Jake Byma
Seasons Center
4/6-4/10
Hours Worked: 9
1. On Monday this week I came in to do some observation. It was pretty interesting. This was the first day of testing for a new client, so both Trevor and I didn't really know what to expect with mannerisms and behaviors. While he was doing the testing I had the opportunity to read over the client's file from the intake interview with her mother as well as reports from school teachers about behaviors. It was pretty eye opening. Without going into too much detail I would not have expected the kinds of behaviors from that young girl that were in her report from just observing her in testing. Pretty much all the testing we did I have already seen, so nothing was terribly new. On Tuesday I had an interview with Seasons in Spencer. I drove after lunch for an interview with Dr. Sandbulte and Dr. Matthews. It wasn't exactly as I was expecting. The first couple questions were interview-y but after that it was much more conversational--i.e. talking about some specifics if I would get the job. It made it seem like they were leaning towards hiring me (although I could be completely wrong). Friday I came in for a little paperwork and practicing of giving some tests. He had me take home some manuals over the weekend to read over.
2. I felt pretty good about this week. I think I could be able to give a couple of the tests and might be able to later on. I also felt confident about my job interview. It went pretty well and I felt adequately prepared. I learned a lot about job specifics-some of which were good and some of which were not as good. I will hear back later this week if I got the job or not. I'm hopeful. It'd be a great opportunity and great for a resume. The pay isn't the greatest but the benefits are pretty nice. I'll have a lot to think about in the next few weeks.
3. The only real question/problem is more personal of having to deal with and wrestle with if I want this job and how that will all shake out.
4. How would everyone rate their experience this semester?
Sunday, April 12, 2015
Monday, March 30, 2015
Post 8
Jake Byma
Seasons Center
3/23-3/27
12 hours
1. Monday was a pretty typical day. I actually got to do some observation, which was nice. The difference was that I got to do observation of adult testing. The client that came in was 21 years old. It made things a little different seeing someone by own age being tested. I later had to read his case file and made me realize how much I take for granted how easy my life has been so far. It was interesting to see some different tests being given instead of the usual ones I see for children. We got done with observation a little early so we did some scoring as well. Also, Dr. Matthews (Trevor's supervisor) asked me about applying for the open psychometrician job and seemed interested in me applying for the job. Tuesday was another scoring day. We did a lot of scoring in the morning. After my class/lunch break I came back to find I was going to learn how to write case reports. This was probably my best learning opportunity. I was able to go through a client file and piece together pieces of a puzzle and write out a client's medical, social, psychological, etc. history. If I work there in the future, then this will be a big part of my job. It was nice to start learning how to do that. I also learned how to score the WIAT, something we've been putting off for awhile. This test involves a writing section that is a pain to grade, which is why we've put it off for so long. I kind of learned that one on my own because it is easier to learn yourself instead of being taught. Trevor went over my work with me just to help me and give me pointers after. I didn't have class Friday, so I went it and got almost 5 hours or so doing more scoring.
2. It was maybe my best week yet. I did a lot of good work for the company. We are ahead on our scoring right now (I think). And I am learning things that can help me get started quickly if I would get a job there. Trevor has been very helpful teaching me things and also giving me advice about jobs/grad school/the future. I am very appreciative of all he's done. I have a lot to think about in the next few weeks about my future and if I want to work there for a few years.
3. My only real problem was that is was difficult to learn the WIAT at first. It is just a slow, arduous process to learn all the grammar rules and what is expected or not for people on this section. It takes awhile to learn so that was a tad frustrating.
