Navigating Ethical Challenges: Social Workers
Social workers face a variety of ethical dilemmas on a regular basis. Among the many types of ethical dilemmas that can confront us in practice are dual relationships, conflicts in supervision, breaches in client confidentiality, and practicing outside of the scope of one’s training and experience. Regardless, social workers are expected to be familiar with professional ethical standards and know how to apply them to challenging situations.
The goal of this course is to provide social workers in health and human services settings with information and tools to make ethical decisions in their professional practice.
This course does not address every aspect of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics, federal and local laws, or state board regulations but focuses on some of the most common ethical issues and decisions social workers face.
Social workers face a variety of ethical dilemmas on a regular basis. Among the many types of ethical dilemmas that can confront us in practice are dual relationships, conflicts in supervision, breaches in client confidentiality, and practicing outside of the scope of one’s training and experience. Regardless, social workers are expected to be familiar with professional ethical standards and know how to apply them to challenging situations. The goal of this course is to provide social workers in health and human services settings with information and tools to make ethical decisions in their professional practice. This course does not address every aspect of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) Code of Ethics, federal and local laws, or state board regulations but focuses on some of the most common ethical issues and decisions social workers face.
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 1.25 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.
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 1.25 contact hours.
Michigan Board of Social Work
Michigan Board of Social Work (CEBroker Provider # 50-290)
This activity is approved for 1.0000 contact hours.
North Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners
North Dakota Board of Social Work Examiners (CEBroker Provider # 50-290)
This activity is approved for 1.0000 contact hours.
Ohio Social Worker Board
Ohio Counselor, Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist Board Provider #RSX091903 (CEBroker Provider # 50-290)
This activity is approved for 1.25 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)
Identify at least three sources of ethical guidance for social workers.
List steps to take in ethical decision making.
Recall three common ethical dilemmas and how an ethical decision-making model can determine steps to take.
Outline:
Section 1: Introduction
About This Course
Learning Objectives
Section 2: Professional Ethics and Ethical Dilemmas
Why Professional Ethics Are Important
Sources of Ethics Guidance and Information
What Is An Ethical Dilemma?
Ethical Decision-Making Models
Review
Summary
Section 3: Common Ethical Dilemmas
Working Through Ethical Challenges
Failure to Report
Dual Relationships
Confidentiality and Minors
Communication Through Technology
Social Media
Impaired Colleagues
Self-Care
Social and Political Action
Advocacy
Review
Summary
Section 4: Conclusion
Course Summary
Course Contributor
Resources
References
Subject Matter Expert: Lauren Quick-Graham, MSW, LCSW, LCAS, CCS
Lauren received her Master of Social Work degree from North Carolina State University in Raleigh. She has over 13 years of experience working in case management and counseling. She is a PhD student at North Carolina State University focusing on continuing professional education for adult learners. She is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Clinical Addiction Specialist, and Certified Clinical Supervisor in North Carolina. She has worked in private practice, the Veterans Health Administration, and community-based organizations focusing on serving adults with an emphasis on trauma, addictions, chronic pain, and crisis intervention. She has extensive experience providing clinical supervision services to social workers and addiction professionals. Lauren joined Relias as a behavioral health content writer and subject matter expert in 2021.
The target audience for this course is: Beginner level Social Workers; in the following settings: Health and Human Services.
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.
