Washington Administrative Code › Title 246 - Health, Department of › PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS AND LICENSING › Chapter 246-924 - Psychologists › Section 246-924-160 - Continued supervision of persons receiving certificates of qualification

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) The law
				requires holders of a certificate of qualifications to perform psychological
				functions "under the periodic direct supervision of a psychologist licensed by
				the board." The board's interpretation of this statement is that a holder of a
				certificate of qualification, referred to as a "psychological assistant," is
				certified
in tandem
with a licensed psychologist and not in
				his or her own right. The board will evaluate, at the same time, the
				professional capabilities of the certificate of qualifications applicant, and
				the qualifications of the licensed psychologist to supervise the psychological
				assistant in the specific professional functions outlined by the psychological
				assistant. The board must examine and approve the professional qualifications
				of the psychological assistant applicant and the licensed psychologist and
				their supervisor-supervisee agreement. The board does not approve specific work
				conditions, fees, salaries, and related factors as relevant to the nature and
				quality of the professional relationship or services offered to the
				public.
(2) The applicant must
				indicate on the application form, in detail, his or her areas of intended
				practice. After initial screening (evaluation of the person's education,
				experience, and supervision) and passing the written examinations, the
				applicant shall furnish the board with a plan for continued supervision, which
				will include detailed information regarding the supervisor, which indicates an
				agreement to supervise.
(3) Minimum
				supervision shall include discussion of the psychological assistant's work
				through regularly scheduled contacts with the supervisor at appropriate
				intervals. Whenever possible, supervision should consist of occasional direct
				observation or review of recorded case material. The supervisor shall be
				responsible for preparing evaluative reports of the psychological assistant's
				performance, which will be forwarded to the board on a periodic
				basis.
(4) When a licensed
				psychologist assumes the responsibility of supervision, he or she shares the
				professional and ethical responsibility for the nature and quality of all of
				the psychological services the psychological assistant may provide. Failure to
				provide supervision as described in the agreement may result in appropriate
				action against the license of the supervisor.
(5) Interruption or termination of a
				supervisory relationship shall be promptly communicated to the board by the
				supervisor or the psychological assistant.
(6) In every case where psychological testing
				is done and a report is written based on that testing by a psychological
				assistant, the supervising licensed psychologist will countersign the report
				indicating his or her approval.
(7)
				An applicant or holder of a certificate may apply to the board for authority to
				work without immediate supervision in particular areas of function. In these
				cases, the board may require further evidence of proficiency. Even though the
				immediate supervision requirement is waived for the psychological assistant,
				periodic supervisory consultation as deemed appropriate by the board is
				required. Evidence of supervisory consultation must be submitted to the
				department of health with the annual license renewal fee.
(8) The board will conduct appropriate review
				and make its decision under this section for any application submitted under
				WAC 246-924-150 for certification of
				an additional area of function.
Statutory Authority:
					 RCW
					 18.83.050. 08-09-100, § 246-924-160,
					 filed 4/21/08, effective 5/22/08; 91-04-020 (Order 117B), recodified as §
					 246-924-160, filed 1/28/91, effective 2/28/91. Statutory Authority:
					 RCW
					 18.83.090. 89-19-053 (Order PM 862), §
					 308-122-440, filed 9/19/89, effective 10/20/89; Order PL 202, §
					 308-122-440, filed 10/1/75.