Forget the Eagles- Are You As Smart as a Buzzard?

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Forget the Eagles-Are You As Smart as a Buzzard?

• How to Avoid Becoming Ethical Roadkill

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First Things First

• In Texas, there are vultures-Turkey Vultures and
  Black Vultures-but Buzzard has a nice ring to
  it-so well call them buzzards
• In reality, our noble Bald Eagle is a member of
  the buteo or buzzard family-so we are in good
  company

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What Are Ethics?

• Broad guidelines for responsible practice

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Why Ethics??

• Ethics protect the welfare of society
• Ethics protect the integrity of the profession

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Buzzards Know

• Buzzards can teach us a lot about the
  foundational principles of ethical behavior

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Are You as Smart as a Buzzard?

• Buzzards do not kill anything.
• Non-maleficence-do no harm
• ACA Code A.4.a
• ASCA Preamble, A.1

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Are You as Smart as a Buzzard?

• Buzzards do a good thing-cleaning up our world.
• Beneficence- Do good.
• ACA Code-A.1a-1e
• ASCA Code-A.1

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Are You as Smart as a Buzzard?

• Buzzards respect each others independence and
  that of others.
• Autonomy Respect independence.
• ACA Code-C.5
• ASCA Code-A.1-a-e

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Are You as Smart as a Buzzard?

• Buzzards take turns and share what they have
  found.
• Justice Be Fair
• ACA Code-C.5
• ASCA Code-Preamble, E.2

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Are You as Smart as a Buzzard?

• Buzzards can always be relied upon to do their
  job, no matter how big it is.
• Fidelity Be trustworthy.
• ACA Code-B,C
• ASCA Code-A-E

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Are You as Smart as a Buzzard?

• Buzzards are not afraid to take on a messy,
  smelly job. (Because they know they are qualified
  to do it.)
• Recognize limitations in training and technique
  and seek continuing education to further our
  skills.
• ACA Code Section C-C-1,C-2,C-4, E-2, F-2
• ASCA Code-A.6e,A.9a,E.1a,d,e,f,g E.2a,b,c

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Are You as Smart as a Buzzard?

• Buzzards rely on others who have needed skills.
• Make referrals when necessary.
• ACA Code-A.9b, A.11
• ASCA Code-A.5

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Are You as Smart as a Buzzard?

• Buzzards work in teams based on the size of the
  job.
• Consult with other counselors on a regular basis.
• ACA Code-C.2.e, D.2,B.8
• ASCA Code-C.2b,c,d,e,C.3b,D.2a,F.2b

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Are You as Smart as a Buzzard?

• Buzzards do one thing and do it well.
• Avoid dual relationships.
• ACA Code A.5,A.6,A.7
• ASCA Code A.4

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Are You as Smart as a Buzzard?

• Buzzards are always trying to improve-to get to
  the top.
• Strive towards aspirational ethics-the best of
  the best
• ACA Code Sections A-H- Introductions
• ASCA Code-Preamble,A-G

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Are You as Smart as a Buzzard?

• Buzzards arent afraid to change.
• When new ethical guidelines are published, make
  it a point to review them and become familiar
  with the differences.
• ACA Code-Section H
• ASCA code-Section E

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Are You as Smart as a Buzzard?

• Buzzards are aware that danger always threatens.
• Know common areas of ethical violations.
• Know your weaknesses

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Are You as Smart as a Buzzard?

• Buzzards work only in daylight so they can see
  and be seen (and stay safe!)
• NEVER practice without adequate liability
  insurance that is yours alone-do not rely solely
  on your employer
• ASCA membership confers insurance!
• AIM insurance

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Are You as Smart as a Buzzard?

