The recent notification for appointment of 58 different posts in the State Health Society, NHM and the mentioned eligibility criteria for respective positions is quite misleading as some of the minimum qualifications are mentioned erroneously.
The Notification issued by Dr O Ibomcha Singh, Mission Director of State Health Society, National Health Mission, Manipur February 6, 2016 invited applications for seven (7) posts of Psychologists (SL No. 35) from interested MA Social Work/MA Psychology candidates.
However, considering the required field of specialization for the post of Psychologists, inviting applications from MA Social Work degree holders is considered to be irrelevant. MA in Psychology and MA in Social Work is different field of specialization. It would be a foolish act to appoint a person with degree in Social Work as Psychologist as he/she might unable to deal with psychological issues.
On top of it, State Health Society also invited applications from MA Sociology/ Psychology degree holders for one (1) post of Clinical Psychologist, NMHP (SL No. 36), when clinical Psychology is a completely different subject.
Not only are these two subjects- MA Social Work and MA Sociology- different specialties and discipline, the Rehabilitation Council of India strictly laid the rules and regulations of Psychologists and Clinical Psychologist as professional who have exclusively completed Masters in Psychology and Master of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology respectively.
Even if the Psychology and Sociology are inter disciplinary subjects. The distinguishing feature of psychology is that it involves the study of the human mind in regards to the individual or small group rather than society as a whole. On the other hand, sociology looks beyond individual beings to examine society as a whole through specific social associations. While, Master in Social Work deals basically trained with the skills and knowledge needed to work with individuals and groups in a social work environment.
According to the Mental Healthcare Bill- 2013 Clinical Psychologist means a person having a recognized qualification in Clinical Psychology from an institute approved and recognized by the Rehabilitation Council of India, constituted under Section 3 of the Rehabilitation Council of India Act, 1992 or having a Post graduate degree in Psychology or Applied Psychology and a Master of Philosophy in Clinical Psychology or media and social psychology or Masters of Philosophy in mental health and social psychology obtained after completion of a full time course of two years which includes supervised clinical training or doctorate in clinical psychology which include supervised clinical training from any university recognized by the University Grant Commission.
In compliance with the rules, Odisha State Health & Family Welfare Society called application for the post of Clinical Psychologist from MA or MSc in Psychology/Clinical Psychology with three months training in Clinical Psychology, as per the notification by Mission Director, NHM, Odisha issued on January 17, 2016.
Likewise, National Rural Health Mission, Kerala also invited application for recruitment of Clinical Psychologist from M.Sc Psychology/MA Psychology/M.Phil Clinical Psychology/PG Diploma in Clinical Psychology conducted by DME Kerala with three years’ experience candidates.
Interestingly, the recruitment notification in question by Mission Director, State Health Society, Manipur also mentioned MA Mass Communication degree holders as one of the eligible criteria for 23 posts of RMNCH/FP Counselors (SL No. 42). The relevant and applicable of Mass Communication subject with Counseling is questionable.
The reason for identifying Master in Mass Communication degree holder for Counselor’s job profile is gives ample grounds for disbelieving in the selection process as the two subjects are different disciplines.
Misleading specification of eligibility criteria in the notification poses some serious questions to the aspiring candidates. Timely intervention of the concern authority and rectify the misleading advertisement is need at urgent basis. Else, it would send out a wrong message to the aspiring candidates. In the long run it would limit the professional scope of Psychologists and Clinical Psychologists who are main professionals in mental health and welfare.
BY: Wahengbam Rorrkychand
