Confidentiality
Provide a basic definition of what confidentiality means as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor.
a promise or contract to respect the privacy of clients by not disclosing anything revealed to rehabilitation counselors except under agreed-upon conditions.
CRCC Code of Ethics Glossary of Terms
What documents are required to be in case files at all times?
-Signed Agreement of Understanding
-Release of Information
-Signed Financial (if applicable)
-Medical Documentation
-Certification of Eligibility/Eligibility Decision
-Any documents showing client progress (PRs and ARs)
-SSI/SSDI, Benefits Counseling Information
-Signed Copies of IPE (amendments and revisions)
-All Extensions
Define 'Informed Consent' and how you would explain this term to your clients.
Rehabilitation counselors recognize that clients have the freedom to choose whether to enter into or remain in a professional relationship. Rehabilitation counselors respect the rights of clients to participate in ongoing rehabilitation counseling planning and to make decisions to refuse any services or modality changes, while also ensuring that clients are advised of the consequences of such refusal. Rehabilitation counselors recognize that clients need information to make an informed decision regarding services and that professional disclosure must be an ongoing part of the rehabilitation counseling process so clients are able to provide informed consent. Rehabilitation counselors appropriately document discussions of disclosure and informed consent throughout the professional relationship.
CRCC Code of Ethics Section A.3.B
What are some ways in which Rehabilitation Counselors can maintain a sense of professional responsibility?
Counselors should 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.
CRCC Code of Ethics Section D
What is a situation within VR where a professional's approach may differ than yours (but is still grounded in theory?)
How do you remain respectful of their expertise and opinions while accomplishing the common goal?
Rehabilitation counselors are respectful of approaches that are grounded in theory and/or have an empirical or scientific foundation but may differ from their own. Rehabilitation counselors acknowledge the expertise of other professional groups and are respectful of their practices.
CRCC Code of Ethics E.1.a
When is it appropriate for Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors to solicit detailed private/personal information from clients?
Rehabilitation counselors solicit private information from clients ONLY when it is beneficial to the rehabilitation counseling process.
Section B.1 CRCC Code of Ethics
AKA--Nosy or Necessary?
When can failing to determine eligibility be considered an ethical issue?
Having all the required medical information/benefits information and still failing to complete an eligibility within the allowable time frame.
Rehabilitation counselors must communicate information in ways that are both developmentally and culturally appropriate. Give an example of how you might do that with your specific caseload.
CRCC Code of Ethics A.3.C
Examples: Interpreters, Change Vocabulary
According to the CRCC Code of Ethics, Rehabilitation counselors should continually monitor their effectiveness as professionals and, when necessary, take steps to improve performance through ____________.
How can you as a counselor make sure that you are fulfilling these responsibilities?
-supervision, consultation, webinars, ongoing in-person trainings, conferences…..
CRCC Code of Ethics Section D
What does teamwork mean to you in the specific context of the AUO and ethics?
Rehabilitation counselors who are members of interdisciplinary teams delivering multifaceted services to clients must keep the focus on how to serve clients best. They participate in and contribute to decisions that affect the well-being of clients by drawing on the perspectives, values, and experiences of their profession and those of colleagues from other disciplines. Rehabilitation counselors promote mutual understanding of rehabilitation plans by all team members cooperating in the rehabilitation of clients.
CRCC Code of Ethics E.2.a Organization and Team relationships
What are the exceptions to confidentiality for Vocational Rehabilitation Counselors?
1. SERIOUS OR FORESEEABLE HARM AND LEGAL REQUIREMENTS.
2. CONTAGIOUS, LIFE-THREATENING DISEASES.
3. COURT-ORDERED DISCLOSURE.
4.
MINIMAL DISCLOSURE. When circumstances require the disclosure of confidential information rehabilitation counselors clarify the nature of information being requested and make reasonable efforts to ensure only necessary information is revealed.
CRCC Code of Ethics Section B.2
Why is clean, timely, and accurate casework important as it relates to the code of ethics?
REQUIREMENT OF RECORDS AND DOCUMENTATION. Rehabilitation counselors include sufficient and timely documentation in the records of their clients to facilitate the delivery and continuity of needed services. Rehabilitation counselors make reasonable efforts to ensure that documentation in records accurately reflects progress and services provided to clients. If errors are made in records, rehabilitation counselors take steps to properly note the correction of such errors according to organizational policies.
CRCC Code of Ethics Section B.6.A
Clients have a right to not have counselors impose their own personal values, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors during the counseling relationship. What might be a way that a counselor could unintentionally project their own ideas/opinions onto a client? Bonus: As a counselor, how can you avoid this?
