RBT Professional Conduct and Ethics 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: According to the BACB Ethics Code, an RBT must practice under the close, ongoing supervision of:
- Another RBT
- A BCBA, BCaBA, or other qualified supervisor (Correct answer)
- A teacher
- A parent of the client
Correct answer: A BCBA, BCaBA, or other qualified supervisor
RBTs must practice under the close, ongoing supervision of a BCBA, BCaBA, or another qualified supervisor as defined by the BACB. The supervisor is responsible for overseeing the RBT's work and ensuring proper implementation of services.
Question 2: What should an RBT do if asked to implement a procedure they have not been trained on?
- Try their best to figure it out
- Refuse to implement it and inform the supervisor they need training (Correct answer)
- Implement it anyway to avoid conflict
- Ask a coworker who also has not been trained
Correct answer: Refuse to implement it and inform the supervisor they need training
RBTs should only implement procedures they have been properly trained on. If asked to implement an unfamiliar procedure, the RBT should inform their supervisor that they need training before implementation to ensure client safety and treatment integrity.
Question 3: An RBT's neighbor asks about one of the RBT's clients. The RBT should:
- Share general information without using the client's name
- Discuss the client openly since the neighbor is trustworthy
- Decline to provide any information about clients due to confidentiality (Correct answer)
- Share information only if the neighbor promises not to tell anyone
Correct answer: Decline to provide any information about clients due to confidentiality
Confidentiality is a fundamental ethical principle. RBTs must not share any client information with unauthorized individuals, regardless of the relationship or perceived trustworthiness. Information should only be shared with authorized parties.
Question 4: What is the RBT's responsibility regarding documentation?
- Documentation is the BCBA's responsibility only
- The RBT must accurately document services provided, data collected, and any notable events (Correct answer)
- Documentation is optional for RBTs
- The RBT only documents when problems occur
Correct answer: The RBT must accurately document services provided, data collected, and any notable events
RBTs are responsible for accurately documenting services rendered, data collected, session notes, and any notable events or incidents. Proper documentation is essential for continuity of care, treatment decisions, and ethical/legal compliance.
Question 5: An RBT discovers that a colleague is fabricating data. The RBT should:
- Ignore it to avoid conflict
- Report the concern to their supervisor or through the appropriate reporting channels (Correct answer)
- Help the colleague fix the data
- Only intervene if a client is physically harmed
Correct answer: Report the concern to their supervisor or through the appropriate reporting channels
Fabricating data is a serious ethical violation that can harm clients through incorrect treatment decisions. The RBT has an ethical obligation to report this concern to their supervisor or through appropriate channels to protect client welfare.
Question 6: What is a dual relationship in the context of RBT ethics?
- Working with two clients at the same time
- Having a professional and personal relationship with a client or their family (Correct answer)
- Being supervised by two BCBAs
- Working at two different ABA agencies
Correct answer: Having a professional and personal relationship with a client or their family
A dual (or multiple) relationship occurs when a professional has both a professional relationship and another type of relationship (personal, financial, social) with a client or family member. These can impair professional judgment and should be avoided.
RBT Professional Conduct and Ethics 1
According to the BACB Ethics Code, an RBT must practice under the close, ongoing supervision of: