Trainee Specialist Psychologist

**DYSLEXIA ASSOCIATION OF SINGAPORE**

**ORGANISATION PROFILE**

Join a rapidly growing organisation that has over 300 full time and flexi-scheme employees, and
operates from 12 centres all over in Singapore

The Dyslexia Association of Singapore (DAS) provides a continuum of services for children with
dyslexia, their parents, mainstream teachers and other professionals in the field of dyslexia in
Singapore.

**JOB DESCRIPTION**

Position Trainee Specialist Psychologist

Division/Branch SpLD Assessment Services

Be part of a team that is the leader in the assessment and diagnosis of children for dyslexia and other
specific learning differences and direct them to the necessary support and guidance that will help
them achieve their true potential in life

**Dyslexia in Singapore**
It is estimated that there may be up to 23,000 children with dyslexia in Singapore Preschools, Primary
and Secondary Schools. While the enrolment for the DAS Main Literacy Programme presently stands
at over 3,000, we are still merely touching the tip of the iceberg. There are thousands of students with
dyslexia who need to be identified and helped. The DAS is expected to expand in size and scope
correspondingly. DAS staff must therefore be prepared to adapt to the rapidly changing organisational
needs and employment conditions of the association.

**SpLD Assessment Services (SAS) Division**
The DAS SAS division conducts psychological assessments to diagnose students who have dyslexia and
other related learning difficulties. The assessments include detailed discussions with parents on the
child's learning background and assessments using psychometric test batteries. DAS Psychologists
subsequently make individualised recommendations and refer these students to the DAS Learning
Centres for remediation classes, or to other professionals for more specific assistance. Each year, over
1,000 Preschool, Primary and Secondary students are assessed by DAS Psychologists.

The **duties and responsibilities** of DAS Specialist Psychologists include:

- Selecting, administering, and scoring psychological tests.
- Compiling and interpreting students' test results, along with information from teachers and
- parents, to diagnose conditions and to help assess eligibility for special services.
- Preparing psychological reports for teachers, administrators, and parents.
- Promoting an understanding of child development and its relationship to learning and
- behaviour.
- Opportunities to provide intervention and involvement in special interest projects will be

made available following 2 years of dedicated assessment work, which includes the training
period.
- Any other duties as assigned.

**OTHER AREAS OF INVOLVEMENT**

DAS Psychologists are also actively involved in conducting awareness talks and training courses, and
participation in research projects. They have been sponsored to travel to Asia, Europe and the USA to
participate in conferences and training activities. As a not-for-profit organisation, all DAS staff
members are expected to support fundraising activities when required.

**SPONSORED TRAINING**

The DAS places great emphasis on providing professional service. To help Trainee Specialist

Psychologists develop essential skills in evaluating and assessing students to determine their learning

profile, they will undergo five weeks of intensive training. Once they start conducting assessments,

they will be provided with continued supervision and support by Registered Psychologists followed by

further training culminating in an award at a specialist diploma level (Specialist Diploma in

Psychological Assessment for Dyslexia).

The Trainee Specialist Psychologists will also attend specialist workshops and in-service training.
Further, they will be provided with opportunities to deliver intervention following two years of
assessment work. All Specialist Psychologists are encouraged to further their professional skills, and
DAS will support relevant professional development thereafter.

**4-YEAR BOND PERIOD**

In view of the investment in our Trainee Specialist Psychologist, they are required to sign a four-year
bond which includes a substantial period of training and supervision. The training for the Specialist
Diploma and other in-service trainings will be conducted during the bond period. If the Psychologist
is not able to fulfil the bond obligations, compensation to the DAS is required.

**COMPETENCIES
**Personal Competencies (Core) **: Interpersonal skills (written, spoken)
- Communication skills (written, spoken)
- Ability to work well in a team
- Positive learning attitude and pleasant
- disposition
- Dependability
- Planning and organisation

**Technical Competencies (Skills) **: Microsoft Office**
**REQUIREMENTS
**Education**:

- A good honours degree in

Psychology (or equivalent)

**Experience**:

- No prior experience is

required. Fresh
graduates are welcome
to apply.
**Other Skills & Knowledge**:

- Good command of

English
**WO