4. Nothing I can think of.
Seasons Center
3/23-3/27
12 hours
1. Monday was a pretty typical day. I actually got to do some observation, which was nice. The difference was that I got to do observation of adult testing. The client that came in was 21 years old. It made things a little different seeing someone by own age being tested. I later had to read his case file and made me realize how much I take for granted how easy my life has been so far. It was interesting to see some different tests being given instead of the usual ones I see for children. We got done with observation a little early so we did some scoring as well. Also, Dr. Matthews (Trevor's supervisor) asked me about applying for the open psychometrician job and seemed interested in me applying for the job. Tuesday was another scoring day. We did a lot of scoring in the morning. After my class/lunch break I came back to find I was going to learn how to write case reports. This was probably my best learning opportunity. I was able to go through a client file and piece together pieces of a puzzle and write out a client's medical, social, psychological, etc. history. If I work there in the future, then this will be a big part of my job. It was nice to start learning how to do that. I also learned how to score the WIAT, something we've been putting off for awhile. This test involves a writing section that is a pain to grade, which is why we've put it off for so long. I kind of learned that one on my own because it is easier to learn yourself instead of being taught. Trevor went over my work with me just to help me and give me pointers after. I didn't have class Friday, so I went it and got almost 5 hours or so doing more scoring.
2. It was maybe my best week yet. I did a lot of good work for the company. We are ahead on our scoring right now (I think). And I am learning things that can help me get started quickly if I would get a job there. Trevor has been very helpful teaching me things and also giving me advice about jobs/grad school/the future. I am very appreciative of all he's done. I have a lot to think about in the next few weeks about my future and if I want to work there for a few years.
3. My only real problem was that is was difficult to learn the WIAT at first. It is just a slow, arduous process to learn all the grammar rules and what is expected or not for people on this section. It takes awhile to learn so that was a tad frustrating.
4. Nothing I can think of.
Tuesday, March 24, 2015
Blog Number 7
Jake Byma
Seasons Center
3/16-3/20
6 hours
1. This week was a shorter week. I was not able to work Monday because I was still coming back from Spring Break. On Tuesday we got right back into scoring. I came in before class for a couple hours of scoring. After class I came back for a few more hours of scoring. I also packed a few case files and copied some files into the database. There was not really that important of a learning experience this week. I was supposed to come in for a few hours on Friday but Trevor texted me that he didn't have anything for me to do so I could take the rest of the afternoon off.
2. I feel good about the work I am doing. I know that it is not the most difficult work and that there are countless people competent enough to do it. But being able to help is really nice. Trevor and I also had a talk for awhile on Tuesday about if I would think about staying on after I graduate and how that whole process would go. I will admit it is not my ideal work place/type of work but it is a job and could open some doors for me in the future.
3. The only real problems that I encountered were more from personal reflection and thinking about if I would want to work there. The way Trevor explained it to me, it seems like my contract would be based out of Storm Lake or Spencer. But I would spend 3 days a week in Sioux Center. Because my contract is out of one of those other locations, I would not be refunded for my gas money when traveling there and back the two days I would need to. He said that trek out there can be a negative and he wouldn't paint the picture rosier than it actually was. Maybe I could use expert negotiation tactics to see if they could work something out for me that way. Trevor also mentioned something about loan repayment so that could be a huge plus for this job. He encouraged me to apply, and I ended up doing so that Saturday morning.
4. I want to know how much personal information everyone learns/reads in case files and how they deal with disturbing information or if they just brush it off as nothing.
Seasons Center
3/16-3/20
6 hours
1. This week was a shorter week. I was not able to work Monday because I was still coming back from Spring Break. On Tuesday we got right back into scoring. I came in before class for a couple hours of scoring. After class I came back for a few more hours of scoring. I also packed a few case files and copied some files into the database. There was not really that important of a learning experience this week. I was supposed to come in for a few hours on Friday but Trevor texted me that he didn't have anything for me to do so I could take the rest of the afternoon off.
2. I feel good about the work I am doing. I know that it is not the most difficult work and that there are countless people competent enough to do it. But being able to help is really nice. Trevor and I also had a talk for awhile on Tuesday about if I would think about staying on after I graduate and how that whole process would go. I will admit it is not my ideal work place/type of work but it is a job and could open some doors for me in the future.
