BCBA Apprentice Job Description

THE APPRENTICE: AN INNOVATIVE APPROACH1

Appendix A

Position: BCBA Apprentice

Reports to: BCBA

Status: Hourly

Little Star Center (LSC) provides year-round therapeutic intervention for children with autism based on the science of Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA).Little Star provides an atmosphere where children, technicians, and families can interact and support each other. Through oversight and evaluation of individual programs, Little Star can achieve its mission of ensuring that each child can reach their full potential at home and in a variety of settings outside of therapy.

Summary: The BCBA Apprentice is responsible for assisting an assigned BCBA with indirect supervision tasks for a caseload of learners.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Design, implement, and systematically monitor skill-acquisition and behavior reduction programs under the supervision of a BCBA
Assist the BCBA by researching the literature related to specific learners’ programs
Oversee the implementation of behavior-analytic programs by others
Assist the BCBA by conducting assessments related to the need for behavioral intervention (e.g., stimulus preference assessment, functional assessment, staff performance assessment)
Assist the BCBA by writing objectives to be tested for initial assessments and assisting with initial assessments in any other way needed
Analyze and summarize results of assessments and graphs results as needed
Write 6-month progress reports with supervision and guidance by the BCBA
Train, and design behavioral systems and performance management for,technicians
Conduct naturalistic observation of learners as directed by the BCBA
Provide staff and caregiver training
Meet with the supervising BCBA at least once per week to discuss learner progress and behavior analytic tasks that must be completed for each learner
Facilitate one team meeting for a learner every other week, with supervision and feedback from BCBA
Conduct approximately one learner observation per week by giving feedback and instruction to technicians, with supervision and feedback from BCBA
Write monthly goals for learners as directed by the BCBA
Create weekly acquisition sheets and update throughout the week as needed
Test the learners for skill generalization
Assist with the implementation of an assigned learner’s behavior deceleration plan, as needed
Analyze and graph learner data as directed by the BCBA
Create and update data sheets
Be available to answer questions of technicians working on learners’ cases
Assist the BCBA with answering emails from parents
Followup with the caregivers to ensure generalization of learner objectives
Check the learners’ acquisition books for accuracy regarding data collection
Create, prepare, and update acquisition program materials for learners
Make adjustments and updates to learners’ data sheets as skills meet criteria
Sort, scan, and shred data sheets
Cover technicians’ learners for breaks and lunches
Provides one-on-one therapy as needed
Assist supervising BCBA in any way needed

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Enrolled in graduate-level ABA courses, and actively working towards certification as a BCBA
One year of prior experience conducting ABA therapy with learners with autism

PREFERED EXPERIENCES

Completion of a minimum of 750 direct hours of ABA therapy implementation overseen by a BCBA

I have reviewed the above job description and feel I can fulfill the requirements of this position.

Signature:______Date:______

Appendix B

Temporary Apprentice Job Description

Position: Temporary Apprentice

Reports to: BCBA

Status: Hourly

Little Star Center (LSC) provides year-round therapeutic intervention for children with autism based on the science of applied behavior analysis (ABA).Little Star provides an atmosphere where children, technicians, and families can interact and support each other. Through oversight and evaluation of individual programs, Little Star can achieve its mission of ensuring that each child can reach their full potential at home and in a variety of settings outside of therapy.

