Speak Out October 2017 LOW RES

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October 2017 Speak Out 29
THE VALUES WHICH underpin speech pathology professional
practice support us to demonstrate professional, that is,
ethical, behaviour and are displayed through our actions and
choices. There are many professional obligations, interests and
responsibilities requiring our time and attention, even before we
consider the personal activities we undertake. This may restrict
the time we allocate for reflection on our actions. However, if we
take the time to consider the values that underpin the delivery
of our professional services, we can have confidence that the
decisions we make and the services we provide will reflect our
commitment to the highest standards of care and benefit our
clients.
One method to reflect on how we demonstrate professional
values is to identify an area of practice and explore how our
actions in that area confirms our commitment to uphold those
values. An example is the provision of professional supervision.
The role and importance of supervision is stated explicitly in the
SPA Code of Ethics (2010) in the following sections:
3.3.3 Professional Competence
We maintain our capacity and competence to practise. In
particular we:
...continually update and extend our professional knowledge
and skills through activities such as… engaging the support
of a mentor or supervisor
3.3.4 Supervision
We provide appropriate supervision.
We accept responsibility for clinical and support staff,
students and volunteers who are assigned to us.
We demonstrate and discuss ethical practice with those we
supervise to facilitate their ethical reasoning skills.
3.4.2 Our Staff
If we manage, supervise or employ staff we:
... give them regular supervision, feedback, and access to
continuing education and mentoring.
Whether currently engaged in a supervisory relationship or not,
it is valuable to reflect on how participating in supervision would
demonstrate adherence to the four values described in the Code
of Ethics in a practical way.
Integrity
We are accountable for our professional actions and decisions,
and demonstrate a willingness to have our practice appraised and
developed. Supervision provides us with a forum to raise issues,
undertake problem-solving and to work through concerns with a
view to ensuring consistency and integrity.
Professionalism
One of the objectives of supervision is to provide accountability
within professional behaviour. Professionalism is a foundation for
appropriate service provision and workplace interactions and can
be guided and supported by a supervisor.
Respect and care
Similarly, through discussions with a supervisor, demonstration of
the values of respect and care towards clients and colleagues can
be confirmed.
Quality standards and continuing competence
The Code of Ethics requires speech pathologists to maintain
professional competence and continue to improve and update
knowledge and skills. The Competency Based Occupational
Standards (CBOS 2011) also require speech pathologists to
demonstrate “lifelong learning and reflective practice”. A key
aim of supervision is to ensure the person being supervised has
the competence to undertake their work role, and is receiving
adequate and appropriate training and support to meet the needs
of the client.
Professional supervision fosters reflective practice, encouraging
clinicians to think about and evaluate what they do as
practitioners. By engaging in supervision, we can display the
professional values we aspire to. During supervision the above
values may be discussed explicitly. However, even if they are not,
behaviours and professional practices are shaped and developed
through the process of supervision and the resulting professional
behaviour is assured to be consistent with these values.
It is through our actions that we demonstrate commitment to the
values of the profession. Engaging in supervision is one way we
can demonstrate all the values described in our Code of Ethics.
If you would like to know more about supervision you can visit the
Supervision page on the SPA website > Supervision
From time to time the Ethics Board seeks experienced
supervisors to provide paid supervision to members who have
breached the Code of Ethics and require supervision to rectify
the issue with their practice. If you are interested and have
appropriate experience, please contact Trish Johnson at National
Office or provide an expression of interest with a copy of your CV.
Supervision
How to demonstrate professional values
Trish Johnson
Senior Advisor, Ethics and Professional Issues
Meredith Prain
Professional Support Advisor
“Professional supervision
fosters reflective practice,
encouraging clinicians to think
about and evaluate what they
do as practitioners.”
Ethics
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