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Marnie Winters
Administrator

Posts: 185

Career Spotlight Dec 28, 2017 14:02:03 GMT

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Post by Marnie Winters on Dec 28, 2017 14:02:03 GMT

Career Spotlight: Crime Scene Investigator

Job description:

Crime scene investigators are often one of the first respondents to a crime scene for information gathering purposes. While on the scene of a crime, the investigators are responsible for analyzing and assessing the situation. They must prepare a written report on their initial findings which can include the location of the scene of the crime, the details of the crime, their findings at the scene, and the evidence that was left behind at the scene of the crime. Crime scene investigators must know what items are considered evidence, where to know to look for the evidence (some evidence may be quite small and may be difficult to locate), and how to properly package evidence to be used in crime scene assessments in the near future. Crime scene investigators may be called in to court to testify during a trial-either for the defense or the prosecution. In many instances during court proceedings, crime scene investigators are asked about their findings and the processing methods that were used at the scene. While at the scene of a crime, crime scene investigators will secure the crime scene and set the boundaries. They will collect the evidence they find at the crime scene and properly package it, in order to preserve it for analysis. Crime scene investigators will be responsible for properly and accurately measuring, recording, and analyzing chemical substances, tissue samples, physical materials and ballistics evidence, in order to have it further reviewed and analyzed in a crime scene laboratory. They will be responsible for classifying evidence found at the crime scene by analyzing crime lab findings and test results. Crime scene investigators will be responsible for talking to professionals in fingerprinting, ballistics, handwriting, electronics, documents, chemistry, medicine or metallurgy, in order to correctly to properly interpret the collected evidence. Crime scene investigators will write clear, detailed reports assessing the crime scene, and detailing every single step that was taken during their time on the scene of the crime.

Education:

Some law enforcement agencies will require their crime scene investigators to possess a minimum of an associate's degree, and other law enforcement agencies will require their crime scene investigators to possess a minimum of a bachelor's degree. These jobs can be competitive and a bachelor's degree may help open career doors for those organizations requiring an associate's degree. Good majors for both the associate's degree and the bachelor's degree includes law enforcement, criminal justice, crime scene forensics, or forensic science.

License and/or certification needed:

Some states require their crime scene investigators be licensed. This means a test needs to be taken and successfully passed. Eligibility requirements to take the exam will vary from state to state, so individuals should plan to check the requirements for the state where they intend to work prior to registering to take the exam.

Working conditions:

Crime scene investigators will often work irregular hours including daytime hours, evenings, nighttime hours, weekends, and holidays. They may be required to work indoors or outdoors and may be subject to heat, cold, rain, and other types of unfavorable weather. Their jobs may be stressful and, at times, they may work long hours. They are part of a law enforcement team through a law enforcement agency.

Pay:

The 2016 median salary for crime scene investigators was $56,750 per year.

Future outlook:

The crime scene investigator industry is projected to grow 17% through 2024, which is much faster than average.

People who are successful in this career often possess the following traits:

•Good in math and science, particularly algebra, geometry, statistics, chemistry, biology, and physics
•Detail-oriented
•Thorough
•Organized
•Excellent writing skills
•Excellent spelling and grammar skills
•Logical
•Analytical
•Excellent communication skills
•Punctual
•Excellent computer literacy skills
•Able to work as part of a team
•Precise

Alternate careers:

•Bailiff
•Correctional Officer
•Correctional Treatment Specialists
•Court Reporter
•Criminalist
•Forensic Science Photographer
•Forensic Science Psychiatrist
•Forensic Science Psychologist
•Forensic Science Technician
•Highway Patrol Officer
•Judge
•Law Librarian
•Lawyer
•Legal Researcher
•Legal Secretary
•Paralegal
•Paramedic
•Parole Officer
•Police Officer
•Political Scientist
•Probation Officer
•State Legislator
•Victim Advocate

Marnie Winters
Administrator

Posts: 185

Career Spotlight Dec 30, 2017 11:22:30 GMT

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Post by Marnie Winters on Dec 30, 2017 11:22:30 GMT

What is the difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist?

I will be addressing each of these careers in the career spotlight and provide valuable information such as a job description, median salary information, future outlook, and so forth, but I wanted to also make sure to inform readers of the specific differences between these two professions because they can appear so similar on the surface. With that being said, here are the differences:

1. The education: A psychiatrist first completes a bachelor's degree and then completes a medical degree. They are considered physicians (doctors). When completing their medical degree, they complete the same training, hospital rotations, and hospital clinicals that all other physicians (doctors) complete. A psychologist first completes a bachelor's degree, then completes a master's degree and/or a doctorate in psychology. They are not considered physicians (doctors). They do not receive medical training, hospital rotations or hospital clinicals.