3. The only real problems that I encountered were more from personal reflection and thinking about if I would want to work there. The way Trevor explained it to me, it seems like my contract would be based out of Storm Lake or Spencer. But I would spend 3 days a week in Sioux Center. Because my contract is out of one of those other locations, I would not be refunded for my gas money when traveling there and back the two days I would need to. He said that trek out there can be a negative and he wouldn't paint the picture rosier than it actually was. Maybe I could use expert negotiation tactics to see if they could work something out for me that way. Trevor also mentioned something about loan repayment so that could be a huge plus for this job. He encouraged me to apply, and I ended up doing so that Saturday morning.
4. I want to know how much personal information everyone learns/reads in case files and how they deal with disturbing information or if they just brush it off as nothing.
Friday, March 6, 2015
Post 6
Jake Byma
Seasons Center
3/2-3/6
Hours: 6
1. This week was a nice week because I got to do some observation actually. One of the things that I noticed is that when I client comes in Trevor checks in with a parent to see if the child is on or off medication. This changes what tests exactly he wants to do that day. Certain tests don't matter as much. Others, however, need the child to be completely off of medication to work the best. This child that came in was on medication, something Trevor was hoping wouldn't happen. He was hoping to do some different tests for me but had to switch it up and show me the tests I've already seen before. The cool thing that happened, though, was Dr. Matthews joined us briefly to do the ADOS 2 test. I had never seen this test performed and it was fascinating. She does the test with Trevor in the room so that Trevor can sit in the back and take notes of virtually everything the client says. It is a cool test because it does not have typical test format. It is disguised in playing games and telling stories with a child. The real test comes from the analysis of what the child says and what it means. I really liked getting to observe that. Tuesday was another scoring day. I came in for a couple hours to score some things in the morning. During class Trevor texted me to tell me I could come in a little later and cut out early because we're starting to get ahead of the curve now, something he is really grateful for.
2. I really liked this week even though it was a bit shorter on hours. It was intriguing to see the ADOS 2 performed and may have started to push me more in a direction that I could see myself doing some of this in the future. I also enjoyed seeing Trevor get excited to finally be ahead of the curve. In the past he has mentioned how he has been putting in longer hours than he'd like and has to pick up slack because of the unique situation they are in staff-wise right now. It is cool to make things better for them. It has also been enjoyable to hear about his grad school search process and glean some tips from him. We were talking and another worker told him to hush up about all the great grad schools out there in front of me because they didn't want to lose a possible future worker. I know she was joking but it makes me wonder if maybe they would think about hiring me after graduation.
3. The only real problem I have is seeing the same tests over and over during observation. It would be nice to observe something different but I can only see what they have available. It was nice to see the ADOS 2.
4. How does everyone else feel like they fit in where they work?
Seasons Center
3/2-3/6
Hours: 6
1. This week was a nice week because I got to do some observation actually. One of the things that I noticed is that when I client comes in Trevor checks in with a parent to see if the child is on or off medication. This changes what tests exactly he wants to do that day. Certain tests don't matter as much. Others, however, need the child to be completely off of medication to work the best. This child that came in was on medication, something Trevor was hoping wouldn't happen. He was hoping to do some different tests for me but had to switch it up and show me the tests I've already seen before. The cool thing that happened, though, was Dr. Matthews joined us briefly to do the ADOS 2 test. I had never seen this test performed and it was fascinating. She does the test with Trevor in the room so that Trevor can sit in the back and take notes of virtually everything the client says. It is a cool test because it does not have typical test format. It is disguised in playing games and telling stories with a child. The real test comes from the analysis of what the child says and what it means. I really liked getting to observe that. Tuesday was another scoring day. I came in for a couple hours to score some things in the morning. During class Trevor texted me to tell me I could come in a little later and cut out early because we're starting to get ahead of the curve now, something he is really grateful for.