Summary: The Temporary Apprentice is responsible for assisting an assigned BCBA with indirect supervision tasks for a caseload of learners.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Design, implement, and systematically monitor skill-acquisition and behavior reduction programs under the supervision of a BCBA
Assist the BCBA by researching the literature related to specific learners’ programs
Oversee the implementation of behavior-analytic programs by others
Assist the BCBA by conducting assessments related to the need for behavioral intervention (e.g., stimulus preference assessment, functional assessment, staff performance assessment)
Assist the BCBA by writing objectives to be tested for initial assessments and assisting with initial assessments in any other way needed
Analyzes and summarizes results of assessments and graphs results as needed
Writes 6-month progress reports with supervision and guidance by the BCBA
Train and design behavioral systems and performance management for technicians
Conduct naturalistic observation of learners as directed by the BCBA
Provide staff and caregiver training
Meet with the supervising BCBA at least once per week to discuss learner progress and behavior analytic tasks that must be completed for each learner
Facilitate one team meeting for a learner every other week, with supervision and feedback from BCBA
Conduct approximately one learner observation per week by giving feedback and instruction to technicians, with supervision and feedback from BCBA
Write monthly goals for learners as directed by the BCBA
Create weekly acquisition sheets and update throughout the week as needed
Test the learners for skill generalization
Assist with the implementation of an assigned learner’s behavior deceleration plan, as needed
Analyze and graph learner data as directed by BCBA
Create and update data sheets
Make oneself available to answer questions of technicians working on learners’ cases
Assist the BCBA with answering emails from parents
Followup with the caregivers to ensure generalization of learner objectives
Check the learner’s acquisition books for accuracy regarding data collection
Create, prepare and update acquisition program materials for learners
Make adjustments and updates to learner’s data sheets as skills meet criteria
Sort, scan, and shred data sheets
Cover technicians’ learners for breaks and lunches
Provides one-on-one therapy as needed
Assist supervising BCBA in any way needed

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

One year of prior experience conducting ABA therapy with learners with autism

PREFERED EXPERIENCES

Enrolled in graduate-level ABA courses, and actively working towards certification as a board certified behavior analyst (BCBA)
Completion of a minimum of 750 direct hours of ABA therapy implementation overseen by a BCBA

I have reviewed the above job description and feel I can fulfill the requirements of this position.

Signature:______Date:______

Appendix C

Supervision Contract

SUPERVISION AGREEMENT FOR EMPLOYEE

This Supervision Agreement For Employee (“Supervision Agreement” or “Agreement”) is entered into and effective the ___ day of ______, 2015 (“Effective Date”), by and among Little Star Center, Inc. (“LSC”), ______(“Supervisor”), and ______(“Supervisee”) (collectively, the “Parties”).

1.Purpose.LSC is a non-profit organization, which provides in-home and center-based applied behavior analysis (ABA) therapy to children, teens, and young adults with autism and offers various programs to those persons and their families. LSC employs independent board certified behavioral analysts (BCBAs) who deliver ABA services to LSC clients.

Supervisor is a BCBA employed by LSC. Supervisor has completed the necessary training requirements of the Behavioral Analyst Certification Board (BACB), including passing the online, competency-based training module on BACB experience standards and passing an 8-hour post-certification, competency-based training on effective supervision.

Supervisee is employed by LSC. Supervisee desires to receive supervision from Supervisor to accumulate supervised independent fieldwork hours in connection with becoming certified as a BCBA or Board Certified Assistant Behavior Analyst (BCaBA).

Therefore, the Parties have entered into this Agreement for the supervision of the delivery of applied behavior analysis services including, but not limited to, the following activities: (a) conducting assessment activities related to the need for behavioral interventions; (b) designing, implementing, and monitoring behavior analysis programs for clients; (c) overseeing the implementation of behavior analysis programs by others; (d) training, designing behavioral systems, and performance management; (e) other activities normally performed by a behavior analyst that are directly related to behavior analysis, which LSC will determine if the activities qualify, such as attending planning meetings regarding the behavior analysis program, researching the literature related to the program, talking to individuals about the program, plus any additional activities related to oversight of behavioral programming such as behavior analyst supervision issues, or evaluation of behavior analysts' performance, and; direct implementation of 1:1 therapy, not to exceed seven hundred fifty (750) hours.

The Parties agree that the responsibilities described in this Supervision Agreement will be carried out in accordance with the BACB’s Guidelines for Responsible Conduct for Behavior Analysts and Professional Disciplinary and Ethical Standards.

2.Eligibility.Supervisee is eligible to receive up to seven hundred fifty (750) hours of experience for the 1:1 therapy Supervisee provides (“1:1 Experience”), which is 50% of the total experience hours needed for BCBA certification by the BACB at a rate of fifteen (15) hours per week, resulting in the total accumulation of those hours within one (1) year.

