A Neuropsychologist’s Guide to Training Psychometrists Promoting Competence in Psychological Testing

A Neuropsychologist's Guide to Training Psychometrists: Promoting Competence in Psychological Testing provides a framework for busy neuropsychologists faced with training their newly-hired psychometrist. It supplies concrete guidelines and provides a roadmap for training that can be customized to any practice, department, or clinic setting. In this essential resource, Dr. Christine S. Ghilain discusses the role of the psychometrist in various neuropsychological practice settings and provides suggested minimum standards of competence across training domains. She dives deeply into the core components of assessment—from optimizing testing conditions, to standardized test administration, to keen observations of behavior—and includes coverage of topics such as testing with unique populations, behavioral management strategies for challenging situations, as well as promoting ongoing competence over time. A compilation of several sources of data, the book includes excerpts from Dr. Ghilain’s practice-specific psychometry training manual along with advice and illustrative examples from many neuropsychologists and psychometrists who shared their experiences. This book is an indispensable guide for neuropsychologists looking to instill high standards of competence in their hired professionals and for those involved in training graduate students who are just learning to administer cognitive tests. It is also of interest to other assessment-focused professionals looking to enhance their skills and refine their psychological testing knowledge.

Introduction 1. Assessment: The Backbone of the Profession of Neuropsychology 2. A Historical Overview of the Psychometrist’s Role 3. Defining Psychometrist Roles and Expectations 4. Pitfalls of the "Passed-Down" Approach to Training in Psychological Testing 5. Standards and Standardization of Testing Procedures 6. Ethics: Promoting Excellence within the Bounds of Competence 7. A Theoretical Framework for Psychometrist’s Training 8. A Practical Guide to Training Psychometrists 9. Preparation in Advance of the Client’s Arrival 10. Structuring the Space to Optimize the Testing Environment & Results 11. Redirecting and Responding to Clients During Testing 12. Behavioral Observations: Crucial Observations to Support Diagnostic Accuracy 13. Scoring & Score Tables 14. Diverse Populations: Unique Considerations 15. Supplemental Responsibilities in Various Settings 16. Promoting Best Practices by Supporting Psychometrists’ Continuing Education

Dr. Christine S. Ghilain, PhD, ABPP-CN, is a board-certified clinical neuropsychologist in private practice. Her research and clinical interests include refining assessment practices to enhance diagnostic accuracy and achieve optimal outcomes for individuals with diverse neurological conditions across the developmental life span. She has a passion for training and promoting competence in the field of neuropsychology.