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Discussion Thread
So I got a offer from University in the area and tried to negotiate for 80k but all they can give me is 71k; I feel like this is no where near enough for the job responsibilities.
Im really thinking about turning them down let me know if im wrong. Im not hurting for the money or benefits right now and still have time for more interviews other places.
This is the job description:
Hours 8a-5p, 35 clinical hours (includes 1 hour of peer consult), 5 hours chart time
Some duties
1.Perform confidential psychological assessments in an ambulatory psychiatric care setting with a diverse population of patients.
2.Provide evidence-based, time efficient psychotherapy to a diverse population of patients in an ambulatory psychiatric care setting. Document the psychological assessment, evidence-based, time efficient treatment interventions, and treatment plans in a timely and appropriate manner, to maintain thorough records in compliance with regulatory and insurance requirements.
3.Provide case consultation and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams regarding individual patients. Provide clinical supervision to student therapists in training. This involves cultivation and development of the next generation of psychotherapists.
4.Prepare and present didactic material to colleagues and students regarding various theoretical orientations and interventions. Responsible for emotionally managing traumatic information on a daily basis. Responsible for providing resilient self-support and processing difficult information with colleagues.
5.Participate in quality improvement meetings; whereby, collaborative case conferences are presented and discussed.
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You need to consider the benefits not just the pay
35 clinical hours is way too high for a UCC. 24-26 hours is fairly standard. This is also the IACS recommendation.
That said, like others have said consider your other benefits, time off, location, etc. if it is a state school you can look up salaries to see if your offer is in line with others doing similar work with a similar degree.
$71 K for a LPC starting salary sounds about what I would expect at a UCC. At UCCs we typically have generous benefits that are not always available in PP, so the actual salary can seem lower.
This! I work in an crises residential program and I would say my benefits (including 401k matching) adds up to around $5k a year. This doesn't include the 3 week vacation time and sick leave, paid holidays etc. Its hard work but at least I get some good out of it.
Yes— all of this. I work at a private liberal arts college in the Northeast and medical benefits are phenomenal and they give me 10.5% of my yearly salary into a retirement account. I also get a month paid vacation plus various other benefits. My pay is 70k (LCSW in MA). 35 clinical hours is way high. We do 24-26 a week and can set our schedules as we need.
It sounds like the job would be more than the 40 hours a week they're stating due to supervising student therapists and the other duties described in duties 3, 4, and 5. Not sure if they'd be willing to reduce the number of clinical hours to accommodate that or not.
As others have mentioned, benefits can have a big impact on a job offer too. Do you have to pay part of your health insurance? Do they contribute to your 401k or other retirement account and if so, when does this contribution become vested? How many PTO and sick days? Do you work reduced hours when students aren't on campus for breaks? Lots of things to consider. Best of luck!
Hard to answer without knowing your state, if its HCOL area, and license.
Pa im a lpc
I’m also an LPC in PA. The area of PA that you live in can also impact the salary expectations, as well as years of experience. The language from this job posting makes me believe I know which university you’re interviewing at. If I’m right, that would be right around the ball park of what you can expect. With universities you tend to get pretty decent healthcare and possibly even a pension (if it’s the place I’m thinking of), which can make that salary a little easier to accept IMO. You’re welcome to DM me if you want to talk more specifics about the area in PA and I can suggest other places that offer better pay.
The job should pay way more. Hold on for another offer.
I am assuming that the 35 clinical hours includes the programming and what not from point 4? The IACS recommends a max of 26 hours a week for therapists in UCCs. To me, $71k + the benefits of working for a university seem worth it. I work in a UCC and I make $57k but it’s absolutely worth it for the benefits alone.
Your degree, location and level of experience are all pretty relevant.
Also what’s the breakdown of direct patient contact hours to total clinical hours?
Assuming you’re a PhD/PsyD and fully licensed, this sounds low to very low. But maybe more in the ballpark for a university counseling center which may have different staffing levels during student breaks.
For reference, the least a full time, licensed Veteran Affairs psychologist can make is $103,407 (and potentially more depending on locality).
Somebody starting in the VA straight out of predoc internship will make at least $72,553 and then jump to at least $103,407 after 2 years of experience and getting fully licensed.
Sounds like the job will be more like 50+ hours a weeks. Need to also consider the emotional/mental labor involved with supervision. Might be a great experience in the short-term if you do this mainly for the experience/building your resume/skills.
Ehhh. I guess it depends on benefits besides $ and whether you think it’s a good fit, office culture and colleague wise. The reality is University settings tend to pay the least in my experience….
Supervision responsibilities with a lpc? I thought lcpc were supervisors
It sounds like you're in a good position to weigh your options. If you feel the compensation doesn't match the responsibilities, it's reasonable to consider turning down the offer. It's essential to feel valued and adequately compensated for your skills and contributions. Exploring other opportunities is a wise move, especially if you have time and aren't in urgent need.
It sounds like you're considering turning down the job offer because the salary they offered is lower than what you were hoping for, given the job responsibilities. Here are a few factors to consider:
Market Rate: Research the average salary for similar positions in your area to get a sense of whether the offer is in line with industry standards. This can help you determine whether the salary is reasonable given the job responsibilities and your level of experience.
Non-Monetary Benefits: Consider the benefits package offered by the university, such as health insurance, retirement contributions, vacation time, and professional development opportunities. These benefits can add significant value to the overall compensation package.
Career Growth: Think about the long-term potential for career growth and advancement in the university setting. Are there opportunities for promotion, additional training, or professional development that could offset the lower starting salary?
Job Satisfaction: Reflect on whether the job itself aligns with your career goals, interests, and values. Are you excited about the opportunity to work with a diverse population of patients and provide evidence-based psychotherapy in an ambulatory psychiatric care setting?
Negotiation: If you're still interested in the job but feel the salary is too low, consider negotiating with the university to see if there's room for a higher salary or additional benefits. Be prepared to articulate why you believe you deserve a higher salary based on your qualifications, experience, and the job responsibilities outlined in the job description.
Ultimately, the decision to accept or decline the job offer depends on your individual priorities, financial situation, and career goals. If you feel that the salary offered does not adequately compensate you for the job responsibilities and your level of experience, it may be worth exploring other opportunities or negotiating with the university to see if they can improve the offer.