what is a psychologist?
As a psychologist, your role revolves around studying human behaviours. You investigate the reason behind changes in behaviour by analysing a patient's mind, relationships and emotions. You rely on science and interpersonal skills to identify and diagnose clients with mental health issues. The diagnoses are usually based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). You also treat patients with behavioural problems. You use cognitive behaviour therapies to promote emotional stability and help patients cope with mental health challenges.
Psychologists are trained in performing psychological evaluations, which rate and analyse healthy and pathological mental states. Your training also equips you with the tools to treat anxiety, eating disorders and post-traumatic stress disorders (PTSD). As a psychologist, you can work in diverse settings providing treatment to specific groups. Some psychologists work in healthcare facilities helping those with suicidal tendencies and PTSD. Sometimes, you speak with patients with extensive injuries acquired from dangerous occupations like construction or mining.
As a psychologist, you work in schools or community settings and assist students and young adults with anxiety, depression, eating disorders or drug problems. Mental health institutions, rehabilitation centres and prisons rely on psychologists to improve patients’ behavioural issues’ well-being.
psychologist jobsaverage salary of a psychologist
The typical remuneration package for a psychologist is $103,000 per year in Australia. The lowest-paid psychologist takes home $90,000, while experts earn $100,000 annually. You earn the lowest salary when you are new in the role due to your limited expertise. Hence, improving your skills and gaining work experience improves your salary prospects.
Aside from expertise, specialising also increases your remuneration package. For instance, clinical psychologists take home an average salary of $110,000 annually, while experts earn over $120,000 annually.
how to increase your salary as a psychologist
The salary expectations of psychologists vary depending on work experience and qualifications. Psychologists with the fewest qualifications and least experience earn a lower salary due to the minimal transferable skills they bring to the role. Hence, improving your qualifications and work experience is likely to increase your remuneration prospects.
Your employer also influences your remuneration package. For instance, working in public healthcare facilities and community centres may lower your salary expectations. Private healthcare facilities and rehabilitation centres are more likely to pay higher salaries, and large private facilities have additional resources and can afford to pay psychologists more.
Want to know what you will earn as a psychologist? Check out what you are worth with our salary checker.
types of psychologists
The discipline of psychology is expanding, with many specialisms emerging to cater for various groups of people and behavioural problems. Some of the types of psychologists include:
- clinical psychologist: as a clinical psychologist, you assess and treat mental and behavioural disorders. You use the science of psychology to treat complex human problems and promote change. You develop behaviour modification programmes and implement them. As a clinical psychologist, you are likely to work in mental health facilities and hospital settings.
- counselling psychologist: as a counselling psychologist, you focus on helping patients cope with behavioural issues. Counsellors focus on general therapy that may apply psychologists’ research such as prevention, assessment, diagnosis and treatment and ongoing monitoring of clients with mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety and substance abuse. You collaborate with patients to help them identify coping mechanisms.
- school psychologist: as a school psychologist, you contribute to student well-being in schools by providing specialised psychological assessment, counselling and intervention services. You collaborate with school counsellors and teachers to assist students that may struggle with low self-esteem and poor performance.
- forensic psychologist: as a forensic psychologist, you use legal and psychological knowledge to help individuals in the criminal justice system. You may also assist government employees and organisations to navigate the legal and criminal justice systems.
working as a psychologist
Working as a psychologist involves helping people deal with various mental health problems. If you are fascinated by human behaviour, discover the specific tasks performed in the role and the job outlook.
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duties and responsibilities
Psychologists typically perform the following tasks:
- collecting data about patients: you collect data about your clients and use the information to assess the behavioural, cognitive and emotional disorders causing negative behaviours. You administer the psychological evaluation tests used to diagnose mental health problems. You ask questions and record clients' responses, and observe their body language. You use the DSM guide to diagnose mental health problems.
- formulating treatment plans: you recommend treatment plans following diagnosis. You formulate care plans and perform the treatment procedures necessary to remedy a client's condition. For instance, you conduct counselling sessions and help your clients find ways to cope with their conditions.
- conducting research studies: you conduct research to improve your understanding of human behaviour and mental health issues. You consult with other professionals and researchers in the field on mental health conditions and new treatment plans to improve patient outcomes.
- promoting awareness of mental health problems: as a psychologist, you promote awareness of various diagnoses and treatment plans for mental health issues. A psychologist develops predictive tests and formulates diagnostics to aid teachers and recruiters in identifying behavioural issues. You teach people about the prevention of mental health challenges across various industries.
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work environment
As a psychologist, you work in clinics, government healthcare facilities and schools. Hence, your work setting depends on your employer. You primarily work indoors in healthcare facilities or private practices. You also work in rehabilitation centres and care homes for patients with different conditions. When you work in community centres, sometimes you organise group activities outdoors or raise awareness of mental health problems in community settings. The role involves travelling when you visit patients in different locations. School psychologists work on school premises offering counselling services.
