Assessment of paraprofessionals' on-the-job performance in an outpatient child guidance clinic.

On-the-job performance of paraprofessional and professional staff of an outpatient child guidance clinic were compared in three respects: (a) ability to do intake interviewing, (b) maintain case records, and (c) collect research data for a therapy outcome study. Data indicated that paraprofessionals performed as well as professionals on each job activity, and suggest generally that paraprofessionals can adequately perform the various tasks assigned to them.