From What can you do with a degree in psychology?

Revision as of 13:28, 25 March 2015 (edit) Jt92cl (Talk | contribs) ← Previous diff		Revision as of 13:29, 25 March 2015 (edit) (undo) Jt92cl (Talk | contribs) Next diff →
Line 8:		Line 8:
	== Typical workday ==		== Typical workday ==
-	Psychometrists may secure work in a variety of settings, both through public and private enterprise. Employers may include companies, private practice, research firms, government agencies or school boards</ref>Global Post (n.d.). Retrieved from: http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/psychometrist-job-description-28624.html</ref>. A typical workday for a psychometrist depends largely on where he or she is employed. Consequently, the workday would typically be structured around the employer’s scheduled hours. A clinical practice may work a longer workday to accommodate late counseling appointments, such as 9:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m., whereas a company would schedule testing during normal business hours, which generally run from 8:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Psychometrics employed by a school board would have their schedule dictated by a school board, in terms of daily hours as well time off, including March break, summers, and all school board observed holidays. Generally, psychometrics not required to be on call for emergencies. Therefore all testing would be scheduled to take place during business hours. During the workday a psychometrist would administer the test(s), stay with the client while the test(s) is being completed, note behavior, score the test(s) and lastly, convey the results to the appropriate person.	+	Psychometrists may secure work in a variety of settings, both through public and private enterprise. Employers may include companies, private practice, research firms, government agencies or school boards</ref>Global Post (n.d.). Retrieved from: http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/psychometrist-job-description-28624.html<ref>. A typical workday for a psychometrist depends largely on where he or she is employed. Consequently, the workday would typically be structured around the employer’s scheduled hours. A clinical practice may work a longer workday to accommodate late counseling appointments, such as 9:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m., whereas a company would schedule testing during normal business hours, which generally run from 8:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Psychometrics employed by a school board would have their schedule dictated by a school board, in terms of daily hours as well time off, including March break, summers, and all school board observed holidays. Generally, psychometrics not required to be on call for emergencies. Therefore all testing would be scheduled to take place during business hours. During the workday a psychometrist would administer the test(s), stay with the client while the test(s) is being completed, note behavior, score the test(s) and lastly, convey the results to the appropriate person.
	== Educational requirements and other qualifications ==		== Educational requirements and other qualifications ==

---

Revision as of 13:29, 25 March 2015

Contents 1 Psychometrist (Joann Tweney) 1.1 General Overview 1.2 Job duties and responsibilities 1.3 Typical workday 1.4 Related skills, interests, and abilities 1.5 Notes and References

Psychometrist (Joann Tweney)

General Overview

A psychometrist specializes in psychological testing in areas such as personality, aptitude, interest and intelligence. A psychometrist can also measure brain function as it pertains to certain diseases such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's^[1] . These tests are divided into two main categories: aptitude and ability tests and personality and interest tests. These tests serve a wide range of purposes including: determining career goals; management styles; personality types; employment suitability; areas of cognitive functioning or development, and more^[2]. Examples of who might request psychometric testing include: psychologists or school psychologists; employers seeking to assess a potential employee's suitability or aptitude; research firms who wish to test new products. Examples of individual tests include: personality profiles, motivation questionnaires, reasoning tests. All tests must meet three important criteria: standardization; reliability and validity^[3], thus eliminating a subjective or biased perspective on behalf of the psychometrist. Tests are typically administered in an office, depending on who has requested the test. A potential employer may test in an office or meeting room whereas a school psychometrist may test in a quiet area where there will be no interruption. Psychometrists work under the supervision of a psychologist ^[1]and must be certified.

Job duties and responsibilities

Psychometrists administer testing for both youths and adults in a variety of settings, depending on who is requesting the test and who is taking the test. Psychometrics covers a broad range of testing but all testing requires the psychometrist to oversee the testing procedure, observe the participant and note behavior (which may be evaluated by the psychologist). After the testing is completed, the psychometrist will score the results. Lastly the psychometrist wills interpret the results and convey the results tot eh appropriate person (depending on who requested the testing) ^[4].

Typical workday

Psychometrists may secure work in a variety of settings, both through public and private enterprise. Employers may include companies, private practice, research firms, government agencies or school boards</ref>Global Post (n.d.). Retrieved from: http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/psychometrist-job-description-28624.html^[5]. Online courses are available for Level B Psychometric Assessment through Life Strategies, in cooperation with Yorkville University. To receive Level B certification, two courses are required: Fundamentals of Psychometric Assessment ($650) and Psychometric Assessment: Section, Administration and Interpretation of “B” Level tools ($1250) ^[6]. In Canada, psychometrists may choose to join the Ontario Association of Consultants, Counsellors, Psychometrists and Psychotherapists (OACCPP). Membership dues vary depending on the type of membership, which range from student to affiliate. For more information, and a full description of membership types and associated fees visit http://www.oaccpp.ca/membership/types-of-membership/ There is currently no governing body for psycholometrists and as such requirements are standard across Canada. Lastly, there are no requirements to upgrade training on a regular basis, although reissuing of specific tests may have specific requirements as yet undetermined.

