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Home > Divisions > The Division for Psychometrists and Registered Counsellor
Radical political, economic, social, demographical and technological changes within South Africa pose problems as well as challenges to all, both on a personal as well as professional level. Within a Positive Psychological framework, emphasis is placed on positive aspects that reflect the promise of improved quality of life. In order to attain this, awareness needs to be created among members of the public who make use of psychological services, especially regarding current issues surrounding the use of psychological test instruments.
It is common practice within organizations for unqualified and unregistered persons to administer, profile and report on information obtained from psychological evaluations. According to Act 56 of 1974, this practice is illegal, yet there are hardly serious implications for unregistered people involved in these acts. As a result, many qualified Psychometrists find themselves unemployable due to lack of awareness. In addition to this, individuals simply submit to being tested as they are blissfully unaware as to their rights when undertaking these evaluations. This practice needs to stop if our profession is to have the correct ethical impact for which it is meant.
In addition to this, billable hours for psychometric services are ridiculously low in comparison to the real time hours it takes to test a patient or client. It is frustrating to spend precious time scoring instruments when you are aware that you are not going to be fully reimbursed. This leaves too many windows open for abuse and unethical practice to occur.
Consultancies are springing up left, right and centre claiming to be able to offer psychometric services, thereby detracting from individuals in private practice with their interests firmly ground in pure psychology. Hundreds of "downloadable questionnaires" are available on the internet and are actually being used within companies for placement, promotion and organizational development purposes. Instruments developed according to overseas constructs are also being used which poses the question: "Whatever happened to standardization, reliability, validity and the accurate use of norms?" It is difficult enough trying to establish culture fairness when developing new instruments.
With the introduction of ICD-10 coding, psychometric testing (especially in the case of career guidance), is often no longer seen as an essential service and, in most cases, results in the use of Z codes for medical aid purposes. If expertise is being utilized, how can this possibly be declined?
There exists a need for ongoing learning opportunities for Psychometrists. In this way, resources can be pooled in order to promote better test understanding. I appeal to Psychologists in Private Practice to consider making use of Psychometrists for psychometric testing as it allows for exposure while allowing you to spend more therapy time on your patients.
It can become too easy to adopt a defeatist attitude and become passive regarding changes within our field as it is not easy to criticize if you are not involved. Psychometrists and Psychologists alike possess the ability to stand together and fight for a profession that is reputable, ethical and thus held in high regard. With every colleague with whom you discuss these issues and every acquaintance working in the corporate sector, that you educate so awareness can be created and the rights of the general public upheld.
Mr. Bridget Hunter
Convener
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