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who are your colleagues?
Depending on your employer and the industry you work in, your colleagues might include general nurses, mental health nurses, paediatric nurses, pharmacists, psychiatrists and rehabilitation counsellors. You might also be working in close proximity to behavioural specialists and behaviour support practitioners, as well as other specialists that could include, but not be limited to, social workers, care managers, clinic coordinators and clinical leads.
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work schedule
Your work schedule as a psychologist depends on your employer. You work in shifts in hospitals since they usually need on-call psychologists to handle emergencies. The shifts are eight to twelve hours daily, and you may work over 40 hours weekly. Sometimes, you work evening and weekend shifts, depending on client appointments. Most psychologists work full-time positions, but part-time roles are also available. In private practice, you set your work hours, which gives you a flexible work schedule.
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job outlook
The demand for psychologists is likely to grow by 22.8% in the next five years, so the job outlook for the role is positive. Opportunities for career advancement in psychology are available in research and teaching and various specialisms. As a psychologist, you can specialise in providing clinical services in mental health settings or become a lecturer. Since psychologists usually have a doctorate, they can become researchers.
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advantages of finding a psychologist job through randstad
Finding your psychologist job through Randstad provides important advantages such as:
- a wide variety of training and development opportunities
- an experienced contact person to provide help if needed
- a range of opportunities in your area
- get paid weekly or monthly, depending on the job
- temporary and permanent contracts
Want a permanent contract? A temporary job as a psychologist is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad too.
education and skills
A psychologist requires the following educational requirements:
- bachelor's degree: to become a psychologist, you need a licence from the Psychology Board of Australia (PBA). To meet the minimum requirements to register with the board, pursue a bachelor's degree in psychology or psychological science. The degree course takes three years, and you can complete an honours degree or a postgraduate diploma in your fourth year. The courses you undertake must be accredited by the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC).
- postgraduate study or internship: fourth-year graduates should complete an accredited postgraduate psychology degree for fifth and sixth-year studies to qualify for registration with the PBA. Alternatively, look for internship opportunities and practice for two years to receive a licence.
skills and competencies
Some of the qualities of a psychologist include:
- communication skills: your job involves listening and communicating with clients. You require communication and active listening skills to ask the right questions and diagnose behavioural issues from patients' responses.
- interpersonal skills: you spend most of the day interacting with people and studying patients. You require interpersonal skills to relate well with your patients and build good relationships.
- critical thinking skills: you require critical thinking and analytical skills to establish proper treatment plans and formulate an accurate diagnosis. Analytical thinking also helps you identify the effectiveness of the treatment plans.
- patience: you rely on counselling to treat patients, and it often takes time to notice behavioural changes. Patience helps you to see the treatment sessions to their end.
FAQs about working as a psychologist
Here are the most asked questions about working as a psychologist:
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what are the main duties of a psychologist?
As a psychologist, your primary duty is to study people's emotional and cognitive processes and assess their conditions. You also observe how patients relate to their environment and use the findings to reach a diagnosis. After identifying patients' behavioural or mental health issues, you formulate a treatment plan. You also counsel patients and teach them coping mechanisms for preventing negative behaviours.
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is being a psychologist a good career in australia?
Becoming a psychologist is a promising career in Australia, with the demand for professionals in the field growing steadily, with a predicted increase of 22.8%. The remuneration package increases as you improve your skills or specialise. Psychologists also have many specialisation options and opportunities for career progression.
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is a psychologist a doctor in australia?
In Australia, most psychologists have attained PhD qualifications by meeting the eligibility requirements like completing specialised research work. Despite holding a doctorate in psychology, they are not medical doctors. Hence, they are not licensed to administer medications. Their treatment methods usually include cognitive therapy and counselling sessions.
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what does a psychologist earn in australia?
Psychologists in Australia have a median remuneration package of $100,000 per year. The amount increases as you improve your skills and expertise. Experienced psychologists earn over $110,000, while trainees in the field take home $90,000 annually. Your area of specialisation may also boost your remuneration package.
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what is the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist?
As a psychologist, you conduct scientific studies to diagnose mental health problems. While you don't administer medication, you use various therapies to minimise behavioural issues. A psychiatrist specialises in the medical field devoted to the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of mental disorders. A psychiatrist is a medical doctor (M.D. or D.O.) who specialises in mental health, including substance use disorders. Their job is to apply pharmacological remedies to psychological diagnoses. Since they are trained in psychology, they can diagnose, prescribe, administer medicines and create treatment plans for patients.
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how do I apply for a psychologist vacancy?
Applying for a psychologist job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our psychologist job offers. Then simply send us your CV and cover letter. Need help with your application? Check out all our job search tips here.