Supervisee may be eligible to receive the additional seven hundred fifty (750) hours of non-direct implementation experience (“Non-Direct Experience”) once Supervisee has been employed by LSC for at least one (1) year and Supervisee has received three (3) consecutive evaluations from LSC of four (4) or higher overall. Supervisee may accrue a maximum of fifteen (15) hours per week of supervised experience for Non-Direct Experience hours. It is expected that the accumulation of Non-Direct Experience hours will take approximately one and a half (1.5) years. Supervisee is expected to provide Supervisor with a summary of BCBA level activities that occurred during the review period. Supervisee, under the supervision and mentorship of the Supervisor, will provide recommendations for ongoing-BCBA activities.

A minimum of five percent (5%) of the total 1:1 Experience and the Non-Direct Experience hours must be under the direct supervision of the Supervisor (“Direct Supervised Experience”). Consequently, Supervisor and Supervisee shall meet at least once every two (2) weeks for the 5% of the total supervised experience hours needed to complete the BCBA Supervised Independent Fieldwork requirements. A supervision documentation form will be completed at each supervisory interaction. Supervisee will be required to complete each form, make copies of the form and deliver the copy to Supervisor. Supervisor and Supervisee agree to maintain a copy of each signed supervision document including all feedback forms, as well as a copy of this Supervision Agreement.

Supervisee may not begin to receive supervision under this Supervision Agreement until Supervisee has started attending courses required to meet the BACB coursework requirements.

3.Cost of Supervision. Supervisee will receive the 1:1 Experience for no cost. Supervisee may receive the Non-Direct Experience at no cost provided however that if Supervisee does not remain employed by LSC for one (1) additional year following completion of all supervised experience hours, or breaches this Supervision Agreement, then Supervisee must promptly reimburse LSC for each Direct Supervised Experience hour at a rate of Seventy Five Dollars ($75.00) per hour, as determined by LSC. This is in addition to any other remedies or damages LSC may be entitled to under this Supervision Agreement or applicable law. The BCBA will not be required to reimburse LSC if there are no available BCBA positions within the organization commensurate with their experience, and within 30 miles of their supervision location. Supervisor agrees to accept no remuneration from Supervisee or LSC other than their current hourly rate or salary paid by LSC.

4.Responsibilities.Supervisor and Supervisee agree to work together to facilitate in-depth discussion and understanding of issues affecting practice – both personally and professionally – and developing a high level of behavior-analytic expertise. Supervisor agrees to provide specific feedback to Supervisee on performance in interaction the Supervisee has with clients of LSC. This may be conducted via web-camera, videotape, videoconferencing, or similar means in lieu of Supervisor being physically present. Supervisor and Supervisee agree to protect the time and space for supervision, by keeping to agreed appointments and the time allotted. Privacy will be respected and interruptions should be avoided. If Supervisee or Supervisor require a variance in schedule, he/she will notify the other party at the earliest possible time of variance to determine an appropriate time to reschedule.

Supervision of experience hours may be conducted in a small group for no more than half of the total supervised experience hours required per BACB standards.

Supervisee agrees to accumulate the required minimum of ten (10) hours and maximum of (30) hours per week to meet the total fifteen hundred (1500) hours needed to complete the BCBA’s Supervised Independent Fieldwork requirement within approximately two (2) years. LSC agrees to provide Supervisee with the work opportunities necessary to meet this requirement.

During the supervision period, Supervisor shall conduct progress reviews after every one hundred (100) hours of supervision have been acquired. At these reviews, Supervisor will provide feedback to the Supervisee and document whether adequate progress is being made. After two (2) progress reviews during which inadequate progress has been made, the Supervisor must determine whether supervision should continue, and provide in writing the required steps to allow for continued supervision. If the determination is made that supervision should stop, the Supervisor must provide in writing to the Supervisee what areas were lacking adequate progress and determine if any of the hours during that period should be counted toward supervision. As such, there is no guarantee that the Supervisor will sign- off on hours accrued during the one hundred (100) hour period during which Supervisee’s performance was inadequate.

