Ethical Considerations for Remote Supervisors

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