HCPC Guidelines

Question 1

What is the purpose of the HCPC guidelines? (4 points)

Answer 1

Clinical practitioners, especially those dealing with patients, need to be registered with the HCPC (Health and Care Professions Council)

This is a body that regulates psychologists and other professionals

Individuals must meet all the standards of proficiency to register with the HCPC

They must also meet the standards relevant to their scope of practice to stay registered

Question 2

What are the 7 HCPC Guidelines?

Answer 2

Character

Health

Standards of:
+ Proficiency
+ Ethics
+ Education and training

Standards for:
+ Prescribing
+ Continuing professional development

Question 3

What is the HCPC guideline of Character?

Answer 3

Registration involves being able to provide a character reference from a suitable referee to establish suitability for the role

Question 4

What is the HCPC guideline of Health?

Answer 4

Registration involves being able to provide information about your general health, especially on any issues that may affect your ability to practise

Question 5

What is the HCPC guideline of “Standards of proficiency”? (3 points)

Answer 5

There are specific requirements for practitioner psychologists

They must comprehend the need to act in the best interests of the user in their role in the diagnostic and therapeutic process

They must be also familiar with the requirements of the HCPC

Question 6

What is the HCPC guideline of “Standards of ethics”? (2 points)

Answer 6

These include respecting the confidentiality of users and maintaining high standards of personal conduct

Other areas include:
+ Competence
+ Good communication
+ Only acting within the limits of your own knowledge

Question 7

What is the HCPC guideline of “Standards of education and training”? (2 points)

Answer 7

These set out the requirements and qualifications needed to register

For practitioner psychologists, a Master’s degree and BPS qualification is required

Question 8

What is the HCPC guideline of “Standards for prescribing”?

Answer 8

These set out the knowledge, understanding and skills that a registrant must have when they complete their prescribing training and which they must continue to meet once in practice

Question 9

What is the HCPC guideline of “Standards for continuing professional development”?

Answer 9

These include a continued need and participation in training for further development in order to keep up to date with current trends