2. I really liked this week even though it was a bit shorter on hours. It was intriguing to see the ADOS 2 performed and may have started to push me more in a direction that I could see myself doing some of this in the future. I also enjoyed seeing Trevor get excited to finally be ahead of the curve. In the past he has mentioned how he has been putting in longer hours than he'd like and has to pick up slack because of the unique situation they are in staff-wise right now. It is cool to make things better for them. It has also been enjoyable to hear about his grad school search process and glean some tips from him. We were talking and another worker told him to hush up about all the great grad schools out there in front of me because they didn't want to lose a possible future worker. I know she was joking but it makes me wonder if maybe they would think about hiring me after graduation.
3. The only real problem I have is seeing the same tests over and over during observation. It would be nice to observe something different but I can only see what they have available. It was nice to see the ADOS 2.
4. How does everyone else feel like they fit in where they work?
Monday, March 2, 2015
Post 5
Jake Byma
Seasons Center
2/23-2/27
Hours Worked: 10
1. This week was very similar to pretty much every other week. I am assuming from here on out they will all be pretty similar. I was supposed to observe Monday, but a client canceled. We just scored instead. Things are getting a lot easier with scoring now that I now the fast way to score with Excel. I was a bit frustrated to find out how much easier and efficient it can be. But I also try to realize it was better for me to learn the long way first. That way if something goes wrong with the spreadsheet or things aren't working and I can't find out what I did wrong, I can still score it long-hand if needed. But it would have been nice to know how to do it quicker sooner. Oh well. Tuesday was another scoring day. We had some breakthrough on some bonding that day. Trevor felt comfortable enough with me that afternoon to turn up his Pandora. We shared that bond of music while scoring together. I'll keep you posted on the status of this possible future best-friendship. Friday I did some new things. I was shown how to operate the scanner. Exciting! It wasn't that bad. I can scan things into the computer and email them to both Trevors. They can then take that information to write case reports when they are on the road. Most important learning opportunity-definitely the scanner. Sad to say, but it was the scanner.
2. I am starting to feel like I'm actually making a positive difference. It is nice to do something that I know will benefit the company as a whole even if it seems very basic. From what Trevor has said things have been a bit hectic for him in the other Trevor transition and this is a nice way to ease that for them. This experience is starting to change me in a way to where I have to think about if this is something that maybe I could see myself doing for a couple years after graduation.
3. I don't know if I experienced any challenges this week. I'm starting to have some questions about the company as a whole. Where is it headed if it is in a high-need area with some serious spacing issues in Sioux Center? Do they see growth in an organization that is based in an area that is hard to keep people in? What can they offer to entice people to stay with them?
4. How redundant is the work everyone else does? Mine can get a bit redundant at times. I was just seeing if other people are the same or are in positions where things are very different each and every day.
Seasons Center
2/23-2/27
Hours Worked: 10
1. This week was very similar to pretty much every other week. I am assuming from here on out they will all be pretty similar. I was supposed to observe Monday, but a client canceled. We just scored instead. Things are getting a lot easier with scoring now that I now the fast way to score with Excel. I was a bit frustrated to find out how much easier and efficient it can be. But I also try to realize it was better for me to learn the long way first. That way if something goes wrong with the spreadsheet or things aren't working and I can't find out what I did wrong, I can still score it long-hand if needed. But it would have been nice to know how to do it quicker sooner. Oh well. Tuesday was another scoring day. We had some breakthrough on some bonding that day. Trevor felt comfortable enough with me that afternoon to turn up his Pandora. We shared that bond of music while scoring together. I'll keep you posted on the status of this possible future best-friendship. Friday I did some new things. I was shown how to operate the scanner. Exciting! It wasn't that bad. I can scan things into the computer and email them to both Trevors. They can then take that information to write case reports when they are on the road. Most important learning opportunity-definitely the scanner. Sad to say, but it was the scanner.
2. I am starting to feel like I'm actually making a positive difference. It is nice to do something that I know will benefit the company as a whole even if it seems very basic. From what Trevor has said things have been a bit hectic for him in the other Trevor transition and this is a nice way to ease that for them. This experience is starting to change me in a way to where I have to think about if this is something that maybe I could see myself doing for a couple years after graduation.