Related skills, interests, and abilities

One of the most fundamental skills a psychometrist can possess is critical thinking^[7]. Due to the nature of the testing, which includes administering the test, scoring, understanding and communicating results, a psychometrist must have the ability to navigate the process, at each individual step. Moreover, if any one step becomes compromised, or disrupted, it is the psychometrist’s role to facilitate an acceptable solution, whether that entails relocation, retesting or a number of alternative solutions. Strong communication skills are essential to dialogue in a professional and courteous manner.Cite error 2; Invalid <ref> tag; refs with no content must have a name. Working with a variety of individuals, whether they are students, or adults applying for a job, a psychometrist deals with the general public. As the person administering the test, the psychometrist has to explain all the necessary information to the person taking the test, therefore clear communication is essential in order for the client to be able to perform to the best of their ability. Furthermore the psychometrist must be able to listen to the client in order to address any concerns, questions or thoughts the client may have, both prior to and after completing the test Cite error 2; Invalid <ref> tag; refs with no content must have a name. Lastly, as the communicator of the results to the psychologist, a psychometrist must be able to be clear in discussing not only client behavior but also results. While not specifically a skill per se, yet skill necessary, is an ability to pay to attention to details. Whether this involves environmental details such as providing tools for the taking the test, room temperature, time, or whether it is paying attention to the client, observing behavior, or responding to needs or questions, an attention to detail can be conducive to providing the best possible results of a client, or contribute to a less than optimum result.

Notes and References

1. ↑ ^{1.0 1.1} Inside Jobs(n.d.) Psychometrist. Retrieved from http://www.insidejobs.com/careers/psychometrist
2. ↑ Psychometrics Success. (n.d.). Retrieved from: http://www.psychometric-success.com/faq/faq-what-are-psychometric-tests.htm
3. ↑ Mind Tools. (n.d.). Retrieved from:http://www.mindtools.com/pages/article/newCDV_21.htm
4. ↑ The National Association of Psychometrists, (n.d.). Retrieved from: http://napnet.org/about/what-is-a-psychometrist/
5. ↑ . A typical workday for a psychometrist depends largely on where he or she is employed. Consequently, the workday would typically be structured around the employer’s scheduled hours. A clinical practice may work a longer workday to accommodate late counseling appointments, such as 9:00 a.m. until 7:00 p.m., whereas a company would schedule testing during normal business hours, which generally run from 8:30 a.m. until 5:30 p.m. Psychometrics employed by a school board would have their schedule dictated by a school board, in terms of daily hours as well time off, including March break, summers, and all school board observed holidays. Generally, psychometrics not required to be on call for emergencies. Therefore all testing would be scheduled to take place during business hours. During the workday a psychometrist would administer the test(s), stay with the client while the test(s) is being completed, note behavior, score the test(s) and lastly, convey the results to the appropriate person.  

   Educational requirements and other qualifications

   Psychometrists require a four year undergraduate degree from an accredited university, both in Canada and the United States. Most employers require a masters degree in psychology or a related field, which again, can be obtained through any accredited university in Canada. Tests administered by a psychometrist are classified under three levels, A, B or C. Anyone with an undergraduate degree may administer a Level A test. Further certification is required to administer a Level B test. Anyone who purchases and administers a Level B must abide by certain principles pertaining to the correct use, knowledge of assessments and how to apply them. <ref></ref>. To be able to administer a Level C test, a graduate degree in a specified area of psychology is required such as clinical or school psychology <ref>University of British Columbia (n.d.). PSYCHOEDUCATIONAL RESEARCH AND TRAINING CENTRE (PRTC) Faculty of Education, University of British Columbia, Qualifications for the Ethical Use of Tests. Retrieved from: http://prtc.educ.ubc.ca/files/2011/12/Qualifications-for-the-Ethical-Use-of-Tests.pdf</li> <li id="_note-2">[[#_ref-2|↑]] Life Strategies Website http://www.lifestrategies.ca/store/products.php?cat=13,</li> <li id="_note-3">[[#_ref-3|↑]] My Majors, Psychometrist Career. (n.d.). Retrieved from: http://www.mymajors.com/career/psychometrist/skills/</li></ol></ref>

   Retrieved from "https://kumu.brocku.ca/whatcanyoudowithadegreeinpsychology/Tweney%2C_Joann_Lyn_-_Psychometrist"