2. Ability to write prescriptions: A psychiatrist is able to write prescriptions for people, in order to help their patients with mental illnesses or disorders. They have the ability to write prescriptions since they are physicians. A psychologist does not have the ability to write prescriptions. The ability to write prescriptions in any state is reserved for only a few select healthcare professionals, and a psychologist is not one of those selected healthcare physicians. If a mental health patient needs medications for their healthcare illness or disorder, they will need to be under the care of a psychiatrist.

3. Hospital admitting privileges: Almost all psychiatrists have hospital admitting privileges, since they are physicians. This means that if a mental health patient needs to be admitted to the hospital specifically to treat mental health issues, the psychiatrist can be the medical professional assigned to oversee the care for the patient for the duration of their stay in the medical facility. Psychologists do not have hospital admitting privileges in any state, since they are not physicians. If a mental health patient needs to be admitted to the hospital to specifically treat mental health issues, they will be assigned to a psychiatrist for the duration of their stay, even if they routinely see a psychologist when they are not hospitalized. The psychologist will not be permitted to oversee the care of any mental health patient while they are specifically in the hospital.

4. Severity of mental health issues: Generally, psychiatrists treat mental health disorders that are more severe and strenuous cases that those treated by a psychologist. A psychiatrist treats those people with serious mental health issues and mental health issues that require medications to regulate and manage the illness or disease, and treats issues such as schizophrenia, paranoid disorders, bipolar disorder, severs depressive episodes, Bulimia Nervosa, Anorexia Nervosa, and suicidal tendencies. A psychologist often treats patients who do not require medication to monitor their mental health issues and those conditions and illnesses that are considered non-serious. Examples of these illnesses and conditions include mild depression, married couples who want therapy in order to help resolve conflicts within the marriage, children who are having social adjustment issues, those individuals of any age who have anxiety or stress issues, seasonal affective disorder, and those who suffer from attention deficit disorder.

5. Professional license: Psychiatrists and psychologists hold different professional licenses. A psychiatrist holds a medical license through the medical board in the state in which they work. It is the same license that other medical doctors and surgeons possess. A psychologist holds a license through the psychology board in the state in which they work. The differences between the two licenses includes: educational differences, hospital admitting privilege differences, and prescriptions writing privilege differences (see above for explanations).

The overall basic goals of a psychiatrist and psychologist are the same-to help people with mental health conditions and illnesses overcome obstacles and challenges to live as normal of a life as possible, to be as fully functioning in society as possible, and to help people live as enjoyable of a life as possible. Both professionals can make a mental health diagnosis, create a proper treatment plan for the individual, and provide counseling and therapy sessions to help people with mental health conditions and illnesses live in as barrier-free a world as possible. Psychologists may refer people with mental health conditions and illnesses to a psychiatrist for reasons such as medication management, admittance to a hospital, or for further diagnosis assistance. Psychiatrists often consult with the referring psychologist and request the existing file, ask questions about past treatments and the results, and ask about behaviors and other factors leading to the current diagnosis. They often work together to help a person with mental health conditions and illnesses overcome their barriers.

Marnie Winters
Administrator

Posts: 185

Career Spotlight Dec 30, 2017 11:24:57 GMT

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Post by Marnie Winters on Dec 30, 2017 11:24:57 GMT

Career Spotlight: Psychiatrist

Job description:

