AMT Candidate Handbook AMT Certification Gives You the Advantage You Need to Advance Your Career

AMT Candidate Handbook AMT certification gives you the advantage you need to advance your career

American Medical Technologists is a nationally recognized, not-for-profit certifying agency for health practitioners who meet entry-level education, experience, and examination requirements.

Compliance with eligibility requirements results in the issuance of a certificate and membership in American Medical Technologists (AMT).

Most recent revision: June 2021

The information presented in this booklet reflects the policies of American Medical Technologists at the time of publication. The policies are subject to change and procedural modifications may occur without notice.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

GENERAL INFORMATION ...... 1

American Medical Technologists ...... 1

Purpose of the Certification Examinations ...... 1

APPLYING FOR CERTIFICATION ...... 1

The Application Process ...... 1

Non-Discrimination Policy ...... 2

Application Appeals Procedure ...... 2

EXAMINATION ADMINISTRATION THROUGH COMPUTER-BASED TESTING (CBT) ...... 2

General Information...... 2

Authorization to Test ...... 3

Examination Security and Test Administration Regulations ...... 3

Policy Regarding Eyeglasses ...... 3

The Day of the Examination ...... 3

Promptness ...... 3

Identification ...... 3

Rescheduling Policy ...... 4

Cancellation Policy ...... 4

IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ALL EXAMINEES ...... 4

Questionable Test-Taking Behavior ...... ……. 4

Examinee Agreement Regarding Score Cancellations and Confidentiality 5

Special Accommodations ...... 5

EXAMINATION RESULTS ...... 6

Scoring Procedures ………………………………………………………….. 6

Scores and Score Reports ...... 6

Processing Time ...... ………. 6

Retesting ...... 6

EXAMINATION DEVELOPMENT ...... 6

The Education, Qualifications, and Standards Committees ...... 6

The Competency Outline ...... 6

EXAMINATION FORMAT AND CONTENT ...... 7

Examination Format ...... 7

Examination Content ...... 7

Pretest (Pilot) Questions...... 7

EXAMINATION PERFORMANCE STANDARDS ...... 7

Criterion-referenced Examinations ...... 7

Setting the Criterion (passing score) ...... 7

Passing the Examination and Reexamination ...... 8

MAINTENANCE OF EXAMINATION QUALITY AND TEST SECURITY . . . . . 8

Collection and Review of Statistical Indices ...... 8

Examination Development ...... 8

Examination Security ...... 8

CERTIFICATION ...... 8

AMT Certification ...... 8

Certification Continuation Program (CCP) ...... 9

Standards of Practice ...... 9

Disciplinary Process and Revocation of Certification ...... 10

Resources ...... 11

Addendum A…………………………………………………...... 12-13

Addendum B…………………………………………………...... 14-15

Addendum C…………………………………………………...... 16

Frequently Asked Questions about Computerized Testing ...... 17

American Medical Technologists Candidate Handbook

GENERAL INFORMATION completed online at: www.americanmedtech.org. American Medical Technologists American Medical Technologists (AMT) is a 2. Review the Candidate Handbook national agency that certifies examination- prior to completing the application. based primary designations of healthcare The Handbook outlines important personnel: medical technologists, medical information and requirements to which laboratory technicians, office laboratory all applicants must comply. technicians, medical assistants, phlebotomy technicians, dental assistants, and medical When submitting an application, office administrative specialists. The candidates must pay close attention to organization's purpose is to help protect the the documentation required. Also, it is welfare of the public by maintaining the candidate’s responsibility to stay competency standards in these informed of the progress of the occupations. application via the AMT website and to assist in the timely response of As an accredited member of the National references and employers. Candidates Commission for Certifying Agencies should allow sufficient time for (NCCA), a division of the Institute for application review and processing Credentialing Excellence (ICE), AMT (normally 2 – 3 weeks). Candidates are adheres to a number of rigorous criteria encouraged to submit the application regarding the conduct of its credentialing and required documentation as early as programs. All AMT certification possible to allow for unanticipated examinations are constructed and delays. Applicants applying for special administered in accordance with accommodations should allow additional methodologies recognized by both processing time (up to 30 days) and psychometric and credentialing must submit appropriate documentation communities. as outlined in a subsequent section of Purpose of the Certification this handbook. Appeals for denied Examinations applications may be filed according to AMT certification examinations are intended the stipulations outlined in a subsequent to evaluate the competence of entry-level section of this handbook. Application practitioners. The tests address content fees are NOT refundable. areas defined and validated by subject- matter experts, educators, and individuals 3. Wait for emailed confirmation from working in their respective fields. As the AMT indicating that you have been tests provide only one source of information approved to test. When a candidate’s regarding examinee competence, they are application is complete and has been used in conjunction with other indicators of approved by AMT, an Authorization to training and experience in the granting of Test letter will be issued. The certification. correspondence will include all details necessary to schedule an examination APPLYING FOR CERTIFICATION administration.

