CMI recommends, but does not require, students to be immunised for the Hepatitis B infection.

Students are a potential source of infection for service users and colleagues and may be required to comply with any requirements for immunisation as specified by a particular placement provider.

Students who have not been immunised may be limited in the placement opportunities available to them.

We acknowledge the work in developing these inherent requirements:

Johnson, A., Allan,T., Phillips,K., Azzopardi,T., Dickson,C., Goldsmith,M & Hengstberger-Sims, C. (2011). Inherent Requirements of Nursing Education (IRONE), Western Sydney University School of Nursing & Midwifery and Student Equity & Disability Services.

The Inherent Requirements content by the University of Western Sydney is subject to a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial Share Alike 4.0 International licence. The details of the relevant licence conditions are available on the Creative Commons website.

The Inherent Requirements content on this page may be used subject to the Creative Commons terms, by including the following attribution: Inherent Requirements

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Acknowledgement of Country

The Cairnmillar Institute acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the land on which we are meeting. We pay our respects to their Elders, past and present, and the Aboriginal Elders of other communities who may be here today.