Speak Out February 2019

Theme from formal complaints and queries

Suitable actions to take

Record keeping •

develop a policy for how, where, when

Practice policies

• undertake regular checks to make sure it’s happening Professional support • access/provide support for professional development activities • access/provide support for professional supervision Confidentiality • how it will be maintained • familiarity of staff with policies – is regular review and discussion useful? employment agreements, possibly with external advice. • employee: Understand your employment agreement, possibly with external advice. • restraint of trade clause – seek external advice to know how it should be written (employer), what does it mean (employee) • when an employee leaves a practice – what can the employee tell clients, plan for a discussion, timing of handover, and what to do if clients seek the employee out at the new location • use of employer’s resources outside the practice • know and understand legal obligations e.g. OH&S From both employer and employee perspectives • employer: prepare and understand appropriate

Employment agreements

With colleagues •

plan the points to discuss

Difficult conversations

•

demonstrate respect, fairness

• acknowledge if it is an emotional topic however main- tain a professional focus

• consider where your personal competencies lie • how do you engage in ongoing learning to develop professional knowledge and skill • develop your awareness of SPA resources, interact with professional networks • practice rating and understanding evidence in the literature • identify when to refer to another speech pathologist with expertise in a particular area.

Competency and EBP

For any discussion about these topics or other ethical issues that arise in 2019, support is close at hand. Call or email: Trish Johnson, SPA Senior Advisor, Ethics and Professional issues tjohnson@speechpathologyaustralia.org.au 03 9642 4899 1300 368 835

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February 2019 www.speechpathologyaustralia.org.au

Speak Out