1. The Application Process 4. Schedule a test administration session. All AMT examinations are Obtain the application and review the administered on computer at Pearson eligibility requirements for the VUE testing center. Appointments at the designation in which you seek testing centers may be made after certification. The application may be receiving an “Authorization to Test” letter from AMT. Candidates are

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American Medical Technologists Candidate Handbook

advised to make appointments to test as of its decision within 120 days of receipt of soon as practical, to allow for the the original written appeal. selection of a time, date, and test center location that best accommodates their II. Appeal to the AMT Board of Directors schedules. Applicants may appeal the decision of the 5. Attend the examination EQS Committee to the AMT Board of administration. Detailed information Directors by writing to the President of the regarding test administration provisions Board within 60 days of notification of the and requirements is provided in this Committee decision. The applicant may handbook. submit any documentation deemed necessary to support the appeal. The 6. Receive examination results. Board may meet in person or by telephone. Candidates examined by computer- The Board may allow the individual to be based testing (CBT) receive results present at a personal meeting, if one is immediately upon completion of the test held, or may talk to the applicant by phone. administration session. Results will not All of the applicant's expenses pertaining to be issued via telephone, facsimile the appeal will be borne by the applicant. transmission, or emails, under any The Board will notify the applicant of its circumstances. decision in writing within 120 days of receipt of the written appeal. The decision of the Non-Discrimination Policy Board of Directors is final. Qualified applicants are considered for III. AMT Board of Directors Options certification without regard to race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, marital The fundamental decision of the Board will status, medical condition, or disability. be to affirm or overturn the Office Staff decision. However, the Board may also opt to make other decisions deemed Application Appeals Procedure appropriate. Applicants deemed ineligible to sit for an AMT certifying examination have the EXAMINATION ADMINISTRATION opportunity to appeal that decision. THROUGH COMPUTER-BASED TESTING (CBT) I. Appeal to the Examinations, Qualifications, and Standards Committee General Information All AMT CBT is administered under contract An applicant may appeal the decision of the with Pearson VUE. Pearson VUE testing AMT Office Staff to the Examination, centers are available at several hundred Qualifications, and Standards (EQS) locations in the United States, its territories Committee by writing the Committee within and overseas locations. Complete and 60 days of notification of the Staff decision. current information regarding domestic The applicant may submit any Pearson VUE sites can be reviewed at the documentation deemed necessary to website: www.pearsonvue.com/amt. This support the appeal. The EQS Committee site also provides maps and driving may meet in person or by telephone to instructions to each testing center. discuss the appeal. The Committee may Additionally, AMT offers individuals taking allow the applicant to be present at a the Registered Medical Assistant personal meeting, if one is held, or may talk RMA(AMT) and the Registered Phlebotomy to the individual by telephone. All of the Technician RPT(AMT) exam(s) the applicant's expenses pertaining to the opportunity to test Online via Live Remote appeal will be borne by the applicant. The Committee will notify the applicant in writing - 2 -

