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Clinical Student Code of Ethics
Although it is presumed that all clinical medical laboratory technologists, diagnostic medical sonographers, and patient care technician students exercise maturity and sound judgment in the process of becoming productive members of the health care community, there are occasions when it becomes necessary to address matters of conduct and discipline. In the event that disciplinary action becomes necessary, the program director will exercise fairness, utilizing progressive discipline when possible.
Students are expected to exhibit professional behavior throughout their medical school training. It is recognized that this almost always occurs. However, there are occasionally some students whose actions are clearly unprofessional.
1. Reliability and Responsibility: Fulfills responsibilities to peers, instructors, patients, other health professionals, and oneself. Provides accurate, non-misleading information to the best of one’s abilities.
Examples of unprofessional behavior in this area include:
a. The student cannot be relied upon to complete tasks, including completing evaluations in a timely manner.
b. The student does not seek assistance when needed to handle a clinical situation. The student does not function cooperatively within a health care team or other educational setting.
2. Self-Improvement and Adaptability: Accepts constructive feedback, and incorporates this feedback when making changes in his/her behavior. Accepts responsibility for own failures.
Examples of unprofessional behavior in this area include:
a. The student is resistant to or overly defensive in accepting criticism.
b. The student is unable to recognize his/her own inadequacies and limitations.
c. The student is resistant to seek help when a problem is identified.
d. The student resists considering or making change(s).
e. The student does not take responsibility for his/her errors.
f. The student consistently fails to prepare for specific course or patient care activities.
3. Relationships with Patients and Families: Establishes rapport and demonstrates sensitivity in patient care interactions. Maintains professional boundaries with patients and members of the families.
Examples of unprofessional behavior in this area include:
a. The student inadequately establishes rapport with patients and families. The student is often insensitive to patients’ or families’ feelings, needs, wishes, or beliefs.
b. The student uses his/her professional position to engage in romantic or sexual relations with a patient or a member of the family.
c. The student shows inadequate commitment to honoring the patient’s wishes.
d. The student does not protect patient confidentiality or privacy.
4. Relationships with Peers, Faculty, and Other Members of the Health Care Team: Relates well to fellow students, faculty or staff and demonstrates sensitivity to other members of the health care team.
Examples of unprofessional behavior in this area include:
a. The student relates poorly to fellow students, faculty and staff in the educational environment.
b. The student is insensitive to the needs, feelings, and wishes of members of the health care team or educational group.
c. The student does not establish and maintain appropriate boundaries in work and learning situations.
5. Professional Behavior: Respects diversity in patients and colleagues. Resolves conflicts professionally. Dresses and acts in a professional manner.
Examples of unprofessional behavior in this area include:
a. The student does not respect diversity of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation, age, disability or socioeconomic status.
b. The student does not resolve conflicts in a manner that respects the dignity of every person involved.
c. The student uses unprofessional language that is not appropriate to the setting.
d. The student is abusive or hypercritical, including in times of stress.
e. The student demonstrates arrogance.
f. The student misrepresents or falsifies information and /or actions.
g. The student performs patient care while in an impaired state.
If a clinical student fails any of the examples listed above, the type of disciplinary action taken will depend on the seriousness and nature of the offense, and the student’s history of problems.
Disciplinary action may include one of more of the following:
- Verbal counseling when the infraction is relatively minor or a first offense.
- Written warning which may become part of the student’s permanent file when verbal counseling fails to achieve the desired change in behavior.
- Removal from the clinical site when previous disciplinary actions fail to produce desired changes in behavior, or conduct presents a danger to self and others.
Remember, the aim is to promote those behaviors, which best serve the needs of patients, the health care institution and the community.
THE FOLLOWING ARE CONSIDERED JUST CAUSE FOR DISMISSAL FROM CLINICAL EDUCATION:
- Unprofessional or unethical behavior on the part of the student in accordance with professional guidelines or Code of Ethics as defined by the profession
- Failure on the part of the student to meet any necessary academic requirements
- Criminal activity within the clinical site or hospital
- Use of alcohol, drugs or other toxic or foreign agents, which tend to limit or adversely affect the student’s duties and responsibilities
- Any behavior which violated a hospital/clinical site regulation and/or resulting in denial by the hospital/clinical site of clinical privileges
- Action which knowingly endangers the health or well being of the student, a fellow student, patient or hospital personnel or visitor
- Vandalism or abuse of clinical equipment
When a student is removed from a clinical education site, he or she may be dismissed from the education program. |