• Buzzards provide warnings if there is danger.
• In Texas, when a person is a danger to self or
  others, may notify police, law enforcement
  personnel, medical facility, MHMR
• ACA Code B.2.a, B.2.b
• A.9.c
• ASCA Code A.7

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Ethical Dilemma

• You are working with a student who you suspect
  may be anorexic. She seems to be spiraling
  downward, due to circumstances including a recent
  break-up and some ugly postings on Facebook
  regarding her weight. Her friends say these are
  causing her anxiety, and in your professional
  judgment, she is dangerously underweight and in
  trouble. You would like to reach out to her
  parents, but you feel that this situation does
  not reach the threshold of clear and imminent
  danger. You have always held to the belief that
  unless a suicide is about to happen, you would
  not breach confidentiality. What should you do???

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Are You as Smart as a Buzzard?

• Buzzards are very safety conscious.
• Review your own ethical guidelines on a regular
  basis-be aware of dangerous situations.
• All Sections-ACA Code
• All Sections-ASCA Code

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Ethical Dilemma

• You have counseled Cedric for 2 years. He pops
  in for counseling whenever anything is on his
  mind, and this can include after hours if he sees
  that you are still working. You never turn him
  away, regardless of the time or place.
  Additionally, you seek him out if he hasnt
  visited in awhile. You consider these exchanges
  with Cedric important, as his family is chaotic.
  He has never known his dad, his mother is an
  intermittent presence, and his grandmother, with
  whom he lives, is frail and physically limited.
  Cedric is a talented wrestler, but no one in his
  family has ever seen him in a match. You decide
  to go to hi next match, which is 140 miles away
  on a Saturday night.

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Are You as Smart as a Buzzard?

• Buzzards do not attack their own kind.
• Support other counselors-provide guidance when
  necessary-report ethical violations.
• ACA Code Sections D, H
• ASCA Code-Sections F, G

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Are You as Smart as a Buzzard?

• Buzzards take time to take care of themselves.
• Continuing education and maintaining your mental
  health is YOUR responsibility.
• ACA Code-C.2.f,C.2.g
• ASCA Code-Section E

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Are You as Smart as a Buzzard?

• Buzzards always have someone waiting in the wings
  when they retire.
• Have a specific, written plan for the transfer of
  your clients in case of emergency, death or
  retirement.
• ACA Code C.2.h
• ASCA Code C.2.f

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Guide to Ethical Decision Making

• Identify the Problem
• Apply the Code of Ethics
• Determine the Dimensions of the Problem
• Brainstorm Options/Consult
• Consider Choices/Consequences
• Evaluate Selected Course
• Implement Chosen Course
• Reflect
• Forester-Miller Davis, 1996

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Steps to Reduce Risk

• Listen to anyone who suggests dissatisfaction
• HEAR direct or implied complaints
• Review all file contents and history and be sure
  it makes sense or can be explained
• Study the complaint process and procedures-do not
  answer a letter without consulting your
  administration an the school district attorney

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Steps to Reduce Risk, cont.

• Offer a conference or casual mediation if
  appropriate
• Make adequate time available for the client to
  fully express the problem.
• Admit nothing! Do not react without thinking it
  over
• Call attorney
• Anonymously (before you are in trouble)
• Call licensing board
• Call professional association
• Call malpractice carrier hot-line

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MORE Risk Reduction

• Keep records current at all times
• If a team approach is used, document team
  interactions
• Use consultation with difficult clients, and
  document it in your notes
• Keep client records as long as required by law
  (may vary by district)
• Support procedures with history

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MORE Risk Reduction

• Document your recommendations and the clients
  response to them (compliance, noncompliance)
• Before discussing a clients treatment, be sure
  you have a signed release
• Document the presence or absence of
  suicidal/homicidal ideation or intent-indicate
  the action taken based on legal statute
• Keep sole-possession notes simple and objective

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Ethical Dilemma

• If I am keeping personal notes on my student
  caseload and then decide to leave my position,
  are the notes the property of the school or are
  they mine to take and/or dispose of?
• SOLE POSSESSION NOTES
• A memory aid
• No accessible or shared in any form
• Private, created solely by the person possessing
  them
• Observations and professional opinions only