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What Is Your job Title?
Psychometrician
What Does Psychometrician Do?
The Psychometrician is an integral member of an inter-professional team and who functions within a collaborative team-based model. The Psychometrician is responsible for the administration and scoring of psychological assessment tests under the supervision of a clinical Psychologist. These are part of the standardized outcome assessment of all patients. These assessments contribute to the monitoring of the growth and development of children who are at risk for developmental challenges from birth to 18 years. There are a large number of tests utilized to assess the developmental level of the children being tested. The Psychometrician also provides a written summary of the patient’s behaviour during testing, including any interactions with parents or peers that may be observed incidentally, and keeps Psychologists informed of their status. In addition, the Psychometrician may review progress of patients with other health care team members. A Psychometrician also assists in the education of team members, and students, on the use of assessment tools. The Psychometrician performs various other duties consistent with the job classification, as required.
What Training Is Necessary to Do Your Work?
A Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology is required, with demonstrated competency and experience in the administration and interpretation of psychological testing. All areas of cognitive functioning could potentially be tested by a Psychometrist (cognition, memory, learning, academic functioning, social-emotional functioning, etc.). In my job specifically, it is crucial to be comfortable dealing with children from birth to 18 years
old, who may have potentially extremely difficult behaviours. It is also very important for me to have effective verbal and written communication skills; interpersonal and client service skills; excellent organization and time management skills; excellent decision making, problem recognition, and problem solving skills; and negotiation and conflict resolution skills.
Where Do You Work?
I work in a Child Development program at a local health centre. A Psychometrist may work in public health, hospital settings, educational institutions and schools, and private practice.
Who Needs Your Services and Why?
We offer diagnostic and treatment services to children as well as support for families. Our clients display or are at significant risk for developmental, cognitive and/or physical challenges.
What Is Your Favourite Part of Your Job?
I absolutely LOVE working one-on-one with every child that I get to test. I have learned a lot and have had many opportunities for personal growth from working with children – especially those with more difficult behaviour.
What Challenges Do You Have in Your Job?
I have no say in, nor control over, my schedule. We are chronically understaffed in the psychology department. Our waitlists are long, (it varies with the reason we are seeing the child, but some children could be waiting 1 1/2 to 2 years for a comprehensive assessment) because we do not have the resources to adequately meet the demand. Also, our scoring programs are very dated and there is not enough funding to upgrade. This leads to a lot of frustration and wasted time when I.T. tries to upgrade our software.
What Are the Consequences When There Are Not Enough People with Your Training to Provide Service?
It is heartbreaking, as the development of children is exceptionally time-sensitive; so, the sooner we see them, the better the outcome is for the child and their family. The shortage of staff causes heavy booking of the clients we see to try and meet the demand, so my schedule is often full and I get overwhelmed and burned out at times.