Ethics is both personal and administrative. Your personal ethics may be one thing, while the ethics you must follow based on guidelines set forth by the American Nursing Association or for him National Association of Paralegalsit may conflict with your own morality. However, you have a duty to follow these ethical standards if you want to keep your job and avoid being sued for negligence or breach of confidentiality provisions.
While this article focuses on medical professionals and paralegals, many of these principles are also highly relevant in any situation where you are dealing with someone’s private information. Here are my top 11 ways to avoid violating professional ethics guidelines:
1. To study- If you are a nurse, study the Ana Handbook. If you are a paralegal, study the Postal Codeethics handbook. Also, study the individual company policies provided to him once he was hired by a company provided to him at orientation. What you don’t know can get you killed!
two. No gossip: Clients will approach you with all sorts of embarrassing stories about their lives. Medical conditions, legal issues, stories of infidelity, infertility, and other stomach-churning scenarios will be commonplace in any customer relationship area. You must handle these scenarios with care. If you don’t want it shared with the public, it’s safe to assume your client won’t either. Practice empathy and put yourself in their shoes.
3. Be careful with eavesdropping: When speaking with a client over the phone or in person, make sure these conversations take place in a quiet, safe, and private area. If these conversations are accidentally overheard by a third party, it could have negative consequences.
Four. Secure documents: Any paperwork related to company secrets or customer information must not be exposed to the view of passersby. Such documents should also be shredded, not crumpled in a garbage can. Identity thieves and spies are everywhere. Do not make your job easier by mishandling the documents.
5. Do not manage actions without permission: Unless directed by a licensed physician or attorney, nurses and paralegals may NOT provide personalized diagnosis, legal advice, or administer treatment. Nurses and paralegals must also refrain from taking action when the client does not consent. Paralegals and nurses are “foot soldiers.” We must operate primarily on direct command, rarely acting independently, and even when we do, we are closely monitored.
6. Avoid the media: Addressing the media regarding a client or the company you work for without authorization is a big NO-NO. You risk defamation, disclosure of company trade secrets, and other legal consequences.
7. Don’t be a compliment: If you see your supervising doctor or attorney doing something highly unethical or illegal, you have the right to speak up and file a report with authorities. Do not become an achievement for illegal activity.
8. Think twice before you become a blusher: Becoming a whistleblower or going it alone because it “feels good” could make you go down in history as a brave hero and save lives, but it won’t be without consequences. Acting outside of your assigned role, even if it saves a life, could still cost you your job or expose you to a negligence lawsuit or legal penalties. Before you try to become the next Edward Snowden, remember that there will be consequences.
9. To be up to date: Ethics guidelines are subject to change. Most nurses and paralegals are required or encouraged to attend higher education courses or “refresher courses.” These might serve you well so you don’t get out of the loop of current industry standards.
10 Pledge loyalty to your customer: Your job is to be an advocate for your client and an assistant to your superior. Accept this role completely! If you believe an alternative remedy is necessary, please notify your supervising physician or attorney. Do it away from the customer to protect your supervisor’s honor and not undermine him. Also, do not collude or talk to any outside forces that may act against the interests of your client and/or employer. You are being paid for such loyalty. Any action you take that could be construed as “unfair” to the customer or your employer could result in termination or a lawsuit.
eleven swallow your pride Paralegals and nurses need to be very careful in choosing a field or focus area that aligns with their consciousness. If you can’t understand defending a murderer or robber, you may want to stay away from criminal law and try bankruptcy law instead. You can also request to be removed from certain cases or refuse to work with certain clients who make you uncomfortable. However, regardless of how much he tries to manage his career, he will ultimately be forced to take actions that go against his own personal beliefs. It is the nature of any business and something that all employees must learn to accept. Do your best to minimize such circumstances, but also learn to justify such actions if absolutely necessary. Those who fail to streamline their jobs will fall prey to alcoholism and other unhealthy coping methods if they don’t learn to cope naturally. Legal and medical professionals will greatly benefit from having a support system in friends and family.
The philosophy and administrative guidelines that govern the idea of ”ethics” can get very complicated. If you’re not sure whether or not you may be violating your company’s ethical standards, it never hurts to ask!