21 NCAC 54 .2801. SCOPE

(a)  Pursuant to G.S. 90-270.21, licensed psychologists (provisional and permanent), licensed psychological associates, or temporary licensees, all of whom shall be identified as "psychologists" under G.S. 90-270.2(9), may employ or supervise unlicensed individuals to provide ancillary services.  The psychologist shall, at all times, retain full professional responsibility for the quality of the services rendered and for the effects of the services upon the client, patient, or other individuals.  This responsibility for the quality of services delivered by supervisees and for the welfare of the client or patient shall be no different than if the psychologist had provided the services in person.  The psychologist shall have had face-to-face contact during the course of services with all patients, clients, or other recipients of services who are provided ancillary services by unlicensed persons as part of the psychologist’s services.

(b)  Ancillary services shall be considered to be only those activities which an individual shall engage in for the purpose of providing assistance to a psychologist in providing psychological services to patients, clients, and their families.  Not included as ancillary services are those clerical and administrative services which are not directly related to assisting a psychologist in the provision of psychological services.

(c)  Failure of any psychologist to train ancillary services personnel, to ensure that training has occurred, or to supervise ancillary services personnel may subject that psychologist to disciplinary action pursuant to G.S. 90-270.15(a).

(d)  The Board shall have the authority to restrict or revoke a psychologist's privilege to utilize unlicensed individuals to provide ancillary services for the following reasons:

(1)           evidence that the psychologist is not competent to supervise ancillary services personnel;

(2)           evidence that the psychologist has failed to adhere to legal or ethical standards;

(3)           evidence that there is a lack of congruence between the psychologist's training, experience, and area of practice and the ancillary services personnel's area(s) of practice;

(4)           evidence that the psychologist has a license against which disciplinary or remedial action has been taken; or

(5)           evidence that an unlicensed person in the psychologist's employment or under the psychologist's supervision has violated any provision of G.S. 90-270.15(a), which would otherwise apply to licensed individuals.

 

History Note:        Authority G.S. 90-270.9; 90-270.21;

Eff. April 1, 2003.