Supervision of Student Clinicians

Issues in Ethics Statements: Definition

From time to time, the Board of Ethics determines that members and certificate holders can benefit from additional analysis and instruction concerning a specific issue of ethical conduct. Issues in Ethics statements are intended to heighten sensitivity and increase awareness. They are illustrative of the Code of Ethics and intended to promote thoughtful consideration of ethical issues. They may assist members and certificate holders in engaging in self-guided ethical decision-making. These statements do not absolutely prohibit or require specified activity. The facts and circumstances surrounding a matter of concern will determine whether the activity is ethical. This statement replaces an earlier version (1991) with the same title.

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Introduction

American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) members and certificate holders are employed in a variety of work settings and are required by their employers, by their states, and by governmental agencies, as well as by ASHA, to comply with prescribed personnel standards. The specific standards of these groups can and do differ. However, under the Code of Ethics, members and certificate holders delivering or supervising clinical services must hold ASHA certification in the area of their clinical or supervisory work regardless of the work setting, state, or jurisdiction in which they are employed.

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Discussion

Discrepancies may exist among state requirements for supervision required for teacher certification in speech-language pathology and audiology, state licensure in the professions of speech-language pathology and/or audiology, and ASHA certification standards. In states where credential requirements or state licensure requirements differ from ASHA certification standards, supervised clinical experiences (including student practica for teacher licensing) will count toward or may be applied toward ASHA certification (CCC) requirements only if those practicum hours have been supervised by ASHA-certified personnel.

The Board of Ethics cites and interprets the following sections of the Code of Ethics (2003) that pertain to this issue:

• Principle of Ethics I: Individuals shall honor their responsibility to hold paramount the welfare of persons they serve professionally or participants in research and scholarly activities and shall treat animals involved in research in a humane manner.

• Principle of Ethics II, Rule A: Individuals shall engage in the provision of clinical services only when they hold the appropriate Certificate of Clinical Competence or when they are in the certification process and are supervised by an individual who holds the appropriate Certificate of Clinical Competence.

• Principle of Ethics II, Rule D: Individuals shall delegate the provision of clinical services only to (1) persons who hold the appropriate Certificate of Clinical Competence; (2) persons in the education or certification process who are appropriately supervised by an individual who holds the appropriate Certificate of Clinical Competence; or (3) assistants, technicians, or support personnel who are adequately supervised by an individual who holds the appropriate Certificate of Clinical Competence.

• Principle of Ethics IV, Rule B: Individuals shall not engage in dishonesty, fraud, deceit, misrepresentation, sexual harassment, or any other form of conduct that adversely reflects on the professions or on the individual's fitness to serve persons professionally.

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Guidance

ASHA-certified personnel cannot sign for clinical practicum experiences that were actually supervised by non-ASHA-certified individuals. It is unethical for certificate holders to approve or sign for clinical hours for which they did not provide supervision.

ASHA members and certificate holders engaged in the preparation, placement, and supervision of student clinicians must make every reasonable effort to ensure that direct practicum supervision is provided only by professionals holding the appropriate CCC. They must inform students who engage in student practica for teacher licensing, or other clinical practica under a non-ASHA-certified supervisor that these experiences cannot be applied to ASHA certification.