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Enrol to Dual Certification CertPI5Psych and CertPIRS

This comprehensive dual-certificate program provides advanced, practical training in the assessment of psychiatric impairment using the AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment, Fifth Edition (psychiatric chapters) alongside the Psychiatric Impairment Rating Scale (PIRS).

Designed for real-world medicolegal application, the course bridges theory and practice, equipping participants with the skills to deliver consistent, defensible, and high-quality impairment assessments.

  • Member Price: $2430
  • Free Member Price: $2700
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How to access the course

Follow these steps to get started.
  1. Register your FREE or paid membership and login before you can add course to cart.
  2. When you are logged in, add the course to cart and checkout.
  3. Follow checkout prompts and use card for payment.
  4. Start the course.
Register Membership

WHY CHOOSE THIS COURSE?

  • Delivered by specialist psychiatrists and permanent impairment experts
  • Focus on practical application in medicolegal settings
  • Aligns with Australian jurisdictional requirements
  • Builds confidence in report writing and impairment rating
  • Recognised, CPD-compliant and approved by RANZCP
  • Dual certification enhances professional credibility

 

COURSE STRUCTURE

  • Introduction to impairment assessment frameworks
  • AMA Guides (5th Ed.) – Chapter 14 Mental Health and Behavioural Disorders and Chapters 1 and 2 methodology & application
  • PIRS methodology: scoring, interpretation, and pitfalls
  • Case-based learning and worked examples
  • Report writing for medicolegal purposes
  • Common errors and how to avoid them
  • Preparation for assessment and certification

 

WHO SHOULD ATTEND?

  • Psychiatrists
    • Develop and refine impairment assessment expertise Ensure consistency with jurisdictional standards
  • Mental Health Professionals (Psychologists, Allied Health)
    • Understand impairment frameworks and medico-legal expectation
  • Medicolegal Professionals (Lawyers, IME providers)
    • Interpret psychiatric impairment reports with confidence
  • Practice Managers & Owners
    • Strengthen service delivery in medicolegal and IME practices
  • Insurance Case Managers
    • Improve decision-making through better understanding of impairment ratings

 

LEARNING OBJECTIVES

Participants will be able to:

  • Apply the AMA Guides (5th Ed.) psychiatric criteria accurately
  • Conduct and document PIRS assessments
  • Interpret clinical findings in a medicolegal context
  • Produce clear, objective, and defensible reports
  • Identify and avoid common rating errors
  • Apply impairment assessment principles across Australian schemes

 

ASSESSMENT AND CERTIFICATION

  • Formal assessment (case-based and/or written)
  • Successful participants receive:
    • Certificate in AMA Guides (5th Ed.) Psychiatric Impairment
    • Certificate in Psychiatric Impairment Rating Scale (PIRS)

 

FACILITATORS

  • Specialist IME Psychiatrist; and
  • Permanent Impairment (PI) Expert with extensive medicolegal experience

This certification demonstrates competence, credibility, and professional development in impairment evaluation.

ASSESSMENT AND CERTIFICATION

  • Formal assessment (case-based and/or written)
  • Successful participants receive:
    • Certificate in AMA Guides (5th Ed.) Psychiatric Impairment
    • Certificate in Psychiatric Impairment Rating Scale (PIRS)

 

Picture of Prof Chris Cunneen

Prof Chris Cunneen

Assoc Prof Chris Cunneen OAM
Occupational & Environment Physician
Director, IME College AU
Director, OccPhyz Consulting
Colonel Australian Army - RAAMC

What you will need for the course

  • Frequently Asked Questions
How long does an IME College Australasia course take to complete?

Course duration varies depending on the programme you enrol in. Each course page lists its specific duration so you can plan accordingly.

For self-paced online courses, you can work through the material at a time and pace that suits your schedule, making it easier to fit professional development around your existing clinical or legal commitments.

Yes. Courses delivered by IME College Australasia are formally assessed and lead to an awarded certification upon successful completion. Courses are also eligible for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) recognition, and a CPD confirmation letter can be provided for regulatory compliance and professional record documentation.

Certification demonstrates competence, credibility, and commitment to best practice in independent medical evaluation and impairment assessment.

Please note that workers’ compensation and other state-based assessors may have additional training requirements specific to their jurisdiction or preferred provider. For example, organisations such as ‘WorkSafe’ or other state entities may mandate specific certifications or training programmes to comply with their standards and protocols. We strongly recommend visiting the relevant provider’s website to verify their specific training prerequisites and guidelines. Staying informed and adhering to these standards will support your compliance obligations and ongoing professional development.

Yes. Self-paced online courses are designed to be completed at your own pace. You can pause and return to your course content as needed throughout your enrolment period, allowing you to balance learning with your professional and personal commitments.

You are entitled to multiple exam attempts within your course access period. If you are unsuccessful on your first attempt, you can review the material and resit the examination, giving you every opportunity to achieve certification.

We recommend thorough preparation through the course content, independent study, and practical experience before sitting the assessment.

No specific prior knowledge is required for most courses, though a relevant professional background will support your learning. IME College Australasia courses are designed for:

  • Health professionals — medical practitioners, allied health providers, and rehabilitation specialists
  • Legal professionals — lawyers, barristers, and legal assistants involved in medico-legal and compensation work
  • Practice managers and medico-legal support staff — clinic managers and medical administrators overseeing IME services
  • Insurance case managers — claims managers, injury management advisors, and rehabilitation coordinators

 

Courses are structured to build knowledge progressively, making them accessible whether you are new to the field or seeking to formalise existing expertise.

Who are the courses facilitated by?

Courses are delivered by experienced IME clinicians, medical specialists, and medico-legal educators with extensive practical experience in impairment assessment, medicolegal reporting, and expert witness services across Australian jurisdictions.

IME College Australasia was established by key leaders in the medical and legal sectors, and its course content is designed with direct consideration for Australasian legislation and professional practice requirements.

IME College Australasia (IMEC) is a professional education provider specialising in independent medical evaluation and permanent impairment training for health professionals, legal professionals, and medico-legal support staff across Australia and New Zealand.

Established to set and maintain exceptional standards in the IME sector, IMEC offers structured, formally assessed courses that lead to recognised certifications equipping professionals to conduct objective, defensible, and high-quality independent medical evaluations.