ETHICS- MAINTAINING PROFESSIONAL BOUNDARIES
Ethics involve what is the best course of action for the good of an individual or for a society; it involves principles, standards and values. As a professional you are a role model for the providers you visit. You also have to juggle multiple responsibilities.
• You have a responsibility to the state and your eProvider Resources and Bethel Child Care to assure their funds are being distributed according to rules and regulations.
• You have a responsibility to your providers to make sure they know all the regulations and are in compliance.
• You have a responsibility to the families and children to assure the children are getting the best and safest care they are expecting.
Therefore, ethics are very important to maintaining the best action for all the parties you represent.
You should make sure you are aware of the code of ethics that you are expected to adhere to.
YOUR CODE OF ETHICS INCLUDE:
• BE TRUSTWORTHY
• RESPECT
• MAINTAIN CONFIDENTIALITY
• BE RESPONSIBLE
• NEVR USE PROVIDER LIST FOR FINANCIAL GAIN
• KNOW THE POLICY REGARDING ACEPTING GIFTS
• ONLY COUNSEL PROVIDERS IN YOUR QUALIFIED AREA
• DISCLOSE CONFLICT OF INTEREST
• MAINTAIN PROFESSONAL BOUNDARIES
Maintaining a professional boundary is often hard. Here are some reasons it may be difficult to maintain professional boundaries:
1. You visit the same providers month after month often for many years and become friends
2. You may live in the same community as your providers
3. Your children may be in the same schools, play on the same teams, go to dancing school together
4. You may have mutual friends.
5. You may be related in some way or have a family member involved with provider
How do you maintain a professional boundary if the above connections apply?
Make it known that your job is very important to you. Be professional at your visits and make sure you are fair in your assessments.
Do not conduct business in social setting. There are times when you and your clients may cross paths at events. Your children may play on the same softball league, go to the same dancing school, or same parent group. It is important that you remember that you do not let these activities and your job overlap.
For example: you ask your provider to bring paperwork to the softball game to save you the trip of picking them up.
If your client asks you a work -related question or to bring her paperwork, you should set the precedent that when you leave the office your work is over, but you will be happy to take care of it during work hours.
Never take on a provider’s problems. There are often times when our clients are going through difficult times. You can be supportive and a good resource for them, but never take on the responsibility of solving the problem.
Never loan a client money, this now puts you in an ethical dilemma. If you make decisions that could affect the provider’s reimbursement money, it could impact her ability to pay you back. You never want to put yourself in a position that could compromise your responsibility to your job or state and federal funding sources.
Post social pictures with the provider on social media. This could hurt your relationship with other providers. They may feel that you are giving ‘your friend’ special privileges.
Do not do business with clients.
For example: One of your providers is going through some tough financial times and her husband is out of work. She asks you to recommend her husband as a carpenter and pass out his business card. You want to help so you pass out the cards. You have now opened the door for every provider who sell vitamins, kitchen utensils, candles, etc. who ask you to hand out flyers for their business or for the business of a friend or relative.
When making ethical decisions, always ask yourself:
1. How do others view my ability to be objective?
2. Who will be affected by my actions?
3. What are the short and long term effects of my actions?
If your friendship or relationship becomes so close that you find it hard to remain professional, then it is advised that you request that provider be serviced by another Monitor.
Asking yourself these questions, and remaining professional in your job duties will help you to maintain professional distance.