An Experience Verification Form will be signed by the Supervisor when either of the following occur: (a) all experience hours are completed satisfactorily, or: (b) the Supervisor-Supervisee relationship is terminated under positive conditions (e.g. the Supervisee terminates their employment following the guidelines specified under Section 8 below).

The following circumstances would justify a Supervisor immediately terminating supervision and refusing to sign off on a Supervisee’s accrued hours on the Experience Verification Form (i.e., even though those hours were tracked through individual Supervision Documentation Forms): (a) egregious violation of the BACB’s Guidelines for Responsible Conduct for Behavior Analyst, the Professsional and Ethical Compliance Code and/or (b) actions, omission or behavior of Supervisee which jeopardizes the well-being of clients or other LSC employees.

LSC, Supervisor and Supervisee shall be jointly responsible for ensuring that clients have consented to the observation of services delivery and sharing of confidential client information.

5.Responsible Conduct.Supervisor and Supervisee agree to adhere to high standards of professional behavior. This includes behavioral discussions grounded in scientific and professionally derived knowledge. Supervisor will provide supervision to the Supervisee only within the boundaries of his/her competence. Supervisor and Supervisee agree to maintain confidentiality in accordance with the guidelines for responsible conduct and all pertinent legal regulations. Supervisor and Supervisee have read, understood, and will adhere to the BACB’s Guidelines for Responsible Conduct for Behavior Analysts, and Professional and Ethical Compliance Code for Behavior Analysts, including but not limited to sections 1 through 6 as it relates to conduct, responsibility to clients, and assessing behavior. At no point should the activities of Supervisee be detrimental to assigned learner’s progress or job duties.

6.Release and Indemnification.Supervisee agrees to release, defend, indemnify, and hold harmless Supervisor, LSC and its officers, agents, and employees, from and against any and all claims, causes of action, loss, costs, damages and/or expenses (including but not limited to reasonable attorneys’ and paralegal fees), suffered, sustained, incurred or required to be paid by LSC, which arise from, or are alleged to arise from, or relate to (a) any alleged deficiencies or defects in the behavior analysis services rendered by or to be rendered by the Supervisee in accordance with this Supervision Agreement; (b) any breach by Supervisee of any terms of this Supervision Agreement, or applicable laws and regulations, and/or (c) any act or omission of Supervisee in connection with LSC’s business operations and the behavior analysis services provided by Supervisee under or relating to this Supervision Agreement.

Supervisor agrees to release, defend, indemnify, and hold harmless LSC and its officers, agents, and employees, from and against any and all claims, loss, costs, damages and/or expenses (including but not limited to reasonable attorneys’ and paralegal fees), suffered, sustained, incurred or required to be paid by LSC, which arise from or are alleged to arise from, or relate to (a) any asserted deficiencies or defects in the supervision services to be rendered or provided by Supervisor in accordance with this Supervision Agreement; (b) any breach by Supervisor of any terms of this Supervision Agreement, or applicable laws and regulations, and/or (c) any act or omission of Supervisor in connection with LSC’s business operations and the services provided by Supervisor under or relating to this Supervision Agreement.

7.Confidentiality.Supervisor and Supervisee shall keep confidential all information relating to current or potential clients of LSC, including, but not limited to, any medical or clinical information, in whatever form serviced in the course of this Supervision Agreement and any of LSC’s accounting, marketing, financial, strategic, trade secrets or other confidential business information.. The Parties agree this is intended to supplement, but not displace, any other agreements regarding confidentiality which Supervisor and Supervisee have with LSC. Any such agreements are not affected in any way by this Supervision Agreement. In the event that the Parties have executed a separate agreement which relates to confidentiality or confidential information and the terms of that agreement or agreements conflict with the terms of this Supervision Agreement, the terms of the other agreement shall control. The confidentiality obligations under this Supervision Agreement shall survive the termination or expiration of this Supervision Agreement and/or the employment of Supervisor and Supervisee.