Ethics and Professionalism
Competency #1: Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior
Social workers understand the value base of the profession and its ethical standards, as well as relevant laws and regulations that may impact practice at the micro, mezzo, and macro levels. Social workers understand frameworks of ethical decision-making and how to apply principles of critical thinking to those frameworks in practice, research, and policy arenas. Social workers recognize personal values and the distinction between personal and professional values. They also understand how their personal experiences and affective reactions influence their professional judgment and behavior. Social workers understand the profession’s history, its mission, and the roles and responsibilities of the profession. Social Workers also understand the role of other professions when engaged in inter-professional teams. Social workers recognize the importance of life-long learning and are committed to continually updating their skills to ensure they are relevant and effective. Social workers also understand emerging forms of technology and the ethical use of technology in social work practice. Social workers:
Practice Behavior 1: Develop a practice framework for analysis of complex environments, that is ethical, value-grounded, and evidenced-based
Practice Behavior 2: Implement supervisory and self-care strategies that integrate professional strengths, limitations, and challenges
Practice Behavior 3: Exhibit commitment to professional growth through continuing education, supervision, and ongoing consultation
Practice Behavior 4: Demonstrate professional oral and written communication skills
Competency #1 in Practice
As a professional social worker, competency 1 aids me in being the best professional I can be. It gives me a foundation to build my personal concept of professionalism on. It maintains that supervision is a tool that is to be used weekly. It also keeps me responsible for my self-care and keeping myself healthy so I can help others more efficiently. Overall, it helps me maintain my professional self.
Evidence for Practice Behavior 1: For this practice behavior, I created a script with my group in my Group Mental Health class. This script is created to be one that represents the implementation of cognitive behavioral therapy, an evidence based therapeutic modality. This script also goes over the right to self determination, a social work value, and confidentiality, a large part of social work ethics.
Evidence for Practice Behavior 2: For this practice behavior I created a self care plan for myself. As a social worker and a student self care is absolutely imperative. This became evident as I spent more time in my practicum setting. My field supervisor requested that I make this and I am incredibly grateful that she did.
Evidence for Practice Behavior 3: During my advanced year, I completed my Six Sigma White Belt training for my Advanced Program Development course. You will find it attached here. According to their website, getting certified as a Six Sigma White belt means I “can assist with change management and can participate in local problem-solving teams supporting projects within an organisation.”
Evidence for Practice Behavior 4: During my advanced year and in my Mental Health class, I created many presentations for both my courses and my field placement. This powerpoint was created to assess potential connections between ACEs and Mental Health. To see my powerpoint for one of my classes, please click here.
For this Competency, I had to use my knowledge about working with people and how to interact in a professional manner. These are skills that I learned during my BSW in my Networking and Career Development course that is reaffirmed and connected to my Practicum classes in my Advanced year. In working to achieve this Competency, I had to remember the importance of human relationships. When I connect with people, for practicum, professional endeavors, in my personal life, etc., I have to remember that my relationship with them is important. Competency 1 has me using my skills of listening, communication, open and close question formation, and critical thinking. For this Competency, I had to use summarizing, clarification and paraphrasing. For these tasks, I had to listen, discern and organize information through communication. I used Rational Choice Theory for this competency. This theory explains why I make the decisions I do and helps me weigh the benefits and consequences of my decisions.