South Carolina Code of Regulations
Chapter 94 - DEPARTMENT OF LABOR, LICENSING AND REGULATION- SOUTH CAROLINA BOARD OF OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
Article 6 - CODE OF ETHICS
Section 94-10 - Code of Ethics

Universal Citation: SC Code Regs 94-10

Current through Register Vol. 48, No. 9, September 27, 2024

Principle 1. Occupational therapy personnel shall demonstrate a concern for the well-being and safety of the recipients of their services and shall:

A. Provide appropriate evaluation and a plan of intervention for recipients of occupational therapy services specific to their needs.

B. Reevaluate and reassess recipients of service in a timely manner to determine whether goals are being achieved and whether intervention plans should be revised.

C. Use, to the extent possible, evaluation, planning, intervention techniques, assessments, and therapeutic equipment that are evidence-based, current, and within the recognized scope of occupational therapy practice.

D. Ensure that all duties delegated to other occupational therapy personnel are congruent with credentials, qualifications, experience, competency, and scope of practice with respect to service delivery, supervision, fieldwork education, and research.

E. Provide occupational therapy services, including education and training, that are within each practitioner's level of competence and scope of practice.

F. Take steps (e.g., continuing education, research, supervision, training) to ensure proficiency, use careful judgment, and weigh potential for harm when generally recognized standards do not exist in emerging technology or areas of practice.

G. Maintain competency by ongoing participation in education relevant to one's practice area.

H. Terminate occupational therapy services in collaboration with the service recipient or responsible party when the services are no longer beneficial.

I. Refer to other providers when indicated by the needs of the client.

J. Conduct and disseminate research in accordance with currently accepted ethical guidelines and standards for the protection of research participants, including determination of potential risks and benefits.

Principle 2. Occupational therapy personnel shall refrain from actions that cause harm and shall:

A. Avoid inflicting harm or injury to recipients of occupational therapy services, students, research participants, or employees.

B. Avoid abandoning the service recipient by facilitating appropriate transitions when unable to provide services for any reason.

C. Recognize and take appropriate action to remedy personal problems and limitations that might cause harm to recipients of service, colleagues, students, research participants, or others.

D. Avoid any undue influences that may impair practice and compromise the ability to safely and competently provide occupational therapy services, education, or research.

E. Address impaired practice and when necessary report to the appropriate authorities.

F. Avoid dual relationships, conflicts of interest, and situations in which a practitioner, educator, student, researcher, or employer is unable to maintain clear professional boundaries or objectivity.

G. Avoid engaging in sexual activity with a recipient of service, including the client's family or significant other, student, research participant, or employee, while a professional relationship exists.

H. Avoid compromising the rights or well-being of others based on arbitrary directives (e.g., unrealistic productivity expectations, falsification of documentation, inaccurate coding) by exercising professional judgment and critical analysis.

I. Avoid exploiting any relationship established as an occupational therapy clinician, educator, or researcher to further one's own physical, emotional, financial, political, or business interests at the expense of recipients of services, students, research participants, employees, or colleagues.

J. Avoid bartering for services when there is the potential for exploitation and conflict of interest.

Principle 3. Occupational therapy personnel shall respect the right of the individual to self-determination, privacy, confidentiality, and consent, and shall:

A. Respect and honor the expressed wishes of recipients of service.

B. Fully disclose the benefits, risks, and potential outcomes of any intervention; the personnel who will be providing the intervention; and any reasonable alternatives to the proposed intervention.

C. Obtain consent after disclosing appropriate information and answering any questions posed by the recipient of service or research participant to ensure voluntariness.

D. Establish a collaborative relationship with recipients of service and relevant stakeholders to promote shared decision making.

E. Respect the client's right to refuse occupational therapy services temporarily or permanently, even when that refusal has potential to result in poor outcomes.

F. Refrain from threatening, coercing, or deceiving clients to promote compliance with occupational therapy recommendations.

G. Respect a research participant's right to withdraw from a research study without penalty.

H. Maintain the confidentiality of all verbal, written, electronic, augmentative, and nonverbal communications, in compliance with applicable laws, including all aspects of privacy laws and exceptions thereto (e.g., Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act [ Pub. L. 104-191 ], Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act [ Pub. L. 93-380 ]).

I. Display responsible conduct and discretion when engaging in social networking, including but not limited to refraining from posting protected health information.

J. Facilitate comprehension and address barriers to communication (e.g., aphasia; differences in language, literacy, culture) with the recipient of service (or responsible party), student, or research participant.

Principle 4. Occupational therapy personnel shall promote fairness and objectivity in the provision of occupational therapy services and shall:

A. Respond to requests for occupational therapy services (e.g., a referral) in a timely manner as determined by law, regulation, or policy.