American Medical Technologists Candidate Handbook

Proctoring (LRP) using a personal the testing policies and procedures outlined computer. Information related to this option in this booklet may result in dismissal from can be found at the testing center or the stopping of the LRP https://home.pearsonvue.com/Test- examination, invalidation of examination takers/OnVUE-online-proctoring.aspx results, and forfeiture of eligibility to test and associated fees. Authorization to Test Once a candidate’s Application for Policy Regarding Eyeglasses Certification is complete and has been The check-in procedure at computerized officially approved by AMT, an Authorization test centers includes an inspection of to Test letter is posted on the candidate’s eyeglasses. Prior to admittance, examinees home page. At the same time, AMT sends will be required to remove eyeglasses (or Pearson VUE an electronic authorization present eyeglasses intended for use) and indicating which candidates are approved show them to the test center administrator and eligible for examination and how the for inspection without handing them to the test will be delivered (at a Pearson VUE site administrator. In addition, Google Glass and / Online using a personal computer (LRP). other similar technologies are prohibited. Upon receipt of the Authorization letter, Eyeglasses not passing inspection and domestic candidates may log on to Google Glass will not be permitted in the www.pearsonvue.com/amt or call Pearson examination room under any circumstances. VUE directly at 888-846-6941 to schedule an examination time and place. The letter The Day of the Examination contains the telephone number and other Examinations are administered as important testing information. scheduled in advance with Pearson VUE. It is advisable to bring a watch. Examinees Examination Security and Test are not permitted to continue taking the test Administration Regulations beyond the established time limit. Visitors To ensure that all AMT candidates are are not permitted in the examination room. examined under comparable conditions Calculators are not allowed in the employing fair and accurate testing examination room and are not necessary. methods, it is essential that testing The examination questions are so environments be standardized. In addition constructed that all numerical calculations to other provisions outlined in this booklet, may be performed by hand. In addition, the regulations below seek to achieve test scratch paper should not be necessary. standardization and augment test security. These security provisions apply to both Promptness testing environments, onsite at Pearson Examinees are advised to be at the VUE and online, using your personal administration site or if testing online (LRP), computer (LRP). No cellular phones, preparing to check in at least 30 minutes beepers, pagers, cameras, photographic or prior to the scheduled examination time to video equipment, transmitters, or electronic allow for check-in. Examinees arriving late equipment of any type is allowed in the may be refused admittance by the Pearson testing room. No papers, books, textbooks, VUE proctor. Should this occur, the notebooks, notes, unauthorized scratch candidate will be required to pay a paper, calculators or food are permitted in reexamination fee and reschedule another the testing room. Eating, drinking, and testing appointment. tobacco use are prohibited. If testing online (LRP), no other people / pets, etc. are Identification allowed in the testing room. Any violation of In order to be admitted into a Pearson Testing Center, candidates MUST bring/ present two valid forms of matching

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American Medical Technologists Candidate Handbook

Identification, both original, bearing their cancel an appointment for 10AM on a name and signature and at least one with a Monday morning would need to contact photograph. Acceptable photo identification Pearson by 10AM Friday morning. is limited to: VALID Driver’s License; Candidates must speak directly to Passport; VALID Military Identification; or Pearson VUE Call Center staff to State Identification Card (Benefits, FOID, authorize appointment cancellations. Firearms, Concealed Carry cards are not valid for this purpose). The secondary If you cancel online (preferred) you must identification must contain name and ensure you complete the entire process and signature. Expired IDs are not acceptable, receive the email notification that your exam unless accompanied by valid renewal has been cancelled. If no confirmation papers. Examinees must ensure that all email is received, the exam has NOT been identification matches the information on the cancelled. There is no charge for authorization letter. rescheduling if the change is made at least one business day prior to the appointment. Examinees not providing acceptable identification will be refused admittance to Cancellation Policy test and will be required to pay a Examination appointments may be canceled reexamination fee and reschedule another without fee by contacting Pearson VUE no testing appointment. later than one business day prior to the scheduled appointment (see example Time Limit for Computerized Testing above). There is no charge for canceling if Examinees have established timeframes in the change is made at least one business which to complete the examination (see day prior to the appointment. Candidates below): canceling appointments after one business day prior to a scheduled appointment will • Dental Assistant – 2.5 hours forfeit their full testing fee and will be • Medical Administrative Specialist – 2.0 assessed a retesting fee. hours • Medical Assistant – 2.0 hours IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR ALL • Phlebotomy Technician – 2.5 hours EXAMINEES • Medical Technologist – 3.5 hours Questionable Test-Taking Behavior • Medical Laboratory Technician – 3.0 Proctors have been given specific hours instructions regarding questionable test • Medical Laboratory Assistant – 2.5 taking behavior, or "cheating." Such hours behavior includes but is not limited to: • Molecular Diagnostics Technologist – examinees copying from one another, 3.0 hours speaking to one another, or someone else • Patient Care Technician – 2.5 hours entering the room during the administration, copying from notes or looking at Breaks During Testing papers/texts/phones, etc. Proctors have NOTE: The examination counter/time will been instructed to immediately terminate NOT be stopped during the exam the examination for those individuals in administration for breaks, etc. question. Examinations terminated under such circumstances will be invalidated and Rescheduling Policy the examinee will be subject to the policies Examination appointments may be outlined in this booklet. rescheduled without fee by contacting Pearson VUE no later than one full business day prior to the scheduled appointment. For example, a candidate wishing to

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American Medical Technologists Candidate Handbook

Examinee Agreement Regarding Score Assurance. The unauthorized disclosure, Cancellations and Confidentiality publication, copying, reproduction, transmission, distribution or possession of By applying and sitting for an AMT exam content or materials in any form is a certification examination, all candidates crime and may subject you to civil liability agree to the following policies: and/or criminal prosecution.