Political Views, Religious Views, Substance Use, Gender Identity/Sexual Orientation
CRCC Code of Ethics Section A.4
How can you as a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor remain aware and mindful of principles of cultural competency/diversity?
a. CULTURAL COMPETENCY. Rehabilitation counselors develop and maintain knowledge, personal awareness, sensitivity, and skills and demonstrate a disposition reflective of a culturally competent rehabilitation counselor working with diverse client populations.
b. INTERVENTIONS. Rehabilitation counselors develop and adapt interventions and services to incorporate consideration of cultural perspectives of clients and recognition of barriers external to clients that may interfere with achieving effective rehabilitation outcomes.
c. NONDISCRIMINATION. Rehabilitation counselors do not condone or engage in the prejudicial treatment of an individual or group based on their actual or perceived membership in a particular group, class, or category.
CULTURAL COMPETENCE: possessing a set of values and principles, and demonstrating behavior, attitude, knowledge, and skill that enable one to work effectively cross-culturally with the capacity to value diversity, conduct self-assessment, manage the dynamics of difference, acquire and institutionalize cultural knowledge, and adapt to diversity and the cultural contexts of the individuals and communities served.
CRCC Code of Ethics Glossary
****This includes the attempt to "cherry-pick" clients and any/all forms of discrimination/prejudice as it relates to gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, religious affiliation, political views, etc.
According to the code, what most accurately describes the individuals that we serve?
A- Client
B- Team member
C- Patient
D-Friend
B- Team Member
d. CLIENTS AS TEAM MEMBERS. Rehabilitation counselors make reasonable efforts to ensure that clients and/or their legally authorized representatives are afforded the opportunity for full participation in decisions related to the services they receive. Only those with a need to know are allowed access to the information of clients, and only then upon a properly executed release of information request or receipt of a court order.
CRCC Code of Ethics E.2.D
Sharon from Vaya has called and is requesting an update on (client) Timothy's VR case. You as the counselor are unaware of him having a case worker through Vaya. What is your next step?
RESPECT FOR CONFIDENTIALITY. Rehabilitation counselors do not share confidential information without consent from clients or without sound legal or ethical justification. Rehabilitation counselors do not release confidential records without a signed authorization to release information, except allowed by law or required by court order.
CRCC Code of Ethics B.1
When is it appropriate to release records to a third party?
-With a signed consent
-Not able to re-release records, those must be obtained by the original source
True or False: VR Counselors are prohibited from having virtual "relationships" with clients on Social Media.
TRUE
PERSONAL VIRTUAL RELATIONSHIPS WITH CURRENT CLIENTS. Rehabilitation counselors are prohibited from engaging in personal virtual relationships with current clients (e.g., through social media).
CRCC Code of Ethics Section A.4.F
How does Veracity (to be honest) specifically apply in the context of Vocational Rehabilitation and how does it relates to your professional responsibility?
VERACITY. Rehabilitation counselors do not engage in any act or omission of a dishonest, deceitful, or fraudulent nature in the conduct of their professional activities.
CRCC Code of Ethics Section D5
Examples: misrepresentation as it relates to recording contact with clients, lack of or fraudulent case work, misrepresenting your client to an outside provider/third party
A CRP has decided that they are going to be putting your client into stabilization. You disagree with this decision and feel the client needs more training. What do you do next?
Rehabilitation counselors implement team decisions in rehabilitation plans and procedures, even when not personally agreeing with such decisions, unless these decisions breach the Code. When team decisions raise ethical concerns, rehabilitation counselors first attempt to resolve the concerns within the team. If they cannot reach resolution among team members, rehabilitation counselors recuse themselves and consider other approaches to address their concerns consistent with the well-being of clients.
CRCC Code of Ethics E.2.b Team Decision Making
What are 5 ways that the Asheville Unit Office can improve on protecting client privacy while also maintaining confidentiality?
-Keep computer stations locked when not there
-Keep client information in files and put away
-Keep client discussions to a minimum outside of your office
-Use email encryption when possible
-Label Outlook calendar correctly
When should counselors consider the impact of providing clients with records/assessments?
When records may be sensitive, confusing, or detrimental to clients, rehabilitation counselors have a responsibility to exercise judgment regarding the timing and manner in which the information is shared and to educate clients regarding such information.
B.6.C
How should counselors handle situations in which they might be asked to provide services to two or more persons who have a relationship (e.g., husband/wife; parent/child)?
Talk to a supervisor. If it becomes apparent that rehabilitation counselors may be called upon to perform potentially conflicting roles, rehabilitation counselors clarify, adjust, or withdraw from roles appropriately.
CRCC Code of Ethics Section A.6
What are the six values under the code of ethics for Rehabilitation Counselors?
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.
CRC Code of Ethics Preamble
How are you currently making the Asheville Unit an ethical office and functional interdisciplinary team?
E.2.a- Teamwork
Professional Relationships
Abiding by the code of ethics
Documentation Quality Service delivery
Respecting privacy and confidentiality
ETC