Imagine you have just received your certification and are taking on your first trainee within your organization who is working towards certification. Based on the BACB® guidelines and the Ethics code, and this week's lecture, create a task analysis that you will follow to set up the supervisory relationship prior to your first supervision meeting with this trainee. What things must be in place before you begin? Are there any conditions under which will you not proceed with the supervisory relationship?
1 | Review the Ethics Code. Ensure the trainee has a copy of and reviews the BACB Ethics Code, specifically addressing boundaries, multiple relationships, and confidentiality. | Ethics Code 1.01: Commitment to Behavior Analysis, 1.13: Coercive and Exploitative Relationships | Documentation of Ethics Code review (e.g., a signed checklist/acknowledgement). | | 3.2 | Establish Documentation System. Finalize the system for tracking hours, supervision activities, feedback, and performance monitoring. | Ethics Code 4.10: Documenting Supervision | Agreement on tracking forms (e.g., BACB Monthly/Final Forms), signed Confidentiality Agreement. | | 3.3 | Sign and Distribute Contract. Both parties sign the final supervision contract. | Supervised Fieldwork Requirements | Original signed contract retained by both parties for 7 years. |
Things That Must Be in Place Before You Begin
Before the very first supervisory session and the accrual of any supervised fieldwork hours, the following critical components must be in place to adhere to BACB guidelines and ethical standards:
Signed Supervision Contract: A fully executed, written agreement between the supervisor and the trainee detailing the scope, expectations, activities, frequency, and responsibilities, as required by the BACB.
Supervisor Qualification: I must be an active BCBA (or BCBA-D) who has completed the 8-hour supervision training (and any ongoing CE requirements).
Trainee Coursework Eligibility: The trainee must be enrolled in a qualifying behavior-analytic course sequence/degree program and have their coursework started/completed (depending on the timing of their fieldwork).
Defined Scope and Competence: I must have verified that the tasks and population the trainee will be working with are within my scope of competence, or that a qualified consultant is in place.
Sample Answer
This is an excellent, ethical, and required step before beginning the supervisory relationship. As a newly certified professional, I will ensure strict adherence to the BACB ® Ethics Code for Behavior Analysts (specifically Section 4: Responsibility to Supervisees and Trainees) and the Supervised Fieldwork Requirements.
Here is the Task Analysis I will follow to set up the supervisory relationship prior to the first supervision meeting:
Task Analysis for Setting Up the Supervisory Relationship
| Step | Action Item | BACB Guidance/Ethics Code Principle |