1. Validity Assurance and Score Special Accommodations Cancellation - AMT reserves the right to AMT is committed to ensuring that no cancel any examination score if, in AMT’s individual is deprived of the opportunity to professional judgment, there is any reason take an examination solely by reason of a to question the score’s validity. disability. Special accommodations may be Circumstances warranting score provided for candidates with documented cancellation may include, but are not limited disabilities. A limited number of to: copying from notes or from another accommodations are possible if you plan to examinee’s answers; speaking or otherwise test by Online via LRP. Candidates communicating with others during the test requesting special provisions must state administration; aiding or receiving aid from their needs in writing when applying to take other examinees; consulting study aids of the examination. Requests should include any type during the exam; copying, (but are not limited to): 1) medically transcribing, or otherwise reproducing test supported documentation of the disability, 2) materials; removing test materials from the accommodations requested for the examination room; or having improper examination, and 3) descriptions of past access to AMT exam content prior to the accommodations provided in other cases. exam administration. Significant score increases upon retesting may also be The computer-administered AMT investigated to ensure the authenticity of examination tests the examinee's base of results. Misconduct may disqualify you from knowledge related to a certification all future examination attempts and from discipline. The examination is combined AMT certification. with other indicators of competence in the larger certification process for a specific job 2. Exam Confidentiality and Non- function. Disclosure Agreement - The content of all AMT certification exams is copyrighted and Accordingly, no candidate will be excused is the property of AMT. Exam materials will from the knowledge-based examination or be provided to you on a temporary basis for offered a modification that would the sole purpose of testing your knowledge compromise the examination's ability to and competency in the discipline for which assess the skills and knowledge it is you seek certification. You are required to designed to measure. Similarly, no auxiliary return any exam materials to the test aid or service will be provided that will administrator immediately after completing fundamentally alter the examination or will the exam, and you are prohibited from using result in an undue burden to AMT. or possessing AMT examination content for any other purpose or at any other time. You Whenever possible, the AMT Office will agree not to disclose, publish, copy, determine applicant eligibility for special reproduce, transmit or distribute exam provisions. Candidates should allow the content, in whole or in part, in any form or AMT Office reasonable time (up to 30 days) by any means, for any purpose, without the to review the request, and if warranted, express prior written authorization of AMT’s make provisions to provide an Director of Testing and Competency accommodation. The proctor will be notified if special considerations are granted.

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American Medical Technologists Candidate Handbook

EXAMINATION RESULTS Retesting Because performance is evaluated with Scoring Procedures respect to all content areas, failing All computerized examinations are scored candidates who choose to retake the test immediately by the computer. This scoring are required to retake the entire method allows for both a high degree of examination. Candidates can retake the quality control with respect to the accuracy examination three additional times after the of results, in addition to absolute objectivity first failure, up to a total of four (4) times, for with respect to scoring. that certification. After failing any test, it is Scores and Score Reports recommended that candidates study all Following examination scoring, examinees areas in which mastery of the material was receive a letter notifying them of their not achieved (as indicated on a failing score examination performance. Passing report) before reattempting a test. A examinees receive a letter indicating the retesting fee is required. passing score on the examination (70) and EXAMINATION DEVELOPMENT their obtained scale score only. Failing examinees receive a letter containing the AMT’s Examination, Qualifications, and same information, in addition to information Standards Committees (EQS) develop all regarding the sub-sections of the test in certification examinations. Each certification which they obtained low scores. Failing designation has a respective committee of examinees may consider these areas of subject-matter experts that is responsible weakness in preparation for retesting. for constructing examinations within its discipline. In addition to generating and Although there are 200-230 questions on updating specifications on which the the examination, the minimum passing examinations are based, the Committees score on the examination is translated into write test questions and review questions the number 70, on a scale ranging from 0 to submitted from other sources (questions are 100. This system of "scaled scores" is used submitted by instructors, experts, to provide a common scale for reviewing practitioners, and other individuals and reporting test results across examinees, associated with a specific occupation). The and across different forms of the same test. Committees also determine certification It is important to note that 70, and the requirements and address standard-setting scores that examinees receive, are neither issues related to their respective percentages of questions, nor numbers of credentials. After construction by the expert questions answered correctly. Rather, these committees, examinations are subsequently are points on a 0 to 100 scale. Therefore, a reviewed and approved by the primary EQS score of 99 would NOT indicate that 99% of Committee under the auspices of the the questions were answered correctly, or American Medical Technologists Board of that 99 questions were answered correctly. Directors.

Processing Time The Competency Outline Examination results are available American Medical Technologists immediately upon completion of computer administers "competency-based" administered examinations. Test results certification examinations. A competency- appear on the screen and a paper copy of based testing strategy involves assessing the results is provided. In addition, results whether or not examinees possess the skills are provided to examinees in writing only and knowledge required for successful and are not available by telephone. performance in a particular job role.

