Clinical Psychologist Job Description Information

Overview

• For some people, life can be volatile, stressful or even unbearable. Clinical psychologists are highly trained doctors who assist patients experiencing challenges with common life events such as marriage, divorce or the death of a loved one. However, patients diagnosed with mental illnesses and psychological disorders are also referred to clinical psychologists to learn how to function normally in society.

Therapy and Counseling

• Clinical psychologists supervise and participate in individual and group therapy sessions to uncover the root causes of stress, mental illness and other psychological disorders that are affecting patients. These specialists also work at physical rehabilitation centers and other medical facilities that treat patients with terminal diseases and physical injuries.
  
• Therapy sessions can include spouses who are experiencing marital problems, families struggling to deal with a troubled teenager or a schizophrenic who is unable to live and function normally in society. It is the clinical psychologist’s job to ask the patient questions about his mental and physical condition, past experiences, family history and other information that will assist the psychologist with properly diagnosing his issue.

Research

• Between therapy sessions, clinical psychologists conduct research to gain additional knowledge on the patient’s condition or glean additional data from previous medical cases. These professionals often conduct diagnostic exams to tailor and execute programs that modify patient's behavior. For example, a clinical psychologist that specializes in neuropsychology may examine her patient’s brain patterns or how head injuries relate to behavior and mental health.
  Clinical psychologists also teach courses related to mental health and behavioral medicine at universities, and perform research for academic publications.

Physician and Patient Communication

• As in most medical fields, clinical psychologists must communicate with other psychologists and physicians to formulate an effective treatment plan for their patients. Clinical psychologists are not authorized to prescribe medication, so they must work closely with doctors, psychiatrists, and other medical specialists who are able to recommend and administer medicine to patients. Psychologists must also explain to patients how they intend to help them with their illness, what treatment options are available and actions patients must take to be successful in the program.

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Clinical Psychologist Salary Information

Clinical psychologists diagnose patients through therapeutic sessions and prescribe emotional, personal or medical assistance to help patients overcome mental or physical ailments. These professionals are found in a variety of clinical, social and rehabilitation settings. In May 2009, the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported average salaries for clinical psychologists under the occupational title of clinical, counseling and schools psychologists.

 

Qualifications

• According to the BLS, most clinical psychologists are required to obtain a doctoral degree in psychology. Completing this education includes approximately five years of graduate studies after receiving a bachelor's degree in psychology or a related discipline. Along with education, most states require clinical psychologists to obtain a license to practice professionally. A state-administered examination and certification from the American Board of Professional Psychologists is required to practice as a clinical psychologist.

Salary

• Annual median wages were $66,040 in May 2009, according to the BLA. The 25th percentile earned $50,210 per year and the 75th percentile earned $85,270 per year. The 10th percentile earned $39,270 per year and the 90th percentile earned $109,470 per year.

Industries

• The highest levels of employment were found in industries such as elementary and secondary schools, offices of other health practitioners, individual family services, outpatient care centers and psychiatric and substance abuse hospitals. The highest wages were in the management, scientific and technical consulting services industry, where annual mean wages were $102,150. Physicians' offices paid annual mean wages of $83,150 and other health care practitioners paid annual mean wages of $83,950.

Geography

• The highest levels of employment were in New Mexico, Massachusetts, Idaho, New York and Hawaii. In New Mexico, which had 2.16 clinical psychologist for 1,000 workers, annual mean wages were $61,880 and in Massachusetts annual mean wages were $73,930. The highest wages were in the Greeley, Colorado area, where annual mean wages were $170,280 per year. Other high-paying metropolitan areas include Trenton-Ewing, New Jersey, where annual mean wages were $110,006 per year. In the metropolitan division of the Vallejo-Fairfield, California, annual mean wages were $103,520.

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How to Become a Clinical Psychologist

Becoming a clinical psychologist is a long process. In fact, it takes almost the longest time out of all the areas of psychology. If you work hard and are patient, it will pay off because clinical psychologists have a lot of freedom in their careers once they finish their schooling. They can work for hospitals, with children or even start their own private practice and set their own hours. If you are interested in learning how to become a clinical psychologist, you need to take certain steps to begin your career.

1. Graduate from high school and enroll in a four-year university. Select psychology as your course of study for your bachelor's degree.
2. Ask your psychology professors if they need an assistant. Being a psychology professor’s assistant can give you great experience and be an asset for your graduate school applications.
3. Before earning your bachelor’s degree, make an appointment to talk to your academic adviser about psychology graduate school programs. He can give you recommendations and the necessary applications and can help you make sure you meet all the specific requirements for the programs you’re interested in.
4. Apply to graduate school and complete your bachelor’s degree. You may be required to take the Graduate Record Examination. If so, talk to your academic adviser to find out when you can sign up to take the test. Ask the adviser to help you locate study aids.
5. Get accepted to graduate school. After you meet the specific requirements of your chosen graduate school program and are accepted, you will need to begin earning a Doctor of Psychology (Ph.D). Complete your dissertation, which requires you to research an original topic.
6. Spend the next two years finishing up your graduate program’s required post-doctoral training. You will be working with clinical psychologists to gain hands-on experience.
7. Obtain additional needed licenses. Clinical psychologists are required to have additional licensing along with their Ph.D. and training. Ask your graduate school program representative for information and study guides for the Examination for Professional Practice in Psychology (EPPP), a multiple-choice exam covering all areas of psychology.
8. Take your state's required oral and written exam. Each state's licensing procedures are different, so find out through your program what you will need to take.
9. Find a job in clinical psychology. Apply at schools, hospitals, mental health facilities and private practices until you find an area you're interested in.

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