Sike!-West: This company provides services that help clients...SIKE! - Mental Competency Assessment Trainer Psychwest Employee Review

My 3.5 years at Psychwest were amazing. In this smaller company, I was able to learn a variety of duties and was offered a lot of professional growth. I felt like my good work was rewarded and I was offered the opportunity to expand on my successes in a meaningful way. My supervisor and company owner, Andrea, was amazing. She was caring, considerate, and a model on how to be an effective employee with attention to detail, consistency, and striving for always improving. She doesn't want a "yes person", she wants to be challenged and arrive on the most effective decision possible. Overall, the work atmosphere is relaxed. People are expected to complete their jobs and do them effectively, and if they can't, they should ask for assistance that is always available from supervisors or peers. If you believe you are an effective worker with a positive attitude, you will be successful and grow here. The office positions are demanding at first in terms of learning all that is necessary with the position, but anyone with the determination to succeed will do well in these roles and will be consistently supported by other office staff and management. The trainer positions that are available in the company are rewarding with their important work with the clients, experience gained from writing court reports, and the large variety of clients and situations you are exposed to. This is a great role for someone trying to gain experience in the criminal justice system. Additionally, the trainer position is very independent - you are relied upon to do your assigned shifts and notes that can be completed from home. Although there is independence, you are in constant communication with your team members and supervisors daily.

There are many negative reviews on the company, with most occurring before I started with Psychwest. Company culture and management changes have progressed the company a long way. There are many more benefits and wage changes that have occurred over the years that make things easier for all employees. The bottom line, if you are a good employee with a good attitude, you will be appreciated and be presented with opportunities to grow your skills. If you have questions, concerns or observations, all of the supervisors and owner Andrea are more than willing and equipped to assist you.

You get to hang out in Starbucks a lot. The clients are mostly fun to work with.

Federal mileage rate is .51 cents, PsychWest pays .19 cents. Trainers are trained to a bare minimum. There is no team concept. When asked ways to help better teach a client you are giving the first idea when you search google. There is no input from Dr West or other clinicians on how to better help the client. Far Northern is paying 1 hr admin time for reports that take 20 mins or less to write. MCAT trainers are underpaid and there are no incentives After 1 year you get .25 raise and that’s with perfect attendance and 100 on time rate for trainer. Worked for over 1 year and never met owner of company. Work in houses that are filthy and was told to just make sure bags are zipped so roaches don’t get in them. Spoke with Supervisor about uncomfortable situation with client, was told that client gets benefit of the doubt until something happens. Once incident happened was told that it was the nature of the work.