Alabama Administrative Code › Title 532 - ALABAMA BOARD OF MASSAGE THERAPY › Chapter 532-X-3 - LICENSURE PROCESS AND REQUIREMENTS › Section 532-X-3-.07 - Code Of Ethics - Massage Therapy Schools

Current through Register Vol. 42, No. 9, June 28, 2024
(1) This Code of Ethics is a summarized
			 statement of standards by which state licensed massage therapy schools
			 (hereinafter referred to as "Educators") agree to conduct their practices and
			 an acknowledgement of the principles of acceptable, ethical and professional
			 behavior.
(2) General Standards:
(a) Any Educator licensed by the Board is
			 required to be knowledgeable regarding the ethical, legal and regulatory
			 aspects of the profession of massage therapy, must be skilled in applying that
			 knowledge and must make students aware of their responsibilities as massage
			 therapists. Licensed Educators will conduct education in an ethical manner and
			 serve as role models for professional behavior.
(b) Licensed Educators will educate only in
			 those areas in which they have become qualified through education,
			 certification and professional affiliations in order to ensure that all
			 students are adequately instructed in massage therapy techniques.
(c) Licensed Educators will accurately inform
			 the public and other health care providers of the scope and limitations of
			 their discipline and that of their students.
(d) Licensed Educators do not discriminate
			 against or refuse professional service to anyone on the basis of race, gender,
			 religion, national origin, or sexual orientation.
(e) Licensed Educators are required to
			 clearly define and maintain ethical, professional and social relationship
			 boundaries with their students. Educators must acknowledge that they exert both
			 power and influence over the students under their care and control and that
			 they must, therefore, be vigilant to maintain appropriate student-teacher
			 boundaries and take responsibility for the power differential that exists
			 between instructors and students.
(f) Licensed Educators must maintain and
			 improve their professional knowledge and competency to teach massage therapy
			 through continuing education.
(g)
			 Licensed Educators will orient prospective students to their program
			 expectations prior to admission, including, but not limited to, the following
			 items:
1. the type and level of skill required
			 for successful completion of the training;
2. a current and accurate description of the
			 program content, training goals and objectives;
3. the subject matter to be
			 covered;
4. the basis for
			 evaluation;
5. the training
			 components that encourage self-growth as part of the training
			 process;
6. the supervision and
			 site requirements for required clinical field experiences;
7. student evaluation and dismissal policies
			 and procedures;
8. up-to-date
			 employment prospects for graduates; and
9. the availability of course and program
			 information to all interested parties.
(h) Educators do not teach the use of
			 techniques or procedures that require specialized training, licensure or
			 expertise, including, but not limited to, laser therapy, injection therapy,
			 manipulation of the joints or any diagnosis or treatment of an illness that
			 normally involves the practice of medicine, chiropractics, physical therapy,
			 podiatry, nursing, occupational therapy, veterinary medicine, acupuncture,
			 osteopathy, orthopedics, hypnosis or naturopathics.
(i) Educators do not serve as counselors to
			 students over whom they hold administrative, teaching or evaluative roles
			 unless this is a brief role associated with a training experience.