Chapter 671-4 STANDARDS OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT
The following Code of Ethics is hereby adopted by the Board to
govern and serve as a guide for the conduct of licensed Occupational Therapists
and Occupational Therapy Assistants in the practice of occupational therapy in
this state. Reviews of numerous documents and guidelines published on
occupational therapy ethics, including the American Occupational Therapy
Association, Inc. (A.O.T.A.) Code of Ethics, were utilized in the preparation
of the following. Each licensed Occupational Therapist and Occupational Therapy
Assistant shall:
| (1) |
Adhere to the
code of ethics as adopted and published by the Board; |
| (2) |
Demonstrate concern for the safety and
well-being of the recipients of their services and ensure services and fees are
provided in a fair and equitable manner; |
| (3) |
Take measures to ensure each recipient's
safety and avoid imposing or inflicting harm, avoid exploitation in any manner
in therapeutic relationships, use professional judgment and objectivity at all
times, avoid any compromise in the provision of services, and accept
responsibility for professional actions; |
| (4) |
Respect recipients, assuring their rights
and observing confidentiality at all times; |
| (5) |
Strive to achieve and continually
maintain high standards of competence and take responsibility for competence
through professional development and educational activities; |
| (6) |
Comply with laws and rules of the State
of Georgia and the Georgia State Board of Occupational Therapy, encourage peers
to adhere to the Code of Ethics of the profession, and reporting any breaches
of the Code of Ethics to the proper authority; |
| (7) |
Provide accurate and complete information
when representing the profession; and |
| (8) |
Treat all colleagues and other
professionals with respect, fairness, discretion and integrity. |
Unprofessional conduct shall include, but not be limited to,
the following:
| (a) |
Obtaining or
attempting to obtain a license by fraud, misrepresentation, orconcealment of
material facts; |
| (b) |
Violating the
ethics of occupational therapy as set forth by the Georgia Board of
Occupational Therapy; |
| (c) |
Being
grossly negligent in the practice of occupational therapy or as an occupational
therapy assistant; |
| (d) |
Using drugs
or intoxicating liquors to the extent that these effect the licensee's
professional competence; |
| (e) |
Practicing occupational therapy after being adjudged mentally incompetent by a
court of competent jurisdiction; |
| (f) |
Being convicted of a crime other than
minor offenses defined as "minor misdemeanors","violations" or "offenses" in
any court if the acts for which he or she was convicted are found by the Board
to have a direct bearing on whether he or she should been trusted to serve the
public in the capacity of an occupational therapist or occupational therapy
assistant; |
| (g) |
Using or holding
yourself out as being able to utilize occupational therapy techniques involving
physical agent modalities when not certified by the Board to use physical agent
modalities; |
| (h) |
Having committed
any other conduct which ordinary and reasonable individuals would consider
unprofessional. |
| (i) |
Failing to
adhere to the provisions of the 'Consumer Information and Awareness Act' as
codified in O.C.G.A. § 43-1-33. |
