What You Need To Do

The Assessment Programme

The assessment programme that supports and is an integral part of the College curriculum comprises two main elements – workplace based assessment (WPBA) and the College Membership (MRCPsych) examinations. Both are mandatory. The workplace based assessments are mainly, but not exclusively, formative. In other words, they provide each trainee and their Educational Supervisor with information about strengths, weaknesses, progress and attainment.

Successful completion also forms part of the eligibility to take the MRCPsych examination.

Trainees are now eligible to start to take the written components of the MRCPsych examination during their CT1 training year. The clinical component of the MRCPsych (CASC) cannot be taken until the three written papers have been passed, and these must be passed before entering ST4.

It is important to emphasise that trainees are unable to enter ST4 training in Psychiatry unless they have passed the MRCPsych examinations.

Further information about the Curriculum visit the Royal College of Psychiatrists

Competencies required during each stage of training.

Higher Specialty Training

Having completed Core Training, the practitioner may enter Higher Training in their chosen psychiatric specialty. The outcome of this training will be an autonomous practitioner able to work at Consultant level. Because this level of clinical practice often involves working in complex and ambiguous situations, to develop skills of clinical supervision. HST within KSS for Psychiatry is managed by the London deanery trainees would need to have passed all MRC Psych examinations before progressing onto ST4.

 There are six specialties to choose from:

• General adult psychiatry
• Old age psychiatry
• Forensic psychiatry  
• Child and adolescent psychiatry
• Psychiatry of learning disabilities   
• Psychotherapy   

Further information about Higher Specialty Training can be found on the London Deanery website.