The first step in the development of this type of test is to define the work role by listing - 6 -

American Medical Technologists Candidate Handbook

the areas in which a certificant must be EXAMINATION FORMAT AND CONTENT competent. Such a list may include a variety of aspects addressing knowledge of Examination Format procedures, knowledge of theories, and AMT certification examinations consist of application of theories, in addition to a 200-230 four-option, multiple-choice items. number of other knowledge and skill-related Examinees are required to select the single statements. best answer from among the four alternatives. Multiple answers for a single In the development of examinations, the item are scored as incorrect. Test items EQS Committee begins by constructing a may require examinees to recall facts, draft of the competency (or task) inventory. interpret graphic illustrations, interpret The preliminary list is then circulated to a information presented in case studies, random sample of practitioners to obtain analyze situations, or solve problems. their input. The competency outline presented for each discipline represents the Examination Content consensus of experts and practitioners The general content outline for the regarding the composition of the respective certification examination can be found on work role. (The outline is actually a the AMT website. The percentages of summary of a more detailed task inventory.) questions indicated for each content area should be considered reliable, but Once the list of competencies required for approximate. successful practice is developed, test questions are written to address each Pretest (Pilot) Questions competency. The items are then classified AMT examinations may contain pretest in terms of several dimensions and entered items that are unscored questions into a computerized item bank. As the embedded in the test. AMT uses data number of written test questions far exceeds gathered in this manner to evaluate new, the number of questions allowable on a unused questions prior to use on future particular test, examinations contain only a certification examinations. Pretest questions sample of items (therefore referencing only are not identified in the test and they appear a sample of competencies). However, just like any other question. The total time during test construction, the items are allowed for testing takes the presence of drawn from the bank in such a way as to pretest items into consideration. Time is ensure that representative samples of allowed to answer these questions. As competencies are assessed. pretest items are unscored, candidates’ answers to these questions will not affect The summary content outline presented for test scores. each certification describes the knowledge and task areas considered by American EXAMINATION PERFORMANCE Medical Technologists to comprise the STANDARDS practitioner work role. Given the development of thorough and appropriate Criterion-referenced Examinations competency lists, and the selection of item AMT certification examinations are samples adequately representing requisite competency-based, criterion-referenced competencies, valid tests for practitioner examinations. As such, they may be certification may be constructed. Through different from typical tests that most the employ of subject-matter experts, examinees may have taken. practitioner input, and extensive test Traditionally, many tests are scored or validation research, American Medical graded "on the curve." To obtain an "A" an Technologists continually strives to maintain examinee is only required to perform better sound, updated examinations. than the rest of the people in the group who take the test. Criterion-referenced - 7 -

American Medical Technologists Candidate Handbook

examinations (including those employed by The minimum passing score for an AMT) do not use the group for determining examination is translated into the number performance, but rather an external 70 (on a scale ranging from 0 to 100). To standard called the "criterion." Examinee pass the examination, a candidate must performance is evaluated against this obtain a scaled score of 70 or greater. standard to determine if an individual's Although the examination consists of score is sufficiently high to indicate several distinct content areas, evaluation of competence to begin working in the field as test performance is based on the total score a professional. that a candidate obtains, combined across all content sections. Because performance Setting the Criterion (passing score) is evaluated with respect to all content To determine the criterion or "passing areas, failing candidates who choose to score," each examination item is reviewed retake the test are required to complete the independently by qualified, experienced entire examination. Candidates are allowed individuals in the field. The experts on the to retake the examination three additional EQS Committee then evaluate the difficulty times after the first failure. After failing any of each individual examination item to test, it is recommended that candidates determine the passing score. study all areas in which mastery of the material was not achieved (as indicated on The interested examinee may consult the a failing score report) before reattempting a following reference for a more detailed test. A retesting fee is required. discussion of the method: Livingston, S.A., Candidates may take an examination for a & Zieky, M.J. (1982). Passing Scores: A specific certification discipline a maximum of Manual for Setting Standards of four times. Applications remain active for Performance on Educational and one year. Candidates wishing to be Occupational Tests. New Jersey: examined after an application has expired Educational Testing Service. will be required to submit a new application in addition to any required documentation. The advantage of a criterion-referenced examination is that the focus changes from MAINTENANCE OF EXAMINATION the question: "Is this individual better (or QUALITY AND TEST SECURITY worse) than the rest of the group being tested?" to: "Is this individual sufficiently Collection and Review of Statistical competent, based on this examination, to be Indices allowed to practice in the profession?" After each examination is scored, statistical reports are generated that show how each For additional information regarding the question in the test performed. The results passing score determination methodology of these analyses are reviewed by members related to specific AMT certification of the EQS Committee. The Committee or examinations see: its designate makes a final determination regarding the suitability of a particular Addendum A – MT/MLT/RMA Certification question, and the answer to the question. Examinations Examination Development Addendum B – RPT/RDA/CMLA/CMAS Test items retained in the AMT item bank Certification Examinations are regularly reviewed and evaluated. Addendum C – Passing Rates Necessary changes or deletions are made to update content and relevance. New items Passing the Examination and added to the bank proceed through Reexamination numerous reviews and evaluations before approval and acceptance. Certification

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American Medical Technologists Candidate Handbook

examination development is the direct The Program requires all new certificants to responsibility of the EQS Committees. participate in, and document activities supporting the continuation of AMT In constructing different forms of a test, a certification every three years. In meeting change in an individual item does not alter this requirement, certificants are required to the balance of the complete examination. accrue continuing education through the The subject matter, examination passing following qualifying activities: Professional score and other data for each item are Education, Formal Education, Employment considered when constructing an Verification, Authorship of Written Works, examination. This provides all examinees Instructional Presentations and with consistent and comprehensive Organizational Participation. In addition, examinations. Candidates may be assured certificants must comply with the AMT that the content of the examination and the Standards of Practice. Certificants will required level of performance will be similar receive reminders via mail and email in all administrations. Test validation regarding their compliance with the research is periodically conducted to ensure Program, throughout the years. Members that the content of examinations is current are encouraged to use AMTrax to track their and relevant to each certification CE and other related activities. Certificants designation. Furthermore, comprehensive must comply with required program statistical summaries are prepared annually elements to remain certified. Individuals not to assess the performance outcomes of all in compliance with the CCP policy are not examinations administered. considered by AMT to be certified.

Examination Security Standards of Practice All examinations administered by AMT are The American Medical Technologists is processed with the highest degree of dedicated to encouraging, establishing security allowable. All examination and maintaining the highest standards, administrations are conducted under strict traditions, and principles of the direction of proctors. Test documents are disciplines which constitute the allied handled at the AMT Office under secure health professions of the certification conditions. agency and the Registry.

CERTIFICATION Members of the Registry and all AMT Certification individuals certified by AMT recognize Candidates who meet all application their professional and ethical requirements, pass the certification responsibilities, not only to their patients, examination, and comply with policies and but also to society, to other health care provisions for their respective disciplines professionals, and to themselves. may become certified by AMT. New certificants receive materials and The AMT Board of Directors has information describing the benefits and adopted the following Standards of responsibilities of being certified by AMT, in Practice which define the essence of addition to a membership certificate and competent, honorable and ethical wallet card. Candidates should be aware of behavior for an AMT-certified allied several key policies that are relevant health care professional. Reported following the granting of certification to violations of these Standards will be include: The Certification Continuation referred to the Judiciary Committee and Program (CCP), The Standards of Practice, may result in revocation of the and the Disciplinary Policy. individual’s certification or other disciplinary sanctions. Certification Continuation Program (CCP) - 9 -

American Medical Technologists Candidate Handbook

I. While engaged in the Arts and illegal practices, breaches of Sciences that constitute the practice fiduciary duty, or abuses of the of their profession, AMT position of trust into which the professionals shall be dedicated to professional has been placed as a the provision of competent and certified healthcare professional. compassionate service and shall always meet or exceed the VII. AMT professionals understand that applicable standard of care. they shall not make or offer a diagnosis or dispense medical II. The AMT professional shall place advice unless they are duly licensed the health and welfare of the patient practitioners or unless above all else. specifically authorized to do so by an attending licensed practitioner acting III. When performing clinical duties and in accordance with applicable law. procedures, the AMT professional shall act within the lawful limits of VIII. The AMT professional shall any applicable scope of practice, observe and value the and when so required shall act judgment of the attending under and in accordance with physician, dentist, or other appropriate supervision by an attending licensed practitioner, attending physician, dentist, or other provided that so doing does not licensed practitioner. clearly constitute a violation of law or pose an immediate threat to the IV. The AMT professional shall always welfare of the patient. respect the rights of patients and of fellow health care providers, shall IX. AMT professionals recognize that comply with all applicable laws and they are responsible for any regulations governing the privacy personal wrongdoing, and that they and confidentiality of protected have an obligation to report to the healthcare information, and shall proper authorities any knowledge of safeguard patient confidences professional abuse or unlawful unless legally authorized or behavior by any party involved in the compelled to divulge protected patient’s diagnosis, care and healthcare information to an treatment. authorized individual, law enforcement officer, or other legal or X. The AMT professional pledges to governmental entity. uphold personal honor and integrity and to cooperate in protecting and V. AMT professionals shall strive to advancing, by every lawful means, increase their technical knowledge, the interests of the American shall continue to learn, and shall Medical Technologists and its continue to apply and share Members. scientific advances in their fields of professional specialization. Disciplinary Process and Revocation of Certification VI. The AMT professional shall respect AMT certificants will be disciplined, if the law and pledges to avoid necessary, under Articles IX and XI of the dishonest, unethical or AMT National Bylaws and the standing Disciplinary Policy approved by the AMT Board of Directors.

