BCP Practice Analysis

While the profession of a psychometrist is relatively static, in 2013 the Board of Certified Psychometrists (BCP) conducted a second “Job Analysis” to ensure that all current knowledge, skills, and competencies required were currently being properly represented.  A third analysis was completed in 2019.

A survey was sent to all current Certified Specialists in Psychometry, as they are subject matter experts having earned the gold standard in psychometry by obtaining their Certified Specialist Psychometry (CSP) credential).  Of the 2013 responses, 30% who responded representing all 10 zones in the United States and British Columbia, 53% have a Bachelor’s degree and 47% have a Master’s degree.  Of the 2019 responses a slight majority held Master's degrees.  The majority of respondents provide services to all age populations, followed by those working with the older age population and lastly, those working with children. Based on this survey the job description of a psychometrist or neuropsychometrist is as follows: 

Job Analysis

The most important duties and responsibilities of a psychometrist are:

• A.    To function relatively autonomously in administering, scoring, and compiling the results of batteries of neuropsychological,       psychological and achievement tests.
• B.    To provide explanations of the assessment process to patients, family members, other professionals and administrative staff and enlist their cooperation and assistance when necessary.
• C.    To remain current on advances in the field and makes recommendations for improvement in service delivery.
• D.    To train junior psychometrists, psychology practicum students, and psychology residents, assigned to the facility.  Training includes the administration, scoring, and safe-keeping of psychological, neuropsychological, personality and academic test instruments, as well as clinical skills such as rapport building and appropriate management of difficult or uncooperative patients.
• E.     To maintain the security of psychological / neuropsychological testing as well as both electronic and physical patient data.
• F.     To monitor the supply of materials; and coordinate the ordering of tests needed.
• G.   To provide routine care and preventive maintenance of equipment inventory and supplies.

The knowledge, skills, abilities and competencies needed to accomplish each job duty or responsibility are:

• A.    Experience and professional knowledge of the principles, concepts, and methodology of the standardized administration and scoring of objective psychological and neuropsychological test batteries as well as skill in applying this knowledge to carry out assignments.
• B.    Thorough knowledge of the principles and concepts of clinical psychology, particularly psychometric test principles.
• C.    Detailed knowledge and experience regarding clinical processes and various testing strategies including an ability to integrate diverse information to keep the evaluation and treatment process organized, updated, and efficient.
• D.    Skill at individualizing test batteries, test administration, and applying different domain specific assessments for individual patient needs with different neuropsychological and psychological dysfunction.
• E.     Knowledge of the commonly used and current / up-to-date testing protocols and assessments for all neuropsychological testing domains.
• F.     Understanding of psychiatric diagnoses and the typical clinical presentations of patients with moderate to severe disorders.
• G.    Understanding of neurological conditions and their associated cognitive and behavioral symptoms and how to work with and manage such patents.
• H.    Skill in establishing and maintaining rapport with patients who suffer from significant neurological, psychiatric, and physical diseases.
• I.       Organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple projects in a timely and efficient manner.
• J.      Ability to communicate effectively and verbally  relevant patient behavior obtained by informed observation and interaction with patients.
• K.    Ability to prepare written reports which integrate the patient's relevant behaviors, emotional status, motivation during testing; as well as patients’ complaints or other problem-related information, as well as test data, which appropriately highlight clinical relevant patterns of behavior.
• L.     Customer service and support skills and the ability to work with diverse populations including patients with significant psychiatric issues and cognitive problems.