3. I don't know if I experienced any challenges this week. I'm starting to have some questions about the company as a whole. Where is it headed if it is in a high-need area with some serious spacing issues in Sioux Center? Do they see growth in an organization that is based in an area that is hard to keep people in? What can they offer to entice people to stay with them?
4. How redundant is the work everyone else does? Mine can get a bit redundant at times. I was just seeing if other people are the same or are in positions where things are very different each and every day.
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
Post #4
Jake Byma
Seasons Center
2/16-2/20
7.5 hours worked
1. Well, what I did this week was fairly typical of any other week. On Monday I went in to do some observation hours. Thankfully, there were no cancellations this week. I observed a 13 year old male go through some tests. It was fairly obvious he had troubles concentrating and sitting still. The tests also took a bit of time because one of the subtests has the subject read a passage and then answer some questions. The subject has an unlimited amount of time to answer. And this client took a long time to read. Also, he had about a 275 T/F questionnaire to fill out that took him a very long time. Tuesday was basically a grading day the whole time. I cam in before my class to grade a few tests and then after class came back to grade some more tests. We also started working on how to score one of the tests on the computer which saves a bunch of time. Trevor also showed me a bit more on entering scores into spreadsheets for client case files.
2. The days actually go by a lot quicker than one would imagine. I felt like 5 hours of grading tests on Tuesdays would really drag on but it isn't that horrible. You stay pretty distracted adding everything and cross-checking charts to think about how remedial everything gets. I am also starting to get more efficient at grading the tests. I still try to take my time so that I don't mess up. I wonder how much slower I am at grading tests than Trevor. I am really grateful though with how patient Trevor has been with me. He is more than willing to answer questions I have about things he probably has answered for me two or three times. He is also very happy to take time to teach me how to do everything properly because that means he saves time later on with me grading tests that he won't have to.
3. I always feel a bit embarrassed when I make a minor mistake, like adding up numbers wrong or looking at the wrong row/column in a chart and writing the wrong number down as a result. But Trevor has been very gracious with correcting me on those mistakes. I'm also curious how they company is going to deal with their spacing issues (a very cramped Sioux Center office) and understaffing in the psychometrics department with increasing demand and the possibility of testers leaving.
4. A proper way to bring up that I would be interested in staying on after graduation if they would have me. I am not sure how to get that conversation started and not seem pushy or assume they would want to hire me or interview me.
Seasons Center
2/16-2/20
7.5 hours worked
1. Well, what I did this week was fairly typical of any other week. On Monday I went in to do some observation hours. Thankfully, there were no cancellations this week. I observed a 13 year old male go through some tests. It was fairly obvious he had troubles concentrating and sitting still. The tests also took a bit of time because one of the subtests has the subject read a passage and then answer some questions. The subject has an unlimited amount of time to answer. And this client took a long time to read. Also, he had about a 275 T/F questionnaire to fill out that took him a very long time. Tuesday was basically a grading day the whole time. I cam in before my class to grade a few tests and then after class came back to grade some more tests. We also started working on how to score one of the tests on the computer which saves a bunch of time. Trevor also showed me a bit more on entering scores into spreadsheets for client case files.
2. The days actually go by a lot quicker than one would imagine. I felt like 5 hours of grading tests on Tuesdays would really drag on but it isn't that horrible. You stay pretty distracted adding everything and cross-checking charts to think about how remedial everything gets. I am also starting to get more efficient at grading the tests. I still try to take my time so that I don't mess up. I wonder how much slower I am at grading tests than Trevor. I am really grateful though with how patient Trevor has been with me. He is more than willing to answer questions I have about things he probably has answered for me two or three times. He is also very happy to take time to teach me how to do everything properly because that means he saves time later on with me grading tests that he won't have to.
