Psychology Assistant Job Description
Psychology assistants contribute to the field with their understanding of the human person and behaviors, mental health disorders and psychology research methods. These individuals often work "behind the scenes," making sure that routine tasks and responsibilities are completed and documented. Applicants for jobs as psychology assistants may face much competition from other candidates who hold higher educational degrees or have more experience. Advancement opportunities do exist for psychology assistants who decide to further their training in the field.
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Types
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Psychology assistants work as research assistants and as clinical assistants. These two roles differ in terms of function, basic job responsibilities and work environments. Research psychology assistants work in laboratories, mainly in university settings or other research facilities alongside professional scientists and psychologists. Psychology assistants in clinical settings often work as aides to practicing psychologists, psychiatric nurses and other health-care professionals. These psychology assistants work in mental health centers and psychiatric hospitals.
Education and Training
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Most psychology assistant jobs require the candidate to hold a four-year bachelor's degree in psychology. Some jobs--such as those in some mental health hospitals--may only require an associate's degree in the field. An associate's degree gives individuals patient care and communication skills, mental illness recognition skills, and knowledge and skills in clinical procedures and general psychology. A bachelor's degree in psychology involves additional courses in psychology topics, such as abnormal psychology, social psychology and drugs and behavior. The bachelor's degree also teaches research methods and report preparation, competencies required of psychology research assistants.
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Responsibilities
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Psychological aides and assistants in mental health centers and psychiatric treatment centers follow directions from and report to psychiatric nurses, psychologists and other supervisory employees. Job responsibilities of a psychology aide in this environment, also known as a mental health technician, include assisting with and leading group therapy sessions, helping in-patients get "settled" and monitoring and recording mental illness symptoms.
Psychology research assistants work with university psychologist faculty and professional researchers to carry out scientific studies and research work. The psychology research assistant may be in charge of preparing the laboratory for a new study, completing paperwork or observing animals during animal studies.
Earnings
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Salaries for psychology assistants vary depending on the specific type of employer and work. Psychology assistants working as psychiatric technicians and mental health technicians in clinical settings earn around $10 to $15 per hour according to 2010 data from PayScale.com and May 2009 data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Psychology laboratory assistants may earn around the same or slightly higher wages. Salary reports from 2010 from Indeed.com show the average national salary for psychology lab technicians in the United States is around $38,000.
Potential
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Psychology assistants have great career potential if the assistant decides he enjoys the work. With a bachelor's degree in psychology, a psychology assistant can go on to graduate school and earn a doctorate in psychology. Doctorates open up advanced job opportunities with higher pay in clinical settings and research laboratories. Instead of only assisting with patient care, the assistant can diagnose, assess and treat patients. In a laboratory, individuals who hold doctorates can manage entire teams and direct the research work performed.
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