Ethical Social Work Practice
Hours: 2.00
Social workers are faced with ethical decisions throughout their practice careers. Effective social workers understand that clinical relationships are complex and require a degree of understanding, tolerance, and sensitivity to alternative beliefs, attitudes, and values. Left unexamined, these values can affect the practitioner-client relationship and lead to unethical practice behavior. The National Association of Social Workers’ Code of Ethics (2021) outlines standards of ethical social work practice and provides general direction toward ethical conduct; however, clinicians must still use professional judgment to navigate through difficult or ambiguous situations. Self-reflection and professional development are essential to adhering to the boundaries of ethical practice.
The goal of this course is to provide a framework for social workers to use as they engage with clients.
Social workers are faced with ethical decisions throughout their practice careers. Effective social workers understand that clinical relationships are complex and require a degree of understanding, tolerance, and sensitivity to alternative beliefs, attitudes, and values. Left unexamined, these values can affect the practitioner-client relationship and lead to unethical practice behavior. The National Association of Social Workers’ Code of Ethics (2021) outlines standards of ethical social work practice and provides general direction toward ethical conduct; however, clinicians must still use professional judgment to navigate through difficult or ambiguous situations. Self-reflection and professional development are essential to adhering to the boundaries of ethical practice. The goal of this course is to provide a framework for social workers to use as they engage with clients.
Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling
Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy and Mental Health Counseling (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
This activity is approved for 2.00 contact hours.
Ohio Social Worker Board
Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist Board (CEBroker Provider # 50-290)
This activity is approved for 2.00 contact hours.
Association of Social Work Boards
As a Jointly Accredited Organization, Relias LLC is approved to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Organizations, not individual courses, are approved under this program. State and provincial regulatory boards have the final authority to determine whether an individual course may be accepted for continuing education credit. Relias LLC maintains responsibility for this course. Social workers completing this course receive 2.00 Ethics continuing education credits.
Course Delivery Format: Asynchronous Distance Learning-interaction includes quizzes with questions and answers, post-tests. This module is Reading-Based Online.
New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions, Division of Professional Licensing Services, Social Work Unit
Relias, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department's State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0009.
Materials that are included in this course may include interventions and modalities that are beyond the authorized practice of licensed master social work and licensed clinical social work in New York. As a licensed professional, you are responsible for reviewing the scope of practice, including activities that are defined in law as beyond the boundaries of practice for an LMSW and LCSW. A licensee who practices beyond the authorized scope of practice could be charged with unprofessional conduct under the Education Law and Regents Rules.
As a provider of online, asynchronous education, some courses offered by Relias Learning are considered “self-study” under section 74.10(c)(2)(ii)(b)(4) of the Commissioner’s Regulations. The regulations limit self-study activities taken from a provider approved by the Education Department to no more than 12 hours in the 36-month registration period or one-third of the hours in a registration period other than 36 months.
Social workers will receive 2.00 continuing education hours for participating in this course. This activity is approved for 2.00 contact hours.
South Carolina Board of Social Work Examiners
South Carolina Board of Social Work Examiners (CEBroker Provider 50-290)
West Virginia Board of Social Work
West Virginia Board of Social Work (CEBroker Provider #50-290)
Name at least three standards of the National Association of Social Workers’ Code of Ethics.
Identify one federal regulation that affects social workers and their clients related to confidentiality.
Indicate one area of practice where dual relationships may be difficult to avoid.
Outline:
Section 1: Introduction
About This Course
Learning Objectives
Section 2: Ethical Practice Considerations
Background
Case Study No. 1: Margaret
Values and Ethical Dilemmas
Social Work Relationships and Ethical Inquiry
Case Study No. 2: Jason
Section 3: Ethical Principles and Standards of Practice
Ethical Standards of Practice for Social Workers
Ethical Standards of Social Work Practice by Domain (NASW, 2021)
Section 4: Ethical Issues Related to Multicultural and Self-Awareness
Ethical Issues in Multicultural Direct Social Work Practice
Case Study No. 3: Ana
Self-Awareness and Professional Development
Case Study No. 4: Mark
Section 5: Considerations for Ethical Practice
Ethical Considerations for Direct Social Work Practice
Informed Consent
Case Study No. 5
Confidentiality and Privileged Communication
Case Study No. 6
Disclosure During Legal Proceedings
Disclosure When Working with Minors
Self-Determination
Section 6: Ethical Issues Related to Electronic Communication
Social Media and Electronic Communications
Case Study No. 7
Section 7: Boundaries
Professional Boundaries
Dual Relationships or Personal Boundaries
Case Study No. 8
Divided Loyalties and Conflicts of Interest
Section 8: Clinical Vignette
Practice Scenario
Section 9: Conclusion
Course Summary
Course Contributors
Resources
References
Teresa Crowe, PhD, LICSW, LCSWC is a licensed clinical social worker in the District of Columbia and Maryland. She is a professor of social work at Gallaudet University and teaches practice, theory, and research in the MSW program. She coordinates a telemental health program for deaf children and adults through Arundel Lodge, Inc. located in Edgewater, MD. Her recent research focuses on deaf and hard of hearing populations, especially in the areas of behavioral health, intimate partner violence, telemental health, well-being, resilience, and help-seeking. Disclosure: Teresa Crowe, PhD, LICSW, LCSWC has declared that no conflict of interest, Relevant Financial Relationship or Relevant Non-Financial Relationship exists.Staff Writer: Sooa Devereaux, MSN, RN
Sooa Devereaux, MSN, RN is a SME writer with Relias. She has over 25 years of nursing experience, primarily in acute care and professional development. Disclosure: Sooa Devereaux, MSN, RN has declared that no conflict of interest, Relevant Financial Relationship or Relevant Non-Financial Relationship exists.
The target audience for this course is: Social Workers; in the following settings: Acute Care Facility.
Asynchronous/Online Distance Learning; please see certificate details for specifics on delivery format.
Relias has a grievance policy in place to facilitate reports of dissatisfaction. Relias will make every effort to resolve each grievance in a mutually satisfactory manner. In order to report a complaint or grievance please contact Relias.
If you require special accommodations to complete this module, please contact Relias Support by completing the web form (https://www.relias.com/help) or by using the chat functionality.
All courses offered by Relias, LLC are developed from a foundation of diversity, inclusiveness, and a multicultural perspective. Knowledge, values and awareness related to cultural competency are infused throughout the course content.
Reference herein to any specific commercial product, process, or service by trade name, trademark, service mark, manufacturer or otherwise does not constitute or imply any endorsement, recommendation, or favoring of, or affiliation with, Relias, LLC.
All characteristics and organizations referenced in the following training are fictional. Any resemblance to any actual organizations or persons living or dead, is purely coincidental.
To earn continuing education credit for this course you must achieve a passing score of 80% on the post-test and complete the course evaluation.
If you require special accommodations to complete this module, please contact Relias Customer Support here.
