Psychologist Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications

A Psychologist, or Psychotherapist uses psychological techniques and principles to help people control or overcome mental and behavioural issues. Their duties include observing and recording patients’ behaviour, performing controlled laboratory experiments and using psychotherapy and psychoanalysis to create treatment programmes.

 

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Psychologist duties and responsibilities 

Psychologists may work alone counselling patients, consulting with clients or doing independent research. Others work as part of a team with Social Workers, Physicians and other medical professionals to treat illness and promote overall wellness. Their duties and responsibilities vary depending on their work setting, but can include:

  • Interviewing, observing and surveying people to assess their emotional state
  • Conducting controlled experiments in laboratories and scientific studies to better understand behaviour and brain function
  • Testing patients to identify patterns that will provide more insights and understanding of their behaviours 
  • Helping clients set realistic mental and behavioural health goals and tracking their progress
  • Discussing treatment and control measures with clients 
  • Developing treatment programmes or using psychotherapeutic methods such as cognitive behavioural therapy to improve clients’ psychological health 
  • Supervising other psychological health professionals such as Clinicians and Counsellors 
  • Writing research papers and articles to disseminate findings with other professionals and contribute to the body of knowledge

 

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Psychologist Job Description Examples:

 

Example 1

Senior Support Worker/Assistant Psychologist Development role (Internal Opportunity)

Internal Recruitment Opportunity

*
Senior Support Worker/ Assistant Psychologist Development role*
Full or Part time - shift work required
£21,534.81 - £23,806.71
1 position Willowhurst
2 positions Ashurst

We have designed a new and exciting position in our services for a Senior Support Worker/ Assistant Psychologist Development Role. You would be employed as a Senior Support Worker working within the homes with young people, gaining first-hand experience of developing therapeutic relationships, supporting young people with complex needs through psychologically informed interventions, and supporting the day to day management and recovery of young people. The main tasks of the role will be support work but there will be protected time each week, where you will be engaged in work that is directly under the supervision of a qualified clinical psychologist. This work could include group work, assessments, the development of bio-psychosocial formulations, service-related research or audit alongside a key role in service as a lead for the implementation of prescribed psychological interventions identified by the qualified psychologists and nurses.

This role will offer the best combined opportunities to both work directly with complex young people, learn therapeutic risk management techniques and interventions, support recovery for these young people, whilst also gaining those essential skills and experience needed under direct supervision of a clinical psychologist.

We do also have Assistant Psychologist posts in service and people in the Assistant Psychologist Development roles would automatically qualify for shortlisting for new Assistant Psychologist posts we advertise in the future.

There are three roles available. One based at our Willowhurst service in Fulwood, Preston and the other two Ashurst, Lostock, Bolton. You will be required to work shifts over a 7 day period, including early shifts, late shifts , sleep ins and some night shifts where cover is required.

These are fantastic opportunities to develop the key skills required for an Assistant Psychologist and gain valuable experience.

If you would be interested in the position, please follow this link for the job description and an application form.

*
Closing date is Monday 5pm, 27 June.*

Job Type: Full-time

Salary: per year
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Example 2

Our local authority client in Tower Hamlet is hiring an Educational Psychologist on a temporary contract. This is an urgent opportunity with start week as early as first week of July 2022.

Skilled locum educational psychologists to provide first class psychological advice and potentially deliver traded services.

Skills, Education & Experience

An excellent level of written and spoken communication.

Ability to work effectively to meet deadlines.

HCPC registered as an Educational Psychologist.

Experience of completing statutory advice to a good standard.

At least an year experience of working as an Educational Psychologist in a local authority.

An Honours Degree in Psychology - or equivalent acceptable for graduate membership of the British Psychological Society

You will be someone who has considerable experience in a similar job in the past.

Please apply with your CV for immediate consideration.

Job Types: Fixed term contract, Temporary contract
Contract length: 2 months

Salary: £424.00 per day

Schedule:
  • Day shift

    Education:
  • Master's (required)

    Licence/Certification:
  • HCPC (required)

    Reference ID: start date: 04/07/2022
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    Example 3

    Shire Healthcare are working in partnership with a reputable charity recruiting for Practitioner Psychologistto work for a substance misuse service based in Lincolnshire.

    Role snapshot:

    This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced Psychologist to help developand build the infrastructure for this newly established service, steering towards a trauma informed approach.

    The main responsibilities of this role will be to manage and supervise staff, lead the development of this service, whilst also holding a small clinical caseload working with adults with trauma, drug and alcohol addictions and other mental health presentations.

