PDFWAC 246-811-048
Supervision requirements.
(1) All of the experience required for substance use disorder professional certification must be under the direct supervision of an approved supervisor as defined in WAC 246-811-049.
(2) A substance use disorder professional or an individual credentialed according to WAC 246-811-076 may provide substance use disorder assessment, counseling, and case management to patients consistent with his or her education, training, and experience as documented by the approved supervisor.
(a) The first 50 hours of any face-to-face patient contact must be under direct observation of an approved supervisor or a substance use disorder professional designated by the approved supervisor. If the approved supervisor identifies that additional training is necessary, they may require up to 10 additional hours of direct observation after the first 50 hours have been completed.
(b) An approved supervisor or the approved supervisor's designated certified substance use disorder professional must provide supervision when a supervisee is providing clinical services to patients and be immediately available for consultation.
(c) The first 50 hours of face-to-face patient contact described under subsection (a) of this section shall include at least:
(i) Ten hours in assessments;
(ii) Ten hours in individual counseling facilitation; and
(iii) Ten hours in group counseling facilitation.
(3) The approved supervisor and trainee shall schedule regular supervision meetings either remotely or in-person.
(a) The frequency of supervision meetings shall be at least once a week, which can either be group supervision or individual supervision meetings.
(b) The approved supervisor and trainee shall have at least two individual supervision meetings each month.
(c) The approved supervisor and trainee shall have at least one in-person supervision meeting each month.
(d) The length of each supervision meeting will be determined jointly by the approved supervisor and trainee, consistent with the trainee's education, experience, and skill level.
(4) Within the first week of a supervisor-trainee relationship, the supervisor and trainee shall develop a written plan for supervision and professional development that includes:
(a) Clinical development goals consistent with the trainee's education, experience, and skill level including, if applicable, prior experience earned at a different workplace under a different approved supervisor, as required in WAC 246-811-047;
(b) Ethical standards and expectations, including a detailed review of an industry-recognized code of ethics, such as the NAADAC or NASW code of ethics;
(c) Identification of the appropriate trainee-to-client ratio, consistent with the trainee's education, experience, and skill level;
(d) Identification of an alternate supervisor, if possible, in case the primary supervisor is unavailable for consultation; and
(e) Review of the trainee's academic progress and identification of appropriate training to assist the trainee in professional skills and competency development.
(5) The plan identified by the approved supervisor and trainee under subsection (4) of this section shall be updated and reviewed at least quarterly to track progress and reflect the trainee's development of clinical skills, education, and experience.
(6) An approved supervisor must attest to the department that the supervisee has demonstrated competency in the areas listed in WAC 246-811-047(2) on forms provided by the department.
[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.205.060, 43.70.250, chapter 18.205 RCW, 2023 c 425, 2024 c 371, and 2024 c 366. WSR 25-07-024, s 246-811-048, filed 3/10/25, effective 5/30/25. Statutory Authority: 2019 c 444, 2019 c 446, 2019 c 351, and RCW 18.19.050, 18.205.060, 18.225.040, 43.70.110, and 43.70.250. WSR 20-12-074, § 246-811-048, filed 6/1/20, effective 7/2/20. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.205.100 and 18.205.060. WSR 16-14-052, § 246-811-048, filed 6/29/16, effective 7/30/16. Statutory Authority: Chapter 18.205 RCW. WSR 09-14-111, § 246-811-048, filed 6/30/09, effective 7/1/09. Statutory Authority: RCW 18.205.060(1). WSR 99-13-084, § 246-811-048, filed 6/14/99, effective 7/15/99.]