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What does an associate school psychologist do?

Updated January 8, 2025
8 min read
What does an associate school psychologist do

An Associate School Psychologist helps psychologists provide support and counseling services to students, teachers, and non-teaching staff at schools. They participate in developing programs and activities that promote emotional and mental health, conduct interviews and psychological assessments, address issues and concerns, liaise with internal and external parties, and coordinate with families and guardians. Moreover, an Associate School Psychologist may also perform administrative tasks such as handling calls and correspondence, preparing and processing documentation, and arranging meetings and appointments.

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Associate school psychologist responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real associate school psychologist resumes:

  • Lead small student groups addressing social skills, friendship-making, divorce, ADHD, organizational skills and homework completion.
  • Administer a variety of standardize psychological measures to address cognitive functioning, academic achievement, social/behavioral issues, and adaptive functioning.
  • Treat disorders including depression, anxiety, sexual abuse, PTSD.
  • Treat clients for a variety of presenting concerns including depression, anxiety, PTSD, chronic pain, and emotional regulation.
  • Document services daily and bill Medicaid for services provide.
  • Maintain documentation and Medicaid billing requirements for all student services.
  • Provide consultation regarding appropriate placement/treatment of juveniles in the DJJ system.

Associate school psychologist skills and personality traits

We calculated that 23% of Associate School Psychologists are proficient in Developmental Disabilities, Psychological Services, and Psychological Tests. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Integrity, and Observational skills.

We break down the percentage of Associate School Psychologists that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Developmental Disabilities, 23%

    Provided and coordinated psychological services for 30 children and adults with developmental disabilities, many with dual diagnosis.

  • Psychological Services, 19%

    Maintained a caseload of twenty-four females diagnosed with mental retardation while providing psychological services including behavioral management and intervention.

  • Psychological Tests, 17%

    Administered psychological tests, completed detailed reports and constructed treatment plans for inmates at a large correctional center.

  • Behavioral Health, 11%

    Applied teaching principles to course development for new employees regarding behavioral health and crisis intervention.

  • Psychological Evaluations, 9%

    Conducted psychological evaluations and provided individual and group therapy to patients in multiply disabled unit with mental retardation and mental illness.

  • Crisis Intervention, 5%

    Provided crisis intervention for out of control offenders and suicidal offenders.

Common skills that an associate school psychologist uses to do their job include "developmental disabilities," "psychological services," and "psychological tests." You can find details on the most important associate school psychologist responsibilities below.

Analytical skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for an associate school psychologist to have is analytical skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "psychologists must examine the information they collect and draw logical conclusions." Associate school psychologists often use analytical skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "reviewed behavioral plans and data collection to ensure proper completion. "

Integrity. Many associate school psychologist duties rely on integrity. "psychologists must keep patients’ problems in confidence, and patients must be able to trust psychologists’ expertise in treating sensitive problems.," so an associate school psychologist will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways associate school psychologist responsibilities rely on integrity: "collected and provided data to track the effectiveness of the school-based social worker position for the pew trust fund. "

Observational skills. associate school psychologists are also known for observational skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to associate school psychologist responsibilities, because "psychologists study attitude and behavior." An associate school psychologist resume example shows how observational skills is used in the workplace: "collected and recorded observational data related to client goals and/or behavior management"

Communication skills. A big part of what associate school psychologists do relies on "communication skills." You can see how essential it is to associate school psychologist responsibilities because "psychologists must have strong communication skills because they spend much of their time listening to and speaking with patients or describing their research." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical associate school psychologist tasks: "conducted numerous parent workshops to foster awareness of school support services, and develop effective and productive lines of communication. "

Interpersonal skills. Another crucial skill for an associate school psychologist to carry out their responsibilities is "interpersonal skills." A big part of what associate school psychologists relies on this skill, since "psychologists study and help individuals, so they must be able to work well with clients, patients, and other professionals." How this skill relates to associate school psychologist duties can be seen in an example from an associate school psychologist resume snippet: "facilitated interpersonal relational groups (goal setting, anger management, problem solving and bullying). "

Problem-solving skills. While "problem-solving skills" is last on this skills list, don't underestimate its importance to associate school psychologist responsibilities. Much of what an associate school psychologist does relies on this skill, seeing as "psychologists need problem-solving skills to collect information, design research, evaluate programs, and find treatments or solutions to mental and behavioral problems." Here is a resume example of how this skill is used in the everyday duties of associate school psychologists: "mentored 12 case managers and developed therapeutic solutions for their clients exhibiting behavioral issues. "

See the full list of associate school psychologist skills

The three companies that hire the most associate school psychologists are:

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Associate School Psychologist Resume
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Compare different associate school psychologists

Associate school psychologist vs. Educational diagnostician

School performance is assessed through surveys, students' conduct, and a curriculum check. This work is assigned to an educational diagnostician. After students' behavioral and cognitive development, they check for delays and report them to appropriate personnel. They regularly communicate with parents and guardians to appropriately manage the child. On the budgetary aspect, educational diagnosticians are also tasked to allocate money to the school's different processes, such as research and events. They record these students' milestones and report them to parents.