Psychiatrists are physicians who treat patients with mental, behavioral, or emotional disorders. Psychiatrists meet with patients, take patient histories, conduct a medical assessment, order tests and procedures, interpret the results of the tests and procedures, create treatment plans, and write prescriptions. Psychiatrists conduct mental examinations and assessments on patients and, depending on the current condition of the patient, may require the patient be hospitalized for further evaluation or treatment. Many psychiatrists work for hospitals, or are granted admitting privileges through a hospital, and can be listed as the attending physician for the patient for the duration of their stay; being listed as an attending physician means that the hospital formally recognizes the psychiatrist as the primary, treating doctor for the patient for as long as they are a patient in the hospital. Psychiatrists may use a variety of tests and procedures to diagnose a condition on a patient. Psychiatrists may conduct many tests and procedures to make a diagnosis and to determine the extent to which the illness, condition, or disorder exists in the patient. If the patients are mentally able to handle a conversation, is coherent, and understands what is happening, a psychiatrist will discuss the diagnosis and treatment plan with the patient; otherwise, the psychiatrist will be discussing this information with the patient's immediate family members or legal guardians. Some psychiatrists research psychiatric illnesses, conditions, and disorders. They conduct experiments, write research papers and summaries on their findings, share these findings at conferences, and publish articles and papers in medical journals or periodicals. Some research psychiatrists will work for colleges and universities conduct research for these institutions; in addition, these psychiatrists may also have teaching responsibilities. They prepare lesson plans, assign homework, lecture in front of a class, and grade homework assignments and tests. Some psychiatrists may be called to court to testify on the ability of a person to withstand trial, or if a plea such as "by reason of insanity" should be considered by the court system. Psychiatrists and psychologists have similar roles, in the sense they provide medical help and assistance to those individuals who suffer from with mental, behavioral, or emotional disorders. There is a difference between a psychiatrist and a psychologist, though. First, psychiatrists are medical doctors and psychologists are not medical doctors; a psychiatrist must go to medical school, which is a doctorate level degree. Some psychologists may earn a master's degree with a major in psychology and be able to work as a psychologist; other psychologists may choose a different subspecialty that requires a doctorate degree, or the psychologist may opt to complete a doctoral level degree, even if a master's degree is sufficient to work in their industry; when choosing the major for the voluntary doctoral degree, an appropriate major to declare is psychology, and then choose whatever subspecialty you wish to pursue, if you are given the option. Second, psychiatrists have admitting privileges in hospitals. This means if a patient is in need of being admitted to the hospital because of their mental status, then the psychiatrist can be listed as their primary, attending physician, and the psychiatrist will be the responsible for providing that person's medical care. Since a psychologist has not completed medical school and is not a doctor, then they will not be able to admit a patient to the hospital. Third, since a psychiatrist is a physician, he/she is able to write prescriptions for patients. Psychologists are not permitted to write prescriptions.

Education:

A Doctor of Medicine degree is needed. This is a doctorate level degree, often called a medical degree. This means an individual will need to earn a bachelor's degree first. Good majors for the bachelor's degree includes pre-med, biology, chemistry, or physics. A bachelor's degree will take approximately four years to complete. A medical degree will take approximately four years to complete. A doctor will then need to complete an internship, a residency, and possibly a fellowship. Internships take approximately one year to complete, residencies take approximately two years to complete, and fellowships take approximately two to three years to complete. Total, it can take up to approximately 14 years to complete the education and training needed to be a doctor.

License and/or certification needed:

All psychiatrists will be required to be licensed through the medical board in the state where they intend to work. This means a test will need to be taken and successfully passed. Eligibility requirements to take the exam will vary from state to state will vary, so individuals will need to plan to check the eligibility requirements for the state where they want to work, prior to registering to take the exam.

The American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABPN) offers board certification for psychiatrists. Many subspecialty certifications are offered, also. More information can be found on ABPN's website at: www.abpn.com/become-certified/.

Working conditions:

Psychiatrists that actively treat patients work in hospitals and private offices. They spend their time meeting with patients in an office setting or in a hospital setting. They may spend their time meeting patient, actively moving, walking, standing, sitting, or talking. Psychiatrists who conduct research work for colleges and universities, governmental institutions, and private organizations. They may spend their time in an office, at a desk, and behind a computer, or working in a laboratory. Their jobs can be stressful.

Pay:

The 2016 median salary for physicians and surgeons was greater than $208,000 per year.

Future outlook:

The psychiatrist industry is projected to grow 14% through 2024, which is faster that average.

People who are successful in this career often possess the following traits:

•Good in subjects such as math and science, particularly anatomy and physiology, chemistry, and biology
•Likes helping people
•Punctual
•Good at taking notes
•Computer literate
•Able to work independently or with a team of professionals
•Able to remain calm under stressful circumstances
•Good listener
•Detail-oriented
•Thorough
•Good communication skills

Alternative careers:

•Behavioral disorder counselor
•Child psychologist
•Child, family, and school social worker
•Clinical psychologist
•Cognitive psychologist
•Dental hygienist
•Developmental psychologist
•Domestic violence counselor
•Drug abuse counselor
•Forensic psychiatrist
•Forensic psychologist
•Licensed practical nurse (LPN)
•Marriage and family counselor
•Mental health counselor
•Ophthalmologist
•Personality psychologist
•Pharmacist
•Pharmacy Technician
•Physician or surgeon (MD)
•Psychologist
•Radiology Technologist
•Registered nurse (RN)
•Respiratory Therapist
•School guidance counselor
•School psychologist
•Social psychologist
•Social worker
•Surgical technologist
•Veterinarian
•Veterinary Technologist

Marnie Winters
Administrator

Posts: 185

Career Spotlight Dec 30, 2017 11:27:16 GMT

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Post by Marnie Winters on Dec 30, 2017 11:27:16 GMT

Career Spotlight: Psychologist

Job description:

Psychologists are professionals who patients with mental, behavioral, or emotional disorders. Their primary purpose is to help a patient modify their behavior to improve personal, social, and vocational adjustment. They meet with patients, take patient histories, conduct mental examinations, make diagnoses, create treatment plans, and monitor a patient's condition and mental health status. The types of patients and conditions that psychologists work with includes stress, substance abuse, and family situations. When a psychologist meets with a patient for the first time, he/she will conduct an assessment, take a patient history, conduct tests and procedures, interpret the results of the tests and patients, and making a diagnosis for the patient. Some examples of some of the tests that psychologists conduct includes intelligence (IQ) tests, achievements tests, interest tests, and personality tests. Some of the activities that may be included in the treatment plan of a patient includes psychotherapy, hypnosis, behavior modification, stress reduction therapy, psychodrama, and play therapy. Depending on the mental state of the patient, the psychologist may need to refer the patient to a psychiatrist, or they may need to refer the patient to other medical professionals for further assistance. Psychologists will develop a treatment plan for the patient; they will identify the diagnosis, identify the goals and objectives, identify the steps that need to be taken to reach the goals and objectives, and they will make notes during and after every session with the patient, to track the patient's progress with the treatment plan. The treatment plan will identify the types of treatment that need to be taken, frequency, intensity, and duration of therapy. Psychologists will gain information about a person's condition by observing and interviewing them. They interview patients on every meeting or appointment and identify psychological, emotional, or behavioral issues. The psychologist will ask questions and listen to the answers, and watch a person's body language to get more information about how they are progressing. They may observe a patient's behavior in group settings, to identify how they interact and behave in social or group settings. When creating a treatment plan, the psychologist may have the patient help them. They may suggest steps, procedures, treatments, or activities a patient can do and ask if the patient can commit to that particular step. Psychologists and psychiatrists have very similar roles, however, there are some differences between these professionals. First, psychiatrists are medical doctors and psychologists are not medical doctors; a psychiatrist must go to medical school, which is a doctorate level degree. Some psychologists may earn a master's degree with a major in psychology and be able to work as a psychologist; other psychologists may choose a different subspecialty that requires a doctorate degree, or the psychologist may opt to complete a doctoral level degree, even if a master's degree is sufficient to work in their industry; when choosing the major for the voluntary doctoral degree, an appropriate major to declare is psychology, and then choose whatever subspecialty you wish to pursue, if you are given the option. Second, psychiatrists have admitting privileges in hospitals. This means if a patient is in need of being admitted to the hospital because of their mental status, then the psychiatrist can be listed as their primary, attending physician, and the psychiatrist will be the responsible for providing that person's medical care. Since a psychologist has not completed medical school and is not a doctor, then they will not be able to admit a patient to the hospital. Third, since a psychiatrist is a physician, he/she is able to write prescriptions for patients. Psychologists are not permitted to write prescriptions Some psychologists may be called upon to testify in regards to one of their patients. Is a person committed a crime, the psychologist may be required to meet with that person, in order to determine if the person was suffering from any type of mental illness at the time of the crime, and they may also be called upon to determine if the person is able to determine if a person is able to mentally withstand a trial, Some psychologists may conduct research. They work in an office, at a desk, and use a computer. There may be a laboratory area or facility where the psychologist may spend time, particularly if they are conducting experiments. When conducting experiments, the psychologist may set the hypothesis, set the parameters for the exam, assign duties to laboratory technicians and assistants, and writing reports at the end of the experiment, in order to summarize the findings and results of the experiment. If conducting research for a college or university, the psychologist may be assigned teaching duties. Then, the psychologist will need to prepare lesson plans, lecture in front of a class, assign homework, and grade homework assignments and tests.

