The State of Professional Practice and the New Code of Ethics

The State of Professional Practice and the New Code of Ethics

A Conversation Regarding: - Professionalism vs De-professionalism. - The relationship of Licensure, Certification, and Associations. - How Ethics Contributes to the Profession. - The New 2017 Code of Ethics

To define the profession and accepted/acceptable behaviors To promote high standards of practice To provide a benchmark for members to use for self evaluation To establish a framework for professional behavior and responsibilities

- Mastery of and sharing common knowledge, skills, and values. - Obtaining an elevated status in society, set apart from other occupations (CRC/LPC) - Claim the right to structure and regulate the education and credentialing systems that entitle members to practice. - A Core description of the characteristics of those individuals who are practitioners in the profession. - The right of autonomy at work and the collective right to exert exclusive authority over members professional integrity (the right of peer review) - Development of an Ethical Code.

INTRODUCTION Rehabilitation counselors aspire to open, honest, and accurate communication in dealing with other professionals and the public. Rehabilitation counselors facilitate access to rehabilitation counseling services, practice in a nondiscriminatory manner within the boundaries of professional and personal competence, and have a responsibility to abide by the Code. Rehabilitation counselors actively participate in professional associations and organizations that foster the development and improvement of the profession in order to improve the quality of life for individuals with disabilities. Rehabilitation counselors have a responsibility to the public to engage in practices that are based on accepted research methodologies and evidence-based practices. Rehabilitation counselors are encouraged to contribute to society by devoting a portion of their professional activity to services for which there is little or no financial return (pro bono publico). In addition, rehabilitation counselors engage in self-care activities to maintain and promote their own emotional, physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing to best meet their professional responsibilities. They advocate for hiring practices that promote the hiring of certified rehabilitation counselors.

D.1. PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE c. EMPLOYMENT QUALIFICATIONS. Rehabilitation counselors accept employment only for positions for which they are qualified by education, training, supervised experience, professional credentials, and appropriate professional experience. Rehabilitation counselors hire individuals for rehabilitation counseling positions who are qualified and competent for those positions.

Educational Accreditation As recognized by the: Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) CORE (Council on Rehabilitation Education) 96 universities are accredited. CACREP 116 universities have accreditation in process. 735 current universities have CACREP accreditation. 11 universities have a specific Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling Programs.

Concerns over restriction of practice. A. TRICARE Insurance to recognize graduates of CACREP programs. B. The VA decision to hire only CACREP grads for MH practice. C. The US Army decision to only hire CACREP grads for addictions practice. D. WIOA not recognizing masters level rehabilitation counselors. E. Notice of proposed rulemaking- RSA- no recognition of CORE accredited programs by NCRE, RCC, CRCC

CRCC /CRC / CRC code of ethics Accepted in 12 states, and separately in 3 departmental policies. NBCC /NCE / NBCC code of ethics & ACA code of ethics* Accepted in all 50 states NBCC only accepting graduates from CACREP programs to sit for the NCE as of 2022 Licensure: Serves to secure the disciplines right to practice. Varies from State to State. Movement by counselor licensure boards to only accept graduates from CACREP only accredited programs (e.g. Kentucky)

Advocacy and education in the interest of the profession. Professional identity Public awareness Unifies political action Forum for intraprofessional communication

School Accreditation Credentialing/ Licensure Recognition by Field / Society / Employer Professional Associations

The process by which highly educated and skilled professionals are first displaced then replaced with individuals of inferior training and compensation. Described as a trend that results in Reduction in educational requirements. An assumption of interchangeability of bachelor s degrees with higher level education. Reorganization of jobs to reduce educational requirements (such as clinical rehabilitation case manager, rehabilitation counseling case management specialist, and rehabilitation counseling service worker). Non-recognition of the exclusivity of training.

The independent self-regulation of an enforceable code of ethics is considered to be the most important criteria of overall professionalism. (Hartley, Cartwright) Ethics represent a portion of the overall standard of a practice.