If we compare the average associate school psychologist annual salary with that of an educational diagnostician, we find that educational diagnosticians typically earn a $8,695 lower salary than associate school psychologists make annually.Even though associate school psychologists and educational diagnosticians are distinct careers, a few of the skills required for both jobs are similar. For example, both careers require professional development, adaptive behavior, and public schools in the day-to-day roles and responsibilities.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of an associate school psychologist are more likely to require skills like "developmental disabilities," "psychological services," "psychological tests," and "behavioral health." On the other hand, a job as an educational diagnostician requires skills like "dismissal," "test results," "state laws," and "evaluation reports." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Educational diagnosticians really shine in the government industry with an average salary of $51,946. Comparatively, associate school psychologists tend to make the most money in the health care industry with an average salary of $78,113.On average, educational diagnosticians reach higher levels of education than associate school psychologists. Educational diagnosticians are 20.7% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 8.3% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Associate school psychologist vs. School psychological examiner

A school psychological examiner specializes in assessing the students' and faculty's psychological health. Among their responsibilities include conducting interviews and evaluations, performing background checks, addressing concerns, answering inquiries, and providing psychological support to students, faculty, and school staff. They may also respond to crises, conduct interventions, maintain records, and refer clients to other services as necessary. Moreover, a school psychological examiner must coordinate with other professionals in addressing psychological issues and concerns, resolving situations to maintain a safe and healthy learning environment for everyone.

On average, school psychological examiners earn a $10,218 higher salary than associate school psychologists a year.Only some things about these jobs are the same. Take their skills, for example. Associate school psychologists and school psychological examiners both require similar skills like "developmental disabilities," "psychological evaluations," and "crisis intervention" to carry out their responsibilities.

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, associate school psychologist responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "psychological services," "psychological tests," "behavioral health," and "substance abuse." Meanwhile, a school psychological examiner has duties that require skills in areas such as "k-12," "adaptive," "assessment measures," and "cognitive behavioral." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

School psychological examiners earn a higher average salary than associate school psychologists. But school psychological examiners earn the highest pay in the health care industry, with an average salary of $71,896. Additionally, associate school psychologists earn the highest salaries in the health care with average pay of $78,113 annually.school psychological examiners earn higher levels of education than associate school psychologists in general. They're 5.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 8.3% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Associate school psychologist vs. Clinical psychologist

A clinical psychologist is a healthcare professional who treats patients with various mental disorders through one-on-one or group settings. Clinical psychologists assist their patients in identifying their psychological, emotional, or behavioral issues so that a plan of action is created to help patients achieve personal and social development. To create a patient treatment plan, clinical psychologists must interview their patients who have different mental problems. They also collaborate with professionals such as social workers, nurses, and occupational therapists to provide the right treatment to their patients.

An average clinical psychologist eans a higher salary compared to the average salary of associate school psychologists. The difference in salaries amounts to clinical psychologists earning a $20,977 higher average salary than associate school psychologists.By looking over several associate school psychologists and clinical psychologists resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "developmental disabilities," "psychological services," and "psychological tests." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, associate school psychologists are more likely to have skills like "behavioral health," "intellectual disabilities," "behavioral disorders," and "mental health treatment." But a clinical psychologist is more likely to have skills like "patients," "rehabilitation," "clinical psychology," and "group therapy."

Clinical psychologists make a very good living in the government industry with an average annual salary of $95,054. On the other hand, associate school psychologists are paid the highest salary in the health care industry, with average annual pay of $78,113.Most clinical psychologists achieve a lower degree level compared to associate school psychologists. For example, they're 11.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 25.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Associate school psychologist vs. School psychology specialist

School Psychology Specialists support a students' ability to find out and teachers' ability to show. These specialists apply their expertise in learning mental health and behavior, as well as emotions. They partner with teachers, school administrators, and family to create a safe learning environment for everyone. School psychology specialists must have the skills and knowledge of family-school-community collaboration, school-wide practices to promote learning, and diversity in development and learning. They may provide services in preschools, school-based health and mental health centers, and universities.

School psychology specialists tend to earn a lower pay than associate school psychologists by an average of $34,987 per year.While both associate school psychologists and school psychology specialists complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like crisis intervention, data collection, and classroom management, the two careers vary in some skills.

Even though a few skill sets overlap between associate school psychologists and school psychology specialists, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, an associate school psychologist might have more use for skills like "developmental disabilities," "psychological services," "psychological tests," and "behavioral health." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of school psychology specialists require skills like "school administration," "k-12," "math," and "technical assistance. "

The professional industry tends to pay the highest salaries for school psychology specialists, with average annual pay of $40,800. Comparatively, the highest associate school psychologist annual salary comes from the health care industry.The average resume of school psychology specialists showed that they earn lower levels of education compared to associate school psychologists. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 9.8% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 7.0%.

Types of associate school psychologist

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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