What is a Psychometrist?
A psychometrist is responsible for the administration and scoring of psychological and neuropsychological tests under the supervision of a clinical psychologist or clinical neuropsychologist. Psychometrist training should have emphasis on accuracy, validity, and standardization in administration. As well as, accurately scoring the assessments with appropriate norms and providing detailed behavioral observations of the examinee that may be used by the psychologist to aid in test interpretation. The psychometrist may also be responsible for collecting demographic information from a patient.
In addition, this person may also be responsible for various clerical or administrative duties that include but are not limited to patient scheduling, billing and coding of procedures, and procurement of office and testing supplies.
Psychometrists have been utilized by psychologists and neuropsychologists since the 1930’s. Their use became more prevalent over the years and in 2006 the American Medical Association (AMA) and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published a new set of professional billing codes to include a code (96119) used exclusively for testing performed by a ‘supervised technician’ (psychometrist). By utilizing non-doctoral technicians to administer assessments, neuropsychologists are allowed more time for report writing, clinical interviewing, test selection and interpretation of data.
The minimum education level for a psychometrist is a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology or a related field from an accredited college or university.
Facilities that employ many psychometrists of varying experiential and educational levels may adopt a tiered system in which to categorize psychometrists. For example, a senior psychometrist may hold the title of Lead Psychometrist and have increased responsibilities for the training and oversight of junior psychometrists.
Information in part provided by Tom Erickson, MA, CSP, NCC, LMHC
Other References:
In addition, this person may also be responsible for various clerical or administrative duties that include but are not limited to patient scheduling, billing and coding of procedures, and procurement of office and testing supplies.
Psychometrists have been utilized by psychologists and neuropsychologists since the 1930’s. Their use became more prevalent over the years and in 2006 the American Medical Association (AMA) and the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) published a new set of professional billing codes to include a code (96119) used exclusively for testing performed by a ‘supervised technician’ (psychometrist). By utilizing non-doctoral technicians to administer assessments, neuropsychologists are allowed more time for report writing, clinical interviewing, test selection and interpretation of data.
The minimum education level for a psychometrist is a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology or a related field from an accredited college or university.
Facilities that employ many psychometrists of varying experiential and educational levels may adopt a tiered system in which to categorize psychometrists. For example, a senior psychometrist may hold the title of Lead Psychometrist and have increased responsibilities for the training and oversight of junior psychometrists.
Information in part provided by Tom Erickson, MA, CSP, NCC, LMHC
Other References:
- Official Statement of the National Association of Psychometrists
- The use, education, training and supervision of neuropsychological test technicians (psychometrists) in clinical practice Official Statement of the National Academy of Neuropsychology
- The Professional/Technician Model in Clinical Neuropsychology: Deployment Characteristics and Practice Issues
- CMS Manual: Supervision of Psychometrists
- Psychometrist Job Description Examples
©2016 The National Association of Psychometrists
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