West Virginia Code of State Rules › Agency 29 - Speech-Language Pathology And Audiology › Title 29 - LEGISLATIVE RULE WEST VIRGINIA BOARD OF EXAMINERS FOR SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY AND AUDIOLOGY › Series 29-05 - West Virginia Board of Examiners for Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Code of Ethics › Section 29-5-2 - Ethics Standards and Principles for Speech-Language Pathologists, Audiologists and Provisional Licensed by the Board and Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology Assistants registered by the Board

Current through Register Vol. XLI, No. 28, July 12, 2024
2.1. Any action that violates the spirit and
				purpose of this Code shall be considered unethical. Failure to specify any
				particular responsibility or practice in this Code of Ethics shall not be
				construed as denial of the existence of such responsibilities or
				practices.
2.2. The fundamentals of
				ethical conduct are described by Principles of Ethics and Rules of Ethics as
				they relate to responsibility to persons served, to the public, and to the
				professions of speech-language pathology and audiology.
2.3. Principles of Ethics, aspirational and
				inspirational in nature, form the underlying moral basis for the Code of
				Ethics. Individuals shall observe these principles as affirmative obligations
				under all conditions of professional activity. Rules of Ethics are specific
				statements of minimally acceptable professional conduct or of prohibitions and
				are applicable to all individuals.
2.4. Principle of Ethics I
2.4.a. Individuals shall honor their
				responsibility to hold paramount the welfare of persons they serve
				professionally.
2.4.b. Rules of
				Ethics
2.4.b.1. Individuals shall provide all
				services competently.
2.4.b.2.
				Individuals shall use every resource, including referral when appropriate, to
				ensure that high-quality service is provided.
2.4.b.3. Individuals shall not discriminate
				in the delivery of professional services on the basis of race ethnicity,
				gender, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, or
				disability.
2.4.b.4. Individuals
				shall fully inform the persons they serve of the nature and possible effects of
				services rendered and products dispensed.
2.4.b.5. Individuals shall evaluate the
				effectiveness of services rendered and of products dispensed and shall provide
				services or dispense products only when benefit can be reasonably
				expected.
2.4.b.6. Individuals
				shall not guarantee the results of any treatment or procedure, directly or by
				implication; however, they may make a reasonable statement of
				prognosis.
2.4.b.7. Individuals
				shall not evaluate or treat speech, language, or hearing disorders solely by
				correspondence.
2.4.b.8.
				Individuals shall maintain adequate records of professional services rendered
				and products dispensed and shall allow access to these records when
				appropriately authorized.
2.4.b.9.
				Individuals shall not reveal, without authorization, any professional or
				personal information about the person served professionally, unless required by
				law to do so, or unless doing so is necessary to protect the welfare of the
				person or of the community.
2.4.b.10. Individuals shall not charge for
				services not rendered, nor shall they misrepresent, in any fashion, services
				rendered or products dispensed.
2.4.b.11. Individuals shall use persons in
				research or as subjects of teaching demonstrations only with their informed
				consent.
2.4.b.12. Individuals
				whose professional services are adversely affected by substance abuse or other
				health-related conditions shall seek professional assistance and, where
				appropriate, withdraw from the affected areas of practice.