Education:

Most states will require that anyone who has a direct interaction with people and provides any kind of psychological or counseling services, including those psychological researchers, possess a minimum of a doctorate degree. While some positions may be available with a minimum of a master's degree, many employers may require a doctorate degree, regardless of the state requirements. Many doctorate programs will require an individual to first earn the master's degree. A bachelor's degree is required for entrance into all doctorate and master's programs. The order in which to earn degrees is to earn a bachelor's degree first, earn a master's degree second, and earn a doctorate degree third. Those earning a bachelor's should choose a psychology major, those earning the master's degree and doctorate degree should choose a major in psychology. Some schools may offer specialized psychology programs at the master's and doctorate level, and the specialized psychology program may directly relate to the type of psychology an individual wants for a career. If planning a career in research, the specialized psychology programs will be a good choice for a major. If planning to work directly with people, a future psychologist may need to choose a major in clinical psychology; it will depend on the licensing requirements of the state where the psychologist is working. Individuals should plan to check the requirements of the state where they intend to work prior to choosing gradate level programs and majors.

License and/or certification needed:

All states will require a psychologist be licensed through the state where they intend to work. This means a test will need to be taken and successfully passed. Eligibility requirements to take the test will vary from state to state, so individuals should plan to check with the state where they intend to work prior to registering to take the exam, in order to make sure they have met the eligibility requirements.

In addition to obtaining a license to work as a psychologist, board certification is strongly recommended. Being board certified demonstrates your strengths and abilities as a psychologist. It shows you have a high level of knowledge and a demonstrated skill in the area of psychology. Obtaining this certification, and any other psychologist-related certifications can be extremely beneficial. Possessing these optional certifications can open career doors, can help a person get a raise, and can help a person get a promotion.

The American Board of Professional Psychology (ABBP) offers board certification in many specialty psychology certifications. Board certification is available to individuals who possess a doctoral degree. More information can be found on the ABBP website at: www.abpp.org/i4a/pages/index.cfm?pageid=3351.

Working conditions:

Psychologists work for a variety of organizations. They may work in private or public school systems as school psychologists or guidance counselors. They may work in organizations (typically larger organizations) as an industrial psychologist. They may work as a marriage counselor or a family therapist. They may work with children who have behavioral issues or may be under severe stress as a result of an accident or tragedy, the divorce of parents, or the death of a close family member. These psychologists may spend a lot of time sitting and talking to people, taking notes, and working at a desk with a computer. They work primarily daytime hours during the workweek, but may work evenings or weekends, in order to meet the schedules of their patients. Research psychologists work in laboratories and offices. They may work for colleges and universities, governmental organizations, and private organizations. They may spend long periods in a sitting position and using a computer.

Pay:

The 2016 median salary for a psychologist was $75,230 per year.

Future outlook:

The psychologist industry is projected to grow 18% through 2024, which is faster than average.

People who are successful in this career often possess the following traits:

•Good in subjects such as math and science, particularly anatomy and physiology, chemistry, and biology
•Likes helping people
•Good at taking notes
•Computer literate
•Able to work independently or with a team of professionals
•Able to remain calm under stressful circumstances
•Good listener
•Detail-oriented
•Thorough
•Good communication skills
•Punctual

Alternative careers:

•Behavioral disorder counselor
•Child psychiatrist
•Child, family, and school social worker
•Clinical psychologist
•Cognitive psychologist
•Dental hygienist
•Developmental psychologist
•Domestic violence counselor
•Drug abuse counselor
•Forensic psychiatrist
•Forensic psychologist
•Licensed practical nurse (LPN)
•Marriage and family counselor
•Mental health counselor
•Ophthalmologist
•Personality psychologist
•Pharmacist
•Pharmacy Technician
•Physician or surgeon (MD)
•Psychologist
•Radiology Technologist
•Registered nurse (RN)
•Respiratory Therapist
•School guidance counselor
•School psychologist
•Social psychologist
•Social worker
•Surgical technologist
•Veterinarian
•Veterinary Technologist

Finding My Path: College and Career Coaching

Career Spotlight

Post by Marnie Winters on Dec 28, 2017 14:02:03 GMT

Post by Marnie Winters on Dec 30, 2017 11:22:30 GMT

Post by Marnie Winters on Dec 30, 2017 11:24:57 GMT

Post by Marnie Winters on Dec 30, 2017 11:27:16 GMT

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