Psychologists make it their life’s mission to help people overcome their mental challenges and live life to the optimum. They encourage people to recognise the space between stimulus and response, choose an appropriate response, and evolve. Continue Reading
USA 
UK 
Explore Career Psychologists make it their life’s mission to help people overcome their mental challenges and live life to the optimum. They encourage people to recognise the space between stimulus and response, choose an appropriate response, and evolve.
What are the typical responsibilities of a Psychologist?
A Psychologist would typically need to:
The work environment of Psychologists depends on the field in which they wish to specialise. You may work alone, doing independent research, consulting with clients, or counselling patients. As part of a healthcare team, you may collaborate with physicians, social workers and others to treat illnesses and promote total wellbeing.
Psychologists employed by clinics, the government, industries, or schools work full-time during regular business hours. Those in private practice can set their work schedule; many prefer to work part-time as independent consultants. Work hours may include evenings and weekends to suit clients. Evening and weekend shifts are standard in hospitals and other healthcare facilities.
When finding a new job might seem challenging, Psychologists can boost their job search by asking their network for referrals, contacting companies directly, using job search platforms, going to job fairs, leveraging social media, and inquiring at staffing agencies.
Psychologists may choose to practice solo. They may opt to be employed by or work on an independent contractor basis with health care facilities. They may choose temporary locum tenens positions offered by practices, hospitals, or healthcare organisations with an unfilled clinical need.
Psychologists are generally employed by:
Healthcare associations such as the International Association of Applied Psychology provide unparalleled networking and educational opportunities. They offer all the certification courses members will need throughout their professional careers.
Affiliated Psychologists may attend conventions, seminars, and dinners frequented by peers, mentors, and other industry leaders. The events help them keep up with the newest breakthroughs and latest developments in the field, including plum jobs.
Internships and practicums/shadowing are an excellent way to get practical experience in the field. Practicums are positions where a student observes while a professional Psychologist counsels patients; internships are more hands-on positions where the students engage in work.
There are several ways to obtain an internship or practicum. Many universities have a career or placement centre through which students can reach out to potential employers. Internship fairs are another excellent resource. You can also reach out directly to professional psychologists to see if they have any openings.
Most aspiring Psychologists require a master's, an EdS or a doctorate. You can also complete a PhD in psychology or a Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) degree. The PhD program includes a comprehensive exam and a dissertation based on original research, while the PsyD degree is often based on practical work and examinations.
Students usually complete a 1-year internship as part of the doctoral program in clinical, counselling, school, or health service settings. They can then work under the supervision of licensed Psychologists in the field of their choice. A doctoral degree also qualifies one to work in academia as a professor.
Candidates who have a master’s degree in fields related to psychology can also work as psychological assistants in clinical, counselling, or research settings under a doctoral psychologist’s supervision.
School Psychologist programs include coursework in education and psychology because their work addresses both education and mental health components of students’ development. An EdS in school psychology is more advanced than a master’s degree but requires less coursework than a PhD.
Industrial–organisational Psychologists typically need a master’s degree, usually including courses in industrial–organisational psychology, statistics, and research design.
A license is necessary to practice in psychology. Individual government entities give licenses; they typically require passing an examination after completing requirements, such as a minimum level of education, work experience, training, or completing an internship, residency, or apprenticeship.
Certification in clinical health psychology, couple & family psychology or rehabilitation psychology from an objective and reputed organisation can help you gain professional credibility and become an independent consultant.
Successful certification programs seek to serve and protect the public welfare and are responsible for investigating individuals that practice outside of the program’s Code of Ethics. By preserving the general interest, a profession earns trust and respect, which are the most critical elements in securing a Psychologist’s future.
Career progression is driven by performance, experience, and the acquisition of professional qualifications. Employees with consistently high levels of performance may be eligible for promotion every two to three years.
Competition for jobs will vary by speciality and level of education obtained.
