What Careers are in Clinical Psychology?

The careers in clinical psychology may be found in a variety of work environments, such as hospitals, universities and private research centers. Below introduces four of the most common jobs for graduates of clinical psychology programs.

School Psychologist

School psychologists are responsible for conducting psycho-educational evaluations on children between the ages of six and 18. While most school psychologists do not provide individual or group therapy sessions, they work as key members of interdisciplinary educational professionals who provide essential services to students. When it comes to the psychological needs of students and their educational progress, school psychologists gather background information from parents, teachers and community partners to help them perform assessments. They select the most appropriate test instruments and measurement methods for individual students. Once the evaluation is complete, they analyze the data and associated student records to formulate conclusions and recommendations related to learning styles and behavioral concerns.

Medical Psychologist

Medical psychologists regularly provide diagnostic and treatment services to patients and their families. They often emphasize certain demographics, such as women, children or vulnerable populations. They must integrate the growth and development needs of their patients into the delivery care plan and process. They provide consulting and treatment services to hospitalized patients and serve as team members of medical services as assigned. They provide psychological testing of patients, which includes projective and intellectual assessments, according to the American Psychological Association. They collaborate with APA-approved community programs and work closely with medical and state social workers. They may provide supervision for student participants of APA approved internship training programs. They must maintain required state licensure and certification.

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Behavioral Analyst

Behavioral analysts execute clinical services, such as group, family and individual therapy sessions, but have demanding administrative duties, such as maintaining accurate records and charts as required by the state. They supervise and instruct personnel in the methods and techniques that are employed in the psychological service industry. Behavioral analysts participate in developing and delivering behavioral and individualized programs for patients. They provide crisis intervention services as needed and a variety of diagnostic services under the supervision of a licensed psychologist. This means that they participate in the administration, scoring and interpretation of psychological tests that measure the cognitive and psycho-motor performances of patients. Behavioral analysts provide in-service training for personnel on therapeutic and individualized intervention treatment plans.

Chief Clinical Officer

Licensed clinical psychologist may serve as chief clinical officer in drug treatment and rehabilitation facilities. They provide their expertise to enhance the effectiveness of correctional treatment programs. They ensure that clinical programs and interventions meet state licensure and professional standards of care. They recommend, review and approve revised clinical protocols and organizational policies. Chief clinical officers are expected to lead quality improvement teams and programs, so they often review program documentation and client records to ensure that clinical services meet the appropriate standards of care for treating substance addictions and mental health disorders. Chief clinical officers directly guide staff on assessment, care planning and treatment techniques.

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Additional job titles for clinical psychologists include educational consultant, corporate medical director and individualized education program (IEP) manager.