Nature of work
Hopefully you are a sociable person because your job as a clinical psychologists required to work with a particular client group, such as children or people with learning disabilities. You often work in a particular setting, for example a hospital or through social services. As a clinical psychologist you will carry out the following tasks:- assessing a client's needs, abilities or behaviour using a variety of methods, including psychometric tests, interviews and direct observation of behaviour;
- working as part of a multidisciplinary team alongside doctors, nurses, social workers, education professionals, health visitors, psychiatrists and occupational therapists;
- · devising and monitoring appropriate programmes of treatment, including therapy, counselling or advice, in collaboration with colleagues;
- offering therapy and treatments for difficulties relating to mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, addiction, social and interpersonal problems and challenging behaviour;
- developing and evaluating service provision for clients;
- providing consultation to other professions, encouraging a psychological approach in their work;
- counselling and supporting carers;
- carrying out applied research, adding to the evidence base of practice in a variety of healthcare settings.
Environment of work
If you like to take a part in this career, you have to dedicate yourself to work from 8.30 am to 4pm, with taking into consideration that you may need to work extra hours in the evening or at weekends. Occasionally, an on-call system covering emergency situations may be in operation. This career gives you many flexible options .For example, Self -employment/freelance work is sometimes possible. Also, you have a good opportunity for private or clinical practice, and for industrial or commercial consultancy. You should be patient enough because your job can be stressful for, it involves contact with many different types of people who are often distressed in some way. Supervision by your colleagues is important because situations of potential personal risk may be encountered. Hopefully you like travelling because you might have to spend some nights away from home and local travel within working day is common. Professional life
If you are a qualified clinical psychologist, then go and apply for this job because you have a good opportunity to be employed, in spite of the situation which varies according to geographical region, the overall number of jobs available in each specialist area and the popularity of particular fields. You are lucky to be a clinical psychologist because you have many choices you can apply for. For instance, you can work as a trainer, a teacher or a researcher in universities. You should know that further training is usually required to practise in another country.Range of typical starting salaries: 60000 SYP
Getting the job
If you are considering applying for a clinical psychologist position, then you have to get a bachelor's degree in Psychological.In order to secure a training place, you have to get a minimum of six to twelve months' relevant clinical work experience. Moreover, if you like to be a successful applicant, typically you should have two years' work experience. Research experience as a research assistant in a branch of psychology is also relevant, particularly if the research is clinically oriented. Having a good balance of experience in both academic and clinical areas is considered as a good advantage for you. It is a good idea to take a course In order to get some tips about the ways which enable you to gain the necessary experience. However, some course providers have specific requirements for the candidates to be accepted in that course.
Skills
Along with the academic qualifications, as a candidate you will need to show evidence of the following skills:empathy and a person-centred approach to clients;
- tolerance of stress;
- the ability to recognise your own limitations and respond to difficult situations;
- the ability to apply your knowledge of academic psychology and research to clinical problems;
- the capacity to be critical and analytical and to work in a self-motivated, independent way;
- excellent communication and interpersonal skills in order to deal with people in distress;
- the ability to collaborate with colleagues from other disciplines;
- the determination to succeed;
- a strong understanding of the profession and the role of a clinical psychologist.
Sources and references
www.apa.org, American Psychological Association www.prospects.ac.uk, the official graduates career website.
Arab Standard Classification of Occupations, 2008, Ed. Arab Labor Organization