Professional Standards The professional criteria indicating acceptable professional performance. Three types of standards (Tavydas) Internal Standards: code of ethics; practice guidelines Clinical Standards for the individual practitioner: best practices, care pathways, External Regulatory Standards: codes of conduct in licensure statues, community professional standards and quality assurance review standards

D.1. PROFESSIONAL COMPETENCE c. EMPLOYMENT QUALIFICATIONS. Rehabilitation counselors accept employment only for positions for which they are qualified by education, training, supervised experience, professional credentials, and appropriate professional experience. Rehabilitation counselors hire individuals for rehabilitation counseling positions who are qualified and competent for those positions.

CRCC Code of Professional Ethics for Rehabilitation Counselors (http://www.crccertification.com/pages/crc_ccrc_code_of_ethics/10. php) Standards of Conduct for Public Officers and Employees (excerpt provided from State Board of Ethics http://www.michigan.gov/mdcs/0,4614,7-147-32705---,00.html) Agency Policies and Procedures State / Federal law

To define the profession and accepted/acceptable behaviors. To promote high(er) standards of practice. To provide a benchmark for members to use for self evaluation. To establish a framework for professional behavior and responsibilities.

Autonomy: To respect the rights of clients to be self-governing within their social and cultural framework. Beneficence: To do good to others; to promote the well-being of clients. Fidelity: To be faithful; to keep promises and honor the trust placed in rehabilitation counselors. Justice: To be fair in the treatment of all clients; to provide appropriate services to all. Nonmaleficence: To do no harm to others. Veracity: To be honest.

A code of ethics is the identifier that most directly and visibly defines a profession for its stakeholders. One might suggest academic literature or clinical tools/practices. However, public, legislators and regulation bodies are often concerned with the ability to demonstrate responsible practice and regulation of its members. The challenge is if the public, legislators, and regulators do not recognize or value the definitions of appropriate levels of practice or profession. (Tarvydas, Cottone, 2000. The Code of Ethics for Professional Rehabilitation Counselors) A code of ethics serves to bind the field together and provide/define appropriate practice. What practices should be considered as standard for our field. Serve to unite the field in its central concern

The Cannons are general standards of an aspirational and inspirational nature that reflect the fundamental spirit of caring and respect which professionals share. The Rules are more exacting / enforceable standards intended to provide guidance in specific circumstances

Vocational Counseling and Employer Consultation Services Medical and Psychosocial Aspects of Disability Individual and Group Counseling Program Evaluation and Research Case Management and Services Coordination Family, Gender, and Multicultural Issues Foundations of Rehabilitation Workers Compensation Environmental and Attitudinal Barriers Assessment

assessment and appraisal; diagnosis and treatment planning; career (vocational) counseling; individual and group counseling treatment interventions focused on facilitating adjustments to the medical and psychosocial impact of disability; case management, referral, and service coordination; program evaluation and research; interventions to remove environmental, employment, and attitudinal barriers; consultation services among multiple parties and regulatory systems; job analysis, job development, and placement services, including assistance with employment and job accommodations; and provision of consultation about and access to rehabilitation technology.

Ethics: Standards of conduct for a specific profession that include how one should behave based on moral duties and virtues Laws: A rule or set of rules enforceable by the courts and legal system Values: Core beliefs or desires that guide or motivate attitudes and actions Moral Behavior: Obligation to act according to moral principles. Moral duties establish the minimal standards of ethical conduct

Time to dive into the comparison of the new code with the old.

Old: 8(ish) paragraphs over two pages. New 7 sections over three pages. Some new language for the Scope of Practice. Links to web page for Scope of Practice. Three new Primary Values are added. New section on Commitment to Cultural Diversity.- non disabled services removed from Client/Evaluee section.

New within each section is an introduction Example Section A the Counseling Relationship. Do the contribute towards greater understanding of the section? Ae they needed; Are they complete?

A couple of examples