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American Medical Technologists Candidate Handbook

RESOURCES

Content Outlines - Examinations:

Content outlines for examinations in a specific certification may be found on the AMT website at www.americanmedtech.org in the Certification section under the individual certification of interest.

Content Outlines – Practice Examinations:

Practice examinations for the certification being sought may be found on the AMT website at www.americanmedtech.org in the Certification section under the individual certification of interest.

Reference Material and Publications:

Reference material for certification being sought may be found on the AMT website at www.americanmedtech.org in the Certification section under the individual certification of interest.

Practice Examinations:

Practice examinations are available for order and purchase on the AMT website at www.americanmedtech.org.

American Medical Technologists Candidate Handbook

ADDENDUM - A

EXAMINATION DEVELOPMENT: MT, MLT, AND RMA

Setting the Criterion (passing score)

Item raters begin by identifying which answer choices the minimally-competent, entry-level individual should be able to eliminate as clearly incorrect. The number of remaining answer choices determines the probability of choosing the correct answer. The average of all reviewers' judgments determines the Minimum Passing Level (MPL) of each test item.

For example, if it is determined that the minimally-competent examinee could eliminate one of the answer choices as clearly incorrect, he would then be selecting from among the three remaining choices. His chances of selecting the correct answer would be 1 out of 3, or .33. This number is the MPL for the question. If he could eliminate two answer choices as clearly incorrect, he would then be selecting from the two remaining choices. His chances (the “odds”) of selecting the correct answer then become 1 out of 2, or .50. For example:

The bone in the thigh is the * A) femur. B) tibia. C) radius. D) humerus.

For example, the minimally competent medical assistant should be able to immediately recognize C) and D) as arm bones, thus eliminating those choices as being clearly incorrect. He might then need to mentally review his knowledge of anatomy to recall the positions of the leg bones, thus making his final selection of the correct answer from either A) or B). In this case, his odds are 1 in 2. The MPL for this item would be .50.

The "odds" of answering an item correctly can be thought of as the item's difficulty. Each item has its own difficulty value (MPL). Therefore, a complete examination is composed of items of various difficulties.

After the committee has reviewed each item, indicating which of the four responses to each item the minimally competent examinee should be able to perceive as incorrect, the judges' ratings are pooled to obtain the minim um passing level (MPL) for each test item. The MPL settings for all items appearing on a particular examination then are totaled to determine the minimum passing level (MPL) for the entire examination. This procedure is done before the administration of an examination.

American Medical Technologists Candidate Handbook

All AMT examinations have 200-230 items, but consider the following hypothetical 5-item test: Item Minimum Passing Level (MPL)

Item A .50 Item B .33 Item C .25 Item D 1.00 Item E .50 2.58 = Passing score or MPL for the test (rounds to 3 out of 5).

An examinee's "raw score" is determined by summing the number of items answered correctly. Examinees with scores exceeding the test MPL pass the test. Examinees with scores falling short of the MPL fail the test.

All raw scores (and the MPL) are then converted to standard scores through a linear transformation. This statistical procedure provides a common scale for reviewing and reporting results.

The advantage of a criterion-referenced examination is that the focus changes from the question: "Is this individual better (or worse) than the rest of the group being tested?" to: "Is this individual sufficiently competent, based on this examination, to be allowed to practice in the profession?"

American Medical Technologists Candidate Handbook

ADDENDUM - B

EXAMINATION DEVELOPMENT: RPT, RDA, CMLA, CMAS

Setting the Criterion (passing score)

The following outlines the method used for determining passing scores for AMT tests:

1. The Examination, Qualifications, and Standards Committee assigns a difficulty value each question.

Each item on the test is of multiple-choice form (four options, one being the correct answer). Prior to administering the examination, each member of the Committee reviews every test question, indicating the probability that an entry-level, minimally-competent examinee will answer an item correctly. Probabilities are assigned using a scale range of .25 to 1.00, in increments of .05 (the lower bound of the scale is .25, to represent "chance probability" for a four-option test item).

