Section 42.24. Code of Ethics

Purpose. The Board adopts the following Code of Ethics to establish and maintain a high standard of integrity and dignity in the profession and to protect the public against unprofessional conduct on the part of licensees. The Code of Ethics is adapted with permission from the ‘‘Occupational Therapy Code of Ethics’’ of the American Occupational Therapy Association (revised July 1994).

(1) Principle 1. Licensees shall demonstrate a concern for the well-being of the recipients of their services. (beneficence)

(i) Licensees shall provide services in an equitable manner for all individuals.

(ii) Licensees shall maintain relationships that do not exploit the recipient of services sexually, physically, emotionally, financially, socially or in any other manner. Licensees shall avoid those relationships or activities that interfere with professional judgment and objectivity.

(iii) Licensees shall take all reasonable precautions to avoid harm to the recipient of services or to his property.

(2) Principle 2. Licensees shall respect the rights of the recipients of their services. (autonomy, privacy, confidentiality)

(i) Licensees shall collaborate with service recipients or their surrogates, or both, in determining goals and priorities throughout the intervention process.

(ii) Licensees shall fully inform the service recipients or their surrogates, or both, of the nature, potential risks and outcomes of any interventions.

(iii) Licensees shall obtain written informed consent from subjects involved in research activities indicating they have been fully advised of the potential risks and outcomes.

(iv) Licensees shall respect the individual’s right to refuse professional services or involvement in research or educational activities.

(v) Licensees shall protect the confidential nature of information gained from educational, practice, research and investigational activities.

(3) Principle 3. Licensees shall achieve and continually maintain high standards of competence. (duties)

(i) Licensees shall use procedures that conform to the standards of acceptable and prevailing occupational therapy practice.

(ii) Licensees shall take responsibility for maintaining competence by participating in professional development and education activities.

(iii) Licensees shall perform their duties on the basis of accurate and current information.

(iv) Licensees shall protect service recipients by ensuring that duties assumed by or assigned to other licensees are commensurate with their qualifications and experience.

(v) Licensees shall provide appropriate supervision to individuals for whom the licensees have supervisory responsibility.

(vi) Licensees shall refer recipients to other service providers or consult with other service providers when additional knowledge and expertise are required.

(4) Principle 4. Licensees shall comply with laws and regulations governing the practice of occupational therapy in this Commonwealth. (justice)

(i) Licensees shall understand and abide by applicable local, State and Federal laws.

(ii) Licensees shall inform employers employees, and colleagues about those laws and regulations that apply to the profession of occupational therapy.

(iii) Licensees shall require those they supervise in occupational therapy related activities to adhere to this chapter.

(iv) Licensees shall accurately record and report all information related to professional activities.

(5) Principle 5. Licensees shall provide accurate information about occupational therapy services. (veracity)

(i) Licensees shall accurately represent their qualifications, education, experience, training and competence.

(ii) Licensees shall disclose any affiliations that may pose a conflict of interest.

(iii) Licensees shall refrain from using or participating in the use of any form of communication that contains false, fraudulent, deceptive or unfair statements or claims.

(6) Principle 6. Licensees shall treat colleagues and other professionals with fairness, discretion and integrity. (fidelity, veracity)

(i) Licensees shall safeguard confidential information about colleagues and staff members.

(ii) Licensees shall accurately represent the qualifications, views, contributions and findings of colleagues.

(iii) Licensees shall report any breaches of the Board’s law and this chapter to the Board.

The provisions of this § 42.24 adopted May 29, 1992, effective May 30, 1992, 22 Pa.B. 2831; amended December 7, 2001, effective December 8, 2001, 31 Pa.B. 6663. Immediately preceding text appears at serial pages (267183) to (267184).

Notation

Authority

The provisions of this § 42.24 issued under sections 5(b) and 6(a)(2) of the Occupational Therapy Practice Act (63 P. S. § § 1505(b) and 1506(a)(2)).

Cross References

This section cited in 49 Pa. Code § 42.46 (relating to confidentiality—waived).