Industrial-organisational Psychologists may face competition for positions because of the large number of qualified applicants. Industrial-organisational psychologists with extensive training in quantitative research methods may have a competitive edge.
Candidates with a doctoral or education specialist degree and postdoctoral work experience will have the best job opportunities in clinical, counselling, or school psychology positions. There may be better opportunities for Psychologists who specialise in working with the elderly and in rehabilitation psychology.
Continuing Professional Development (CPD) is imperative in the healthcare sector and has important implications for public wellbeing. It enhances the quality of care that patients and clients receive.
CPD ensures that Psychologists are practising safely and effectively in the workplace while allowing them to improve on existing services and learn new and improved techniques. Those who actively choose to expand their skill-sets and meet the requirements of their respective regulatory bodies will be in favourable positions professionally.
Why may Psychology be an Attractive Career Proposition?
It is gratifying to help people from different walks and stages of life figure out how to deal with their mental disabilities and disorders and enhance the quality of their lives. Those who manage to establish a successful private practice may afford a flexible work schedule and adequate downtime with family and friends. While money is usually not the primary motivating factor to decide on this profession, it is worth noting that full-time Psychologists who have built a sound practice earn a handsome sum. A Psychologist can opt for a model of medical practice from among the following alternatives.
Solo Practice
A small staff and a limited patient base usually characterise solo practice without partners or employment affiliations with other practice organisations. It allows the Psychologist to design, grow, and develop a unique style of medical care.
On the flip side, medical care (such as the need to manage hospital care and weekend coverage for patients) and the entire business enterprise rests on the sole Psychologist. Developing agreements with insurers and documentation for regulations involves considerable work.
Solo practices are often at substantial financial risk due to the costs of doing business, possible lack of referrals, the small patient base, shifting patient allegiances because of insurance issues, income loss caused by illness or vacation, and the extent of the physician’s educational debt.
Suburban or rural areas are often better suited to solo practice because of significant medical needs and less competition from medical resources. Some local hospitals affiliate with and support solo practices (financially or with access to electronic medical records) in maintaining their patient base.
Employed Psychologist Practice
Psychologists may be employed within one of several practice models. Some hospitals may purchase and manage existing solo practices or hire Psychologists to work in their inpatient facility or ambulatory clinics. Health-care corporations may own and run clinics with employed psychologists.
Much of the administrative responsibility of running a practice is shifted to the employing entity, allowing the physicians to focus more on practising medicine. A baseline level of compensation is usually assured, although productivity demands and incentives may be significant.
The organisation usually has more resources than solo practices. There is better coverage for clinical responsibilities, more efficient control of lifestyle, more robust support services, and further education and training opportunities.
The downside is that physician autonomy may be substantially diminished relative to other practice models. Scheduling and productivity may be beyond the physician’s control; others may develop policies and procedures. There may be less clinical flexibility due to limitations of referrals and facilities based on the employing organisation. Serving on committees or participating in other organisational activities may be likely.
Other Types of Medical Practice
Some Psychologists work as independent contractors in a solo practice where other physicians share the facility and possibly clinical coverage. It may spread the costs of running a practice and may provide some flexibility in clinical scheduling. On the other hand, there is the loss of a degree of decision-making compared to a solo practice.
Locum tenens (literally “place holder”) is an alternative to more permanent employment. Locum tenens positions are temporary (from a few weeks up to a year) offered by practices, hospitals, or healthcare organisations with an unfilled clinical need. The compensation rate is generally higher than what the permanent position would suggest. Locum tenens allow physicians to gauge a specific type of practice or location without committing to long-term employment.
If you have an inclination to help people lead an optimal life regardless of the challenges and have a readiness to learn and grow, you will enjoy being a Psychologist.
‘Be nice to people; deliver what you promise. Do those two things, and you won’t go far wrong.’ Sam Cartwright-Hatton
When a person dies, they have seven minutes of brain activity left in which they see a dream-like sequence of their memories.
What do Psychologists do?
A Psychologist would typically need to:
Accredited
$225,097