To help make the rating task more concrete, the judges may consider a hypothetical group of 100 entry-level, minimally-competent examinees. From this group, raters are asked to consider the number of examinees that would answer a particular question correctly. In assigning ratings, the judges may draw upon their own expertise, and/or consider statistical information regarding the prior performance of an item.

Consider the difficulty rating assigned by a judge, to the following question:

The planet nearest the sun is

A) Jupiter *B) Mercury C) Earth Probability .65 D) Venus

This rater indicated that an entry-level, minimally-competent examinee has a 65% (.65) probability of answering the item correctly. This number reflects the difficulty level for the question (.25 would represent a difficult question, and 1.00 would represent a relatively easy question). Similar responses are obtained from each judge. The arithmetic mean across raters is calculated, to yield one difficulty value per question.

The average rating for each item is pooled (in a computerized database) with the item on a permanent or semi-permanent basis. Therefore, when an item appears on a subsequent test form, it will carry a difficulty rating from the prior review. The "minimum passing level" (MPL) for each item is reviewed during the construction of subsequent forms and is modified or reevaluated if necessary.

American Medical Technologists Candidate Handbook

2. An overall difficulty level for the examination is calculated.

The final passing score, or the minimum passing level (MPL) for a test is simply the sum of the difficulty values for each individual item. For example, consider a five-item test comprised of items of the following difficulties:

Difficulty Item A .50 Item B .25 Item C .65 Item D 1.00 Item E .50 2.90

The passing score for the test would be 2.90 (which, in this example, would be rounded to 3 questions). Fractional test MPLs are rounded such that numbers over .5 are rounded to the next largest integer, and numbers under .5 are rounded to the next smallest integer. The examination passing score is not adjusted after the above determination is made, with the exception of the deletion of items pending statistical item analyses. The careful review of item analyses helps ensure the integrity of the passing level.

3. Examinee performance scores are calculated.

An examinee's "raw score" is determined by summing the number of items answered correctly. Each question answered correctly is worth one raw score point. Examinees with scores exceeding the test MPL pass the test. Examinees with scores falling short of the MPL fail the test.

All raw scores (and the MPL) are then converted to standard scores through a linear transformation. This statistical procedure provides a common scale for reviewing and reporting results.

American Medical Technologists Candidate Handbook

ADDENDUM – C

Number of Current Certificants, Examination Administration Volumes, and Passing Rates for AMT Certification Programs

2020 2019 2018 Certification Currently Number Percent Number Percent Number Percent Program Certified Examined* Passing Examined Passing Examined Passing CMAS 256 48 77% 149 69% 134 87% CMLA 311 99 77% 141 68% 128 66% MLT 2,713 311 69% 382 66% 413 66% MT 9,707 549 65% 647 62% 737 64% RDA 594 228 86% 404 88% 373 88% RMA 66,603 8,193 77% 12,866 84% 14,819 79% RPT 7,226 1,158 83% 2,142 86% 2,262 85%

*2020 volumes reflect reduced test administration activity owing to COVID-19 pandemic- related factors.

American Medical Technologists Candidate Handbook

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT COMPUTERIZED TESTING AT AMT

• Where are computerized tests administered? Pearson VUE testing centers are available at several hundreds of locations in the United States, its territories and at sites worldwide. Complete and current information regarding testing sites may be found at www.pearsonvue.com/amt.

• How frequently are tests administered? Tests are available nearly every day of the year, except Sundays and Holidays. Contact your local testing center for availability.

• When am I authorized to contact Pearson VUE and schedule an administration time? When your completed AMT certification application and supplemental information has been reviewed, and approved as complete, you will receive an authorization letter. You may then contact Pearson VUE to schedule a date and time to take your examination. The BEST way to schedule your examination is on-line at www.pearsonvue.com.

• What identification will I need for admittance into the Pearson VUE testing center? You will need two forms of valid identification, both bearing your signature and at least one (1) bearing your photo. (Photo identification is limited to driver's license; state-issued Identification card; military identification or passport). Ensure that the information on your identification matches the information on your authorization letter to avoid being turned away and assessed a retesting fee.

• Are calculators permitted in the test administration area? Calculators are neither permitted nor required when taking your test.

• When are my computerized test results available? Your score is available moments after completing your test. A paper copy of your results letter is provided to you before leaving the testing center.

• How soon may I retake an examination after an unsuccessful attempt? Examinations may be rescheduled and retaken 45 days after the failed attempt.

• What if I have other questions that are not addressed here? For other questions contact the AMT Registrar at (847) 823-5169 or visit: www.americanmedtech.org

Good Luck on Your Certification Examination!

10700 W. Higgins Road, Suite 150 Rosemont, Illinois 60018 Voice: (847) 823-5169 E-mail [email protected] Web: www.americanmedtech.org