B. Assist those in need of occupational therapy services in securing access through available means.

C. Address barriers in access to occupational therapy services by offering or referring clients to financial aid, charity care, or pro bono services within the parameters of organizational policies.

D. Advocate for changes to systems and policies that are discriminatory or unfairly limit or prevent access to occupational therapy services.

E. Maintain awareness of current laws and policies that apply to the profession of occupational therapy.

F. Inform employers, employees, colleagues, students, and researchers of applicable policies and laws.

G. Hold requisite credentials for the occupational therapy services they provide in academic, research, physical, or virtual work settings.

H. Provide appropriate supervision in accordance with relevant law.

I. Obtain all necessary approvals prior to initiating research activities.

J. Refrain from accepting gifts that would unduly influence the therapeutic relationship or have the potential to blur professional boundaries, and adhere to employer policies when offered gifts.

K. Report to appropriate authorities any acts in practice, education, and research that are unethical or illegal.

L. Collaborate with employers to formulate policies and procedures in compliance with legal, regulatory, and ethical standards and work to resolve any conflicts or inconsistencies.

M. Bill and collect fees legally and justly in a manner that is fair, reasonable, and commensurate with services delivered.

N. Ensure compliance with relevant laws and promote transparency when participating in a business arrangement as owner, stockholder, partner, or employee.

O. Ensure that documentation for reimbursement purposes is done in accordance with applicable laws, guidelines, and regulations.

P. Refrain from participating in any action resulting in unauthorized access to educational content or exams (including but not limited to sharing test questions, unauthorized use of or access to content or codes, or selling access or authorization codes).

Principle 5. Occupational therapy personnel shall provide comprehensive, accurate, and objective information when representing the profession and shall:

A. Represent credentials, qualifications, education, experience, training, roles, duties, competence, contributions, and findings accurately in all forms of communication.

B. Refrain from using or participating in the use of any form of communication that contains false, fraudulent, deceptive, misleading, or unfair statements or claims.

C. Record and report in an accurate and timely manner and in accordance with applicable regulations all information related to professional or academic documentation and activities.

D. Identify and fully disclose to all appropriate persons errors or adverse events that compromise the safety of service recipients.

E. Ensure that all marketing and advertising are truthful, accurate, and carefully presented to avoid misleading recipients of service, research participants, or the public.

F. Describe the type and duration of occupational therapy services accurately in professional contracts, including the duties and responsibilities of all involved parties.

G. Be honest, fair, accurate, respectful, and timely in gathering and reporting fact-based information regarding employee job performance and student performance.

H. Give credit and recognition when using the ideas and work of others in written, oral, or electronic media (i.e., do not plagiarize).

I. Provide students with access to accurate information regarding educational requirements and academic policies and procedures relative to the occupational therapy program or educational institution.

J. Maintain privacy and truthfulness when using telecommunication in the delivery of occupational therapy services.

Principle 6. Occupational therapy personnel shall treat clients, colleagues, and other professionals with respect, fairness, discretion, and integrity, and shall:

A. Preserve, respect, and safeguard private information about employees, colleagues, and students unless otherwise mandated or permitted by relevant laws.

B. Address incompetent, disruptive, unethical, illegal, or impaired practice that jeopardizes the safety or well-being of others and team effectiveness.

C. Avoid conflicts of interest or conflicts of commitment in employment, volunteer roles, or research.

D. Avoid using one's position (employee or volunteer) or knowledge gained from that position in such a manner as to give rise to real or perceived conflict of interest.

E. Be diligent stewards of human, financial, and material resources of their employers, and refrain from exploiting these resources for personal gain.

F. Refrain from verbal, physical, emotional, or sexual harassment of peers or colleagues.

G. Refrain from communication that is derogatory, intimidating, or disrespectful and that unduly discourages others from participating in professional dialogue.

H. Promote collaborative actions and communication as a member of interprofessional teams to facilitate quality care and safety for clients.

I. Respect the practices, competencies, roles, and responsibilities of their own and other professions to promote a collaborative environment reflective of interprofessional teams.

J. Use conflict resolution and internal and alternative dispute resolution resources as needed to resolve organizational and interpersonal conflicts, as well as perceived institutional ethics violations.

K. Abide by policies, procedures, and protocols when serving or acting on behalf of a professional organization or employer to fully and accurately represent the organization's official and authorized positions.

L. Refrain from actions that reduce the public's trust in occupational therapy.

M. Self-identify when personal, cultural, or religious values preclude, or are anticipated to negatively affect, the professional relationship or provision of services, while adhering to organizational policies when requesting an exemption from service to an individual or group on the basis of conflict of conscience.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. South Carolina may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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