Review the evidence signals before interviewing. Then use the anchored descriptions—not instinct alone—to choose the score that best matches each answer.
01
Evaluation factor
Clinical competence
35% weight
Check their counselling training and licence (LPC, LMFT, LCSW, BACP) plus fluency with companion platforms such as Replika, Character.AI or custom GPT partners in casework.
Evidence to listen for
Command of the procedures, anatomy, and equipment the role requires
Holds current registration or certification
Knows normal from abnormal and what to do about each
Recognises when a case is outside their scope
Five-point scoring guide
1
Poor
Unsafe knowledge gaps; registration missing or lapsed.
2
Needs Improvement
Knowledge gaps that would affect patient care.
3
Satisfactory
Competent for standard cases; needs support on complex ones.
4
Very Good
Strong clinical knowledge; safe and reliable across the usual range.
5
Excellent
Holds a current counselling licence, cites modalities used (CBT, EFT, ACT) and describes real clients presenting with AI attachment.
02
Evaluation factor
Patient safety and protocol
30% weight
Probe screening for suicidality, psychosis and AI-reinforced delusion, plus protocols when a chatbot has echoed self-harm ideation or a client resists platform separation.
Evidence to listen for
Follows identification, infection control, and documentation protocol without prompting
Can describe an error or near miss and what they did
Escalates deterioration early
Treats protocol as protection rather than bureaucracy
Five-point scoring guide
1
Poor
Casual about protocol; would not report an error.
2
Needs Improvement
Inconsistent protocol adherence; slow to escalate.
3
Satisfactory
Follows protocol reliably; documentation sometimes thin.
4
Very Good
Protocol is instinctive; escalates early and reports honestly.
5
Excellent
Names a structured risk protocol, describes escalation to psychiatry, and distinguishes healthy companion use from dependency with clear thresholds.
03
Evaluation factor
Patient communication
20% weight
Assess how they discuss an AI partner without ridicule or collusion: validating grief after a model deprecation, or a spouse discovering companion app use.
Evidence to listen for
Explains a procedure to an anxious or confused patient
Handles distress, pain, or refusal without losing control of the interaction
Respects privacy and dignity in practice, not just in principle
Works with families and carers
Five-point scoring guide
1
Poor
Dismissive of patients; no bedside awareness.
2
Needs Improvement
Task-focused; struggles with distressed patients.
3
Satisfactory
Adequate rapport; less confident in difficult interactions.
4
Very Good
Calm, clear, and respectful with anxious or difficult patients.
5
Excellent
Uses the client's own language for the AI, holds neutrality, and gives a concrete example of de-escalating shame in session.
04
Evaluation factor
Working in a clinical team
15% weight
Look for coordination with psychiatrists, couples therapists, trust and safety teams at AI vendors, and supervision or peer consultation on novel presentations.
Evidence to listen for
Hands over cleanly and completely
Challenges a colleague when patient safety requires it
Takes direction from clinicians without deferring blindly
Handles shift work and pressure without becoming difficult to work with
Five-point scoring guide
1
Poor
Poor handover; cannot work in a clinical team.
2
Needs Improvement
Handover gaps; avoids raising concerns about colleagues.
3
Satisfactory
Reliable team member; handover adequate.
4
Very Good
Clean handovers and willing to speak up on safety.
5
Excellent
Brings cases to supervision, documents referrals cleanly, and has worked alongside platform safety staff or clinical researchers on attachment cases.
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