“We have the opportunity to really shape how someone’s current situation is and how their future looks. And that’s a pretty amazing power.”
-Theresa Houck
COMPETENCY 1- Ethics and Professionalism
Demonstrate Ethical and Professional Behavior
As a professional social worker, I will strive to represent the values of the profession and act in accordance with the NASW Codes of Ethics. When ethical dilemmas arise, I will use critical thinking and decision-making frameworks to guide my behavior. I will implement self- care strategies and reflection to ensure that I am mentally and emotionally prepared to engage with clients and colleagues. I will demonstrate professional behavior by identifying my strengths and weaknesses and adjusting as needed to ensure that I am competent. I will conduct myself in a professional manner by dressing appropriately, practicing time management, and communicating effectively. I am dedicated to professional growth and persistent learning through continuing education and research. Throughout my career, I will utilize supervision and consultation to ensure professionalism and ethics are being maintained.
PRACTICE BEHAVIORS:
1a: Develop a practice framework for analysis of complex environments, that is ethical, value-grounded, and evidence-based.
Academic Evidence: In the course Advanced Administrative Practice: Administrative and Leadership Skills, I had the opportunity to analyze a case study and apply Trevino and Nelson’s Eight Steps to the provided Ethical Dilemma. Using critical thinking skills and utilizing these structured steps provides guidance on complex ethical decision making in social work practice. This activity helped me better understand how the steps can break down (cognitive level: analysis) an ethical dilemma in the social work profession.
Field Evidence: During my time at the City of Refuge, I collaborated with two LCSW social workers to design and implement a holistic wellness program which intervened with at risk youth and addressed health equity. The foundation of the program highlights the NASW codes of ethics and professional behavior. The framework additionally provided an analysis of complex environments and is highlighted in the Grant Program Summary created in collaboration. Designing and implementing this program helped me better understand how remain ethical and professional in complex environments and situations.
Other Evidence: During supervision, I discussed with my supervisor, the Trevino and Nelson’s Eight Steps model to decision making. Utilizing this framework at the City of Refuge provided an analysis for complex environments and assisted with ethical decision making. Having a discussion and applying the eight steps to a real case helped me better understand the importance of assessing ethical dilemmas to distinguish (cognitive level: comprehension) ethical decisions. This is outlined in Sonia Monthly Field Journal for April.
1b: Implement supervisory and self-care strategies that integrate professional strengths, limitations, and challenges.
Academic Evidence: In the course Advanced Clinical Practice I, I completed a CBT Self-Assessment paper which allowed me to utilize supervision and consultation to promote professional growth as a clinician. Using professor and peer feedback, I analyzed my facilitation of CBT therapy to enhance my clinical skills . In addition, I utilized self-reflection to identify my strengths, weaknesses, and limitations to further enhance my clinical skills. This assignment helped me understand the importance of supervisory strategies and self-reflection as well as its impact on professional growth.
Field Evidence: Implementing ongoing supervision and understanding the importance of self-care, I created (cognitive level: synthesis) an Personalized Selfcare Plan. This list gives me ideas for self-care that I practice weekly and enjoy. Completing this task reminds me of the importance of self-care and its impact on my emotional and mental health.
Other Evidence: Because social workers and mental health professionals have the possibility of experiencing vicarious trauma or burnout, I presented on the topic Exercise and Nutrition in Mental Health to my colleagues in the course Mental Health Practice in Social Work: Evolving Perspectives and Advance Contemporary Practice. While this presentation focused on implementing exercise and nutrition with clients, it also highlights the importance of professionals utilizing the intervention. This presentation utilized supervisory strategies, empirical research, and strategies for practice.
1c: Exhibit commitment to professional growth through continuing education, supervision, and ongoing consultation.
Academic Evidence: I have continuously shown my commitment to growth through continuing education, supervision, and ongoing consultation. In 2020 and 2021, I received an Academic Achievement award which highlights my dedication to being a successful student and competent social worker. I additionally received the MSW Academic Excellence Award in 2021, which was only received by two students.
Field Evidence: During my time at the City of Refuge, I greatly appreciated the supervision. I met with my supervisors once a week for ongoing consultation and guidance. This was a time to ask questions, discuss concerns, and identify strengths and challenges. I wrote a Sonia Monthly Field Journal for March that involved a supervisory meeting discussing (affective level: responding) my challenges in group settings. This was a time to think critically and identify solutions while receiving guidance from an LCSW with many years of experience. After this supervisory meeting, I implemented activities that reflected Theories of Human Development (social, emotional, behavioral, and cognitive) with the City Lights youth group.
Other Evidence: In the course Advanced Administrative Practice: Program Development, I completed the CITI training course and received Certification. Exhibiting my commitment to professional growth through continuing education, I learned about the key components of ethical research. Using the knowledge from the training, I am able to conduct professional and ethical research as well as interact appropriately and ethically with research participants. In the course Mental Health Practice in Social Work: Evolving Perspectives and Advance Contemporary Practice, completed two trainings and received a Certificate of Completion Making it Matter with Micro Interventions and Certificate of Completion Suicide Safe Care. These trainings focused on DBT Therapy processes and how to implement specific clinical skills with clients in crisis.
1d: Demonstrate professional oral and written communication skills.
Academic Evidence: In the course Advanced Administrative Practice: Program Development, I demonstrated professional oral skills by presenting a program proposal with my colleagues. The presentation and the program proposal highlights the implementation of the Community Connect Project (CCP) in the Chattanooga Police Department (CPD) which focused on diversity awareness, racial trauma, and cultural competence. I demonstrated each of the NASW values of service, social justice, dignity and worth of a person, importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence.
Field Evidence: During my time at the City of Refuge, I demonstrated professional oral and written communication by assisting with the facilitation of the City Lights youth group. This group was conducted once a week for two hours, over the course of 8 months. Each month, we focused on one dimension of wellness with the purpose of leading youth towards health and wellness as well as the prevention of potential crises. These Social Wellness Agendas that I created, outline the activities and discussions for the month of April.
Other Evidence: In the course Advanced Administration: Administrative and Leadership Skills, I demonstrated oral and written communication by preparing and conducting a RISE Organizational Funding Speech. The speech was conducted for potential donors interested in monetarily assisting the non-profit, independent living program for foster youth aging out of care. Using empirical research and statistics, this assignment helped me understand the importance of professional written and oral communications as well as its impact on professionalism.