3. I always feel a bit embarrassed when I make a minor mistake, like adding up numbers wrong or looking at the wrong row/column in a chart and writing the wrong number down as a result. But Trevor has been very gracious with correcting me on those mistakes. I'm also curious how they company is going to deal with their spacing issues (a very cramped Sioux Center office) and understaffing in the psychometrics department with increasing demand and the possibility of testers leaving.
4. A proper way to bring up that I would be interested in staying on after graduation if they would have me. I am not sure how to get that conversation started and not seem pushy or assume they would want to hire me or interview me.
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
Field Experience 3
Jake Byma
Seasons Center for Behavioral Health
2/9-2/13
8 hours
1. This week brought some actual observation, which was pretty cool. It was interesting to actually see two of the tests I have been grading for awhile put into practice. We had an 8 year old girl come in to test and I observed about an hour and a half of testing. She had a totally different dynamic during the test and post-test. During the test she was very quiet and started to get frustrated and shut down. After the test, however, she became a little chatterbox. We spent a little time afterwards discussing how things went, some of the patient's background, why the company only uses certain subtests from the whole test and what they are looking for, etc. After that I spent a little time packing some test files for future testing that needs to be done. On Tuesday I went into the office in the morning to grade a couple different tests before heading to class. After class and lunch I came back and was taught the rest of the tests that they use in their testing. They aren't actually that difficult to pick up and are pretty easy to grade after a week or so. I am about 98% ready to score a full battery if they need. Trevor also showed me how to find test scores in their computer manuals instead of looking them up in the appendixes of the books all the time. The most important learning opportunity was definitely observing a test. It let me see what I have been scoring in action, which makes a huge difference.
2. I got pretty excited to see an actual test for once. It is frustrating at the same time because you want the child to score as high as possible but you can't help them out at all. I also feel like I am doing a lot of positive work for the company, which is a nice little boost. Trevor has remarked several times to the other employees (and to me as well) how nice it is to have someone else around and someone that is saving him time and work so that he can concentrate on other things.
3. One thing that wasn't really a problem but caught me off guard and left me without something to say was when an employee asked if I would be staying on once the Trevors left for grad school. I kind of just joked about how they might keep me if I didn't mess up too much but wasn't entirely sure what to say.
4. How does everyone else feel about the work they are doing? Is it worthwhile or more just busy work from the company?
Seasons Center for Behavioral Health
2/9-2/13
8 hours
1. This week brought some actual observation, which was pretty cool. It was interesting to actually see two of the tests I have been grading for awhile put into practice. We had an 8 year old girl come in to test and I observed about an hour and a half of testing. She had a totally different dynamic during the test and post-test. During the test she was very quiet and started to get frustrated and shut down. After the test, however, she became a little chatterbox. We spent a little time afterwards discussing how things went, some of the patient's background, why the company only uses certain subtests from the whole test and what they are looking for, etc. After that I spent a little time packing some test files for future testing that needs to be done. On Tuesday I went into the office in the morning to grade a couple different tests before heading to class. After class and lunch I came back and was taught the rest of the tests that they use in their testing. They aren't actually that difficult to pick up and are pretty easy to grade after a week or so. I am about 98% ready to score a full battery if they need. Trevor also showed me how to find test scores in their computer manuals instead of looking them up in the appendixes of the books all the time. The most important learning opportunity was definitely observing a test. It let me see what I have been scoring in action, which makes a huge difference.
2. I got pretty excited to see an actual test for once. It is frustrating at the same time because you want the child to score as high as possible but you can't help them out at all. I also feel like I am doing a lot of positive work for the company, which is a nice little boost. Trevor has remarked several times to the other employees (and to me as well) how nice it is to have someone else around and someone that is saving him time and work so that he can concentrate on other things.
3. One thing that wasn't really a problem but caught me off guard and left me without something to say was when an employee asked if I would be staying on once the Trevors left for grad school. I kind of just joked about how they might keep me if I didn't mess up too much but wasn't entirely sure what to say.
4. How does everyone else feel about the work they are doing? Is it worthwhile or more just busy work from the company?
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