A
Board Certified Behavior Analyst (BCBA) entering into a supervisory
relationship with a trainee is not a decision that should be taken
lightly. In my experience as a BCBA supervisor for six years, potential
supervisors should not only research current supervision and ethical
guidelines outlined by the Behavior Analyst Certification Board (BACB)
before deciding to take on a supervisory trainee- they should also spend
some time self-reflecting to ensure that they are in a place to
supervise with the betterment of the applied behavior analytic field in
mind.
Remote supervision allows supervisors to share their knowledge and
experience like never before, but it also adds extra ethical
considerations for supervisors to keep in mind:
Learn your technology.
When supervising remotely it is tremendously important for
supervisors to become highly proficient with the technology they are
using. Spending supervision time fumbling with unfamiliar meeting
platforms is not only unprofessional, but it detracts from the overall
meeting and mutual respect that should be formed with trainees. As
BCBAs, we hope that trainees will respect the time that we set aside for
them- this should be returned by being technically competent with
remote tools and ready to supervise during allotted times. Remote
supervision platforms are more intuitive, user-friendly, and packed with
more tools to help than ever before! While it can take some time to
familiarize yourself with them- it will be time saved later on for you
and your trainees.
Protect Confidentiality
The 2022 Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts outlines that BCBAs must
protect confidential information for both clients and trainees. Included
in this is remote service delivery such as teleservices. Along with
this, we are responsible for retaining and storing documentation related
to professional activities both remotely and in-person. The supervision
software that a BCBA uses and the environment that they use it in must
be HIPAA compliant.
Document…..or it didn’t happen!
Supervisors have to continually document their supervision
experiences with trainees. Look for remote platforms that make
documentation easy and offer storage options to keep supervision
documents safe throughout the supervision relationship and for at least
seven years after it has ended as per the BACB Ethics Code for Behavior
Analysts. Additionally, some remote supervision software can be used by
organizations to ensure that their supervisors are maintaining accurate
and complete documentation while supervising trainees. This can assist
in facilitating continuity of supervision for trainees in case there is
an interruption of supervision because all of the documentation is
stored on the online platform and easily accessible for all parties in
the organization.
Consider Professional and Personal Commitments
Before taking on remote trainees BCBAs should consider their current
caseload, either in-person or remotely, and plan to ensure quality
supervision experiences for their potential trainees. The Ethics Code
for Behavior Analysts (2022) outlines that behavior analysts only take
on the number of trainees that allows them to provide effective
supervision. Remote supervision allows for flexible scheduling and cuts
down on the commute time and costs that comes with traditional
supervision meetings. However, providing supervision is still a task
that requires time, effort, and planning while considering your current
professional and personal commitments. The BACB’s Board Certified
Behavior Analyst Handbook suggests developing time management and
organizational systems and making sure these are in place before
supervision starts. Research remote tools that can assist you in keeping
track of your supervision goals and progress with trainees along the
way.
Putting it All Together
Providing supervision to trainees can be an extremely meaningful part
of working as a BCBA. Remote supervision opportunities allow us to
reach more trainees than ever before to share our knowledge. However, to
be an ethical supervisor we must ensure that we are proficient in the
platforms we are using to communicate and meet with our trainees. We
have to ensure that we are protecting client and trainee privacy while
documenting our meetings and discussions. Finally, before taking on
trainees BCBAs should take time to self-reflect on their commitments,
goals, and time-management abilities to ensure a positive, ethical
supervision experience for all.
References
Behavior Analyst Certification Board. (2023). Board Certified Behavior Analyst® Handbook. bacb.com. https://www.bacb.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/BCBAHandbook_231227-a.pdf
Behavior Analyst Certification Board. (2022). Ethics code for behavior analysts. bacb.com. https://www.bacb.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/Ethics-Code-for-Behavior-Analysts-230119-a.pdf
