GENERAL INFORMATION FOR PLACEMENTS 2015-16 (PYM0PL)
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Module description:
http://www.reading.ac.uk/modules/document.aspx?modP=PYM0PL&modYR=1516
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For the 2015-16 academic year, placements will run throughout the entire MSc academic i.e., until
mid-Sept 2016.
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Upon formal enrolment into the MSc course, students will gain access to RISIS (expected to be by
Week 1), where all the placements will now be advertised.

The selection process will run throughout the Autumn term with all students expected to have found
a placement by the end of term. Note that if a student is accepted for a placement before this time,
they can start working upon it straight away.
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The requirement remains that a student completes at least 140 hours. More can be undertaken in
agreement with the student. Once a student has been selected, a Placement Agreement form,
outlining the nature of the work, the agreed-upon hours etc., must be completed and signed by both
the supervisor and student, and returned to Jackie Mercer in G41. Without this, a placement is not
‘official’.

At the end of the placement, the supervisor will be required to provide a set of marks reflecting the
student’s performance. (A student report will no longer be required for assessment.)
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Please ensure that you have enough work available for a student to undertake.
FORM GUIDANCE
The information in the form below will be uploaded onto RISIS to be viewed by students.
In the Placement outline section:
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Please provide as much information as possible, in particular, how you will select students (e.g.,
interview, informal meeting, via writing).
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If you will be interviewing students, please provide the date/s on which these will take place in this
section.
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Include details any special selection requirements you may have e.g., send CV/statement of interest
to the contact person beforehand.
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On RISIS, the student will apply for the placement in the way in which you specify below in the
outline.
www.reading.ac.uk/psychology
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PYM0PL Placement Description Form
Placement title
Joint CINN/ AnDY Research Unit placement
Placement outline
Placement role
The main aim of this placement is to help recruit adolescent volunteers from the Anxiety and
Depression in Young People (AnDY) Research Unit to a scanning study in the CINN. The study is on
adolescents with depression and how they respond to positive and negative food stimuli in an mri
machine. The placement student will thus gain experience in both a clinical setting and an imaging
centre, which is a unique opportunity for a student interested in gaining a broad and varied experience
during their MSc year.
The placement student will be responsible for identifying potential participants who have been assessed
in the joint AnDY Research Unit/Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust Child and Adolescent
Mental Health Service (CAMHS) Anxiety and Depression Care Pathway. They will be involved in
explaining the imaging study to young people and their families, assessing eligibility and gaining
informed consent from the young person (and from parents if the young person is under 16). This
research study takes place soon after the young people have been diagnosed with depression and been
accepted into CAMHS but before they begin treatment, so involves contact with a clinical population
and requires a sensitive and professional approach to recruitment. The student will help maximise the
joint working by CINN/AnDY by working across both teams, and providing regular updates on study
recruitment and identifying any possible barriers to both research groups. It is possible they may have
to liaise with NHS staff and other agencies involved in the young person’s care if this is required, and
will receive full training in this (please see below).
There may also be the opportunity to become involved with other clinical research activities at the
AnDY Research Unit (e.g., data collection, entry, and analysis, involvement at yearly Mental Health
Awareness week activities), as well as other activities taking place in CINN during the MSc year.
Training provided
To prepare you for your role across CINN and the AnDY clinic, you will take part in a comprehensive
induction and training programme that includes the following modules:
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Overview of CINN, the AnDY Research Unit and Berkshire Healthcare NHS Foundation
Trust CAMHS Anxiety and Depression Care Pathway
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Introduction to information security, governance, and data protection
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Confidentiality
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Professionalism and work place etiquette
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Interpersonal skills
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Understanding the importance of research data
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Risk training
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Safeguarding training
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Good Clinical Practice
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Clinical contact skills
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Scanning procedures, eligibility and exclusions
You will also receive induction and training in CINN to familiarise you with the MRI scanner, have the
opportunity to experience a scan yourself, and will receive other training as required.
Commitment required
This placement is flexible depending on student availability, but you would be expected to attend
regular lab meetings for both CINN and the depression research team in the AnDY research unit, and
be available to discuss the research study when adolescents are at clinic appointments. All placement
students are required to undergo enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) checks (previously
Criminal Records Bureau checks) and complete mandatory NHS checks and training prior to beginning
work.
Application process
General information:
To apply, please email Associate Professor Ciara McCabe at c.mccabe@reading.ac.uk, and send an upto-date CV along with a brief supporting statement (max. 500 words) explaining (a) what you hope to
gain from the placement, and (b) why your experience and skills make you a strong candidate.
Please label your email with the subject line: CINN/AnDY MSc placement. Applications received
before Monday 5th October 2015 will be prioritised, so application by this date is strongly advised. If
you are applying for other placements in CINN/AnDY research unit, please make this clear on your
application.
If you have any questions prior to application, please contact Ciara at the above e-mail address.
Interviews:
Interviews can take place in late September, at a time to be decided based on the availability of
interested applicants and of relevant members of staff across CINN/AnDY. The successful student will
be notified by email shortly after this, expected to be by the week of 12th October.
Type of skills required from student
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A professional, enthusiastic and sensitive manner
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An ability to engage with adolescents and their parents/guardians
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Excellent interpersonal skills
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A high level of dedication
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A clear understanding of the importance of clinical research
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Excellent time management and organisation skills
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An ability to work effectively as part of a team, and across different teams
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Contact
Title:
Dr
Name:
Ciara McCabe
Position:
Associate Prof
Email:
c.mccabe@reading.ac.uk
Tel:
07966035631
Site where student(s) will be based
School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, University of Reading: the student will be
based across two teams, between the Anxiety and Depression in Young people (AnDY) Research Unit,
and the Centre for Integrative Neuroscience and Neurodynamics (CINN).
For more information about CINN please visit http://www.reading.ac.uk/cinn/cinn-home.aspx
For more information about the AnDY research clinic please visit http://andyresearchclinic.com/
How many placements can you offer?
Will an interview be required?
1
___
YES: Informal interviews will be held with interested applicants
to introduce them to CINN/AnDY clinic, at a time convenient to all parties
if yes, please make sure interview dates are included
in placement outline above
Is a DBS check required?
Yes
If applicable, are you able to pay travel expenses?
N/A
Please send the completed form to Eva Feredoes, Placement Module Convenor: e.a.feredoes@reading.ac.uk