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Psychologists

OaSIS code 31200.00

Psychologists assess and diagnose behavioural, emotional and cognitive disorders, counsel clients, provide therapy, conduct research and apply theory relating to behaviour and mental processes. Psychologists help clients work toward the maintenance and enhancement of psychological, physical, intellectual, emotional, social and interpersonal functioning.

Overview

Also known as

  • Clinical psychologist
  • Neuropsychologist
  • Psychological associate
  • Psychologist
  • Registered psychologist
  • Research psychologist
  • School psychologist

Main duties

This group performs some or all of the following duties:

  • Examine and assess behaviour, diagnose behavioural, emotional and cognitive disorders, counsel clients and provide therapy
  • Help clients manage physical illness and disorders
  • Counsel individuals and groups to achieve more effective personal, social and vocational development and adjustment, and offer mediation services
  • Use standard psychological tests for assessment
  • Plan intervention programs and conduct program evaluation
  • Apply psychological theory and principles regarding behaviour and mental processes such as learning, language development, memory and perception to develop treatment programs
  • Formulate hypotheses and experimental designs, review literature, conduct studies and publish research papers, educational texts and articles
  • Deliver presentations at conferences, workshops or symposia
  • Provide consultation services to government and other organizations
  • Conduct applied psychology and/or experimental research.

Additional information

  • Psychological associates may be granted permission by provincial regulatory authorities to perform duties normally restricted to psychologists, specifically diagnosing psychological disorders and communicating diagnoses to clients.
  • Sub-specialties include behavioural psychology, child psychology, cognitive psychology, developmental psychology, educational psychology, industrial psychology, neuropsychology, social psychology or sports psychology.

Similar occupations classified elsewhere

Exclusions:

NOC hierarchy breakdown

NOC version

NOC 2021 Version 1.0

Broad occupational category

3 – Health occupations

TEER

1 – Occupations usually require a university degree

Major group

31 – Professional occupations in health

Sub-major group

312 – Therapy and assessment professionals

Minor group

3120 – Therapy and assessment professionals

Unit group

31200 – Psychologists

Occupational profile

31200.00 – Psychologists

Work characteristics

Work characteristics gathers the various components describing the work environment of each occupation, such as employers, work activities, and the work context. Each category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of complexity (for Work Activities) or other measurement dimensions (for Work Context), and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Work Activities

Proficiency or complexity level
Analyzing Data or Information
5 - Highest Level
Assisting and Caring for Others
5 - Highest Level
Coaching and Developing Others
5 - Highest Level
Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships
5 - Highest Level
Interpreting the Meaning of Information for Others
5 - Highest Level

Work Context

Structural Job Characteristics

Structured versus Unstructured Work
Degree of freedom to determine tasks and priorities
4 - High amount of freedom
Work Week Duration
Worked hours in a typical week
3 - More than 40 hours

Physical Work Environment

Physical Proximity
Physical distance from others
3 - Somewhat close (e.g. share office)

Physical Demands

Sitting
Duration
4 - More than half the time
Standing
Duration
1 - Very little time
Bending or Twisting the Body
Duration
1 - Very little time

Interpersonal Relations

Contact with Others
Frequency
5 - Every day, almost continuously
Duration
4 - More than half the time
Work with Work Group or Team
Importance
4 - Highly important
Frequency
4 - Every day, a few times per day

Workplaces/employers

  • Businesses
  • Clinics
  • Community service organizations
  • Correctional facilities
  • Government agencies
  • Hospitals
  • Mental health facilities
  • Private practice
  • Private research agencies
  • Rehabilitation centres

Skills and abilities

This section displays the various competencies required for an occupation. Each category displays up to 10 descriptors in descending order based, firstly, on their attributed ratings by the level of proficiency (for Skills and Abilities) or importance (for Personal Attributes) and secondly, in alphabetical order. The whole list of descriptors and their ratings can be expanded at the bottom of each page.

Abilities

Proficiency or complexity level
Deductive Reasoning
5 - Highest Level
Inductive Reasoning
5 - Highest Level
Problem Identification
5 - Highest Level
Verbal Ability
5 - Highest Level
Written Comprehension
5 - Highest Level

Skills

Proficiency or complexity level
Critical Thinking
5 - Highest Level
Decision Making
5 - Highest Level
Learning and Teaching Strategies
5 - Highest Level
Oral Communication: Active Listening
5 - Highest Level
Oral Communication: Oral Comprehension
5 - Highest Level

Personal Attributes

Importance
Analytical Thinking
5 - Extremely important
Concern for Others
5 - Extremely important
Independence
5 - Extremely important
Service Orientation
5 - Extremely important
Active Learning
4 - Highly important