    Contract type – permanent

    Hours – between 3-5 days p/w can be considered

    Salary - £50,000 - £60,000

    Experience required:

    Psychologists applying will have HCPCregistration as Clinical, Counselling or Forensic Psychologist. Due to this service being at the initial stages of development, previous experience in working with substance misuse, trauma, CBT and management/supervision is required.

    Why Shire Healthcare?

    You will be working with Lena Antoniou, a healthcare recruitment consultant with 16 years experience, 10 years of which recruiting solely within Psychology and therefore offering specialist knowledge and a passion for this industry. Lena can offer support and advice with CV writing, bespoke interview preparationand tips along with sound knowledge of the employer, the role, and their ethos.

    Reference ID: 1115 / Indpsy

    Job Types: Full-time, Part-time, Permanent

    Salary: £50,000.00-£60,000.00 per year

    Benefits:
  • Additional leave
  • Company pension
  • Cycle to work scheme
  • Flexible schedule
  • Flexitime
  • Life insurance
  • Wellness programmes
  • Work from home
    Schedule:
  • Monday to weekends
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    What does a Psychologist do?

    Psychologists try to understand and explain feelings, emotions, behaviour and thoughts. They do this by observing, recording and interpreting people’s relationships with themselves and their environment. They also perform experiments and assessments to develop theories about the feelings, thoughts and beliefs that influence psychological health. 

    Psychologists administer a wide range of tests to assess intelligence, personality, aptitude and cognitive performance. The work of a Psychologist may depend on their area of specialisation, such as developmental, clinical, rehabilitation, forensic, counselling or educational psychology. 

     

    Psychologist skills and qualifications

    A successful Psychologist candidate will have various prerequisite skills and qualifications to perform their duties effectively. These skills and qualifications include:

    • Exceptional listening and written and verbal communication skills
    • Strong diagnostic and observational skills 
    • Empathy, compassion and sensitivity to the issues of clients
    • Expert analytical skills
    • Ability to keep clients’ information confidential
    • Professionalism and patience
    • Ability to remain calm in tense situations 
    • Excellent interpersonal skills

     

    Psychologist experience requirements

    The type of experience Psychologists must have depends on the area of psychology they specialise in. Many employers prefer candidates who have worked as an Assistant Psychologist or in areas such as mental health work, social work or nursing. Some employers accept candidates who have worked as a Research Assistant. 

    If you’re looking for an Educational Psychologist, look for candidates who have experience working with children in childcare, educational or community settings. While not essential, teaching experience is useful. If you’re looking for an Occupational Psychologist, a candidate who has experience in business and management or personal and human resources is preferable. 

     

    Psychologist education and training requirements

    Psychologist must have a bachelor’s degree in psychology. They must have completed the Graduate Basis for Chartered Membership and obtained an accredited postgraduate qualification in a specific specialism such as forensic or educational psychology. 

    If you are looking to hire a Psychologist specialising in neuropsychology, the candidate must have a postgraduate qualification in clinical or educational psychology and completed specialist training in neuroscience. Candidates must also register with the Health and Care Professions Council. Candidates must also have completed additional psychology training from the British Psychological Society.  

     

    Psychologist salary expectations

    According to Indeed Salaries, the average salary of a Psychologist in the UK is £32,729 per year. Actual salary varies depending on several factors, including the Psychologist’s work experience, qualifications, specialism, employer and geographical location. 

     

    Job description samples for related positions 

    If a Psychologist is not quite what you’re looking for, here are other job description samples that may fit your needs:

     

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    Psychologist job description FAQs

     

    What qualities make a good Psychologist?

    A good Psychologist possesses a great deal of patience. In many cases, a Psychologist helps people work through challenging issues, which can take much time and effort. It’s important to let patients work at their own pace, and this can be a tiring task without possessing a great deal of perseverance. 

     

    What makes a good Psychologist job description?

    A good Psychologist job description starts with an attention-grabbing headline that includes the specific job title. It also describes the work environment and the type of patients candidates will be dealing with. It also highlights the exact job duties and responsibilities and includes information about salary and benefits, including health insurance, career progression opportunities, travel reimbursements and housing benefits. It also mentions an application deadline to create a sense of urgency. 

     

    Do Psychologists have different responsibilities in different industries?

    The responsibilities of a Psychologist will depend on the industry in which they work. For example, Forensic Psychologists use psychological techniques to help Police, Lawyers and Judges solve cases. Educational Psychologists help diagnose and treat education and developmental issues and disorders.  

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