N.J. Admin. Code § 13:34C-6.2 - Clinical supervision of alcohol and drug counselor internship training experiences

(a) The following individuals may be qualified clinical supervisors of alcohol and drug counselor interns:

1. A New Jersey licensed clinical alcohol and drug counselor. Effective June 2, 2021, to be a qualified clinical supervisor, a New Jersey licensed clinical alcohol and drug counselor shall hold a current Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS) certification from an ICRC member board.

i. A New Jersey licensed clinical alcohol and drug counselor who, prior to June 2, 2021, was engaging in clinical supervision and is unable, due to extenuating circumstances, to obtain the CCS certification by June 2, 2021, may apply for an extension. If the Committee determines that the licensee is unable to obtain the CCS certification due to extenuating circumstances, the Committee shall grant the licensee an extension. Such application shall be filed with the Committee at least 30 days prior to June 2, 2021;

2. A New Jersey licensed physician, who is certified by the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) or a psychiatrist with added qualifications in chemical dependency from the American Psychiatric Association;

3. A New Jersey certified advanced practice nurse, licensed psychologist, licensed clinical social worker, licensed marriage and family therapist, or licensed professional counselor, who holds a current Certified Clinical Supervisor (CCS) certification from an ICRC member board ; and

4. A New Jersey licensed clinical alcohol and drug counselor who is also a New Jersey certified advanced practice nurse, licensed psychologist, licensed clinical social worker, licensed marriage and family therapist, or licensed professional counselor, is deemed a qualified supervisor by the other respective professional licensing board, and who has three years of clinical experience in alcohol and drug counseling.

i. The three years of clinical experience shall include hours earned as part of an individual's internship training. At least one year of the required experience shall be obtained after holding a license as a clinical alcohol and drug counselor.

ii. If the other professional licensing board does not have specific statutory or regulatory requirements to qualify a licensee to supervise clinical mental health services, the Committee will, on a case-by-case basis, consider that dual-licensee's supervisory experience to determine whether to waive the CCS requirement.

(b) Qualified clinical supervisors shall have written agreements with alcohol and drug counselor interns that outline planned hours of practice, planned hours of clinical supervision, types of clinical supervision, nature of work assignments and other specifications that the qualified clinical supervisor deems appropriate to the alcohol and drug counselor intern's level of training.

(c) Prior to the alcohol and drug counselor intern's provision of treatment services, the supervisor shall obtain a written disclosure that the client has been informed that the services are provided by an alcohol and drug counselor intern under the clinical supervision of a qualified clinical supervisor as set forth in (a) above. This disclosure shall be kept as part of the client record. If the disclosure is part of another document provided at client orientation, the disclosure shall be clearly evident, understood and signed by the client.

(d) The qualified clinical supervisor shall retain responsibility for collecting fees from clients when applicable.

(e) The qualified clinical supervisor shall be ultimately responsible for the welfare of the client with respect to the treatment being offered by the alcohol and drug counselor intern.

(f) The qualified clinical supervisor shall supervise only in areas of which he or she possesses the required skill, training and experience.

(g) Qualified clinical supervisors shall co-sign all diagnostic summaries, treatment plans, reports to courts, agencies or other treatment providers, which are prepared by alcohol and drug counselor interns. All diagnoses shall be made by the qualified clinical supervisor and shall not be delegated to an alcohol and drug counselor intern.

(h) Qualified clinical supervisors shall be responsible for assisting the alcohol and drug counselor intern to function in a professional manner and comply within all State and Federal regulations and with the current professional code of ethics. The qualified clinical supervisor shall inform the Committee of violations of this chapter, laws and code of ethics and the corrective action taken by the qualified clinical supervisor to remedy the situation and assure that it will not reoccur.

(i) Qualified clinical supervisors shall not supervise an alcohol and drug counselor intern with whom the qualified clinical supervisor has a relationship, which may compromise the objectivity of the supervisor or impair the professional judgment of the supervisor. Examples of inappropriate supervisory relationships include, but are not limited to, current clients, former clients within one-year period post-treatment, former spouses, relatives, sponsor/sponsee relationships in self-help groups, anyone with whom the supervisor is having a sexual relationship or has had a sexual relationship within the past 24 months. A qualified clinical supervisor shall not supervise a current student unless the supervisor is the faculty instructor in the academic internship training program.

(j) Qualified clinical supervisors shall evaluate alcohol and drug counselor interns at least twice a year, emphasizing their strengths and shortcomings, as well as whether the alcohol and drug counselor intern needs to pursue additional knowledge and/or skill development. These evaluations shall be signed by both the supervisor and alcohol and drug counselor intern, and copies shall be retained by both for seven years. Copies of these evaluations may be requested by the Committee prior to initial certification or licensure.

(k) Clinical supervision of alcohol and drug counselor interns shall include at least 50 hours of face-to-face supervision per year, averaging one hour per week. No more than 25 hours shall be group supervision.

(l) All qualified clinical supervisors of alcohol and drug counselor interns shall obtain Committee approval prior to commencing the supervisory relationship with the alcohol and drug counselor intern. A qualified clinical supervisor shall submit evidence, on forms provided by the Committee, that he or she has satisfied all applicable requirements of this subchapter.

Notes

N.J. Admin. Code § 13:34C-6.2

Amended by 51 N.J.R. 1761(a), effective 12/2/2019