ATRA Code of Ethics
The American Therapeutic Recreation
Association's Code of Ethics is to be used as a guide for promoting and
maintaining the highest standards of ethical behavior. The Code applies to all
Recreational Therapy personnel. The term Recreational Therapy personnel
includes Certified Therapeutic Recreation Specialists (CTRS), recreational
therapy assistants and recreational therapy students. Acceptance of membership
in the American Therapeutic Recreation Association commits a member to
adherence to these principles.
Principle 1 Beneficence
Recreational Therapy personnel shall treat
persons served in an ethical manner by actively making efforts to provide for
their well-being by maximizing possible benefits and relieving, lessening, or
minimizing possible harm.
Principle 2
Non-Maleficence
Recreational Therapy personnel have an
obligation to use their knowledge, skills, abilities, and judgment to help
persons while respecting their decisions and protecting them from harm.
Principle 3 Autonomy
Recreational Therapy personnel have a duty to
preserve and protect the right of each individual to make his/her own choices.
Each individual is to be given the opportunity to determine his/her own course
of action in accordance with a plan freely chosen. In the case of individuals
who are unable to exercise autonomy with regard to their care, recreational
therapy personnel have the duty to respect the decisions of their qualified
legal representative.
Principle 4 Justice
Recreational Therapy personnel are responsible
for ensuring that individuals are served fairly and that there is equity in the
distribution of services. Individuals should receive services without regard to
race, color, creed, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability/disease, social
and financial status.
Principle 5 Fidelity
Recreational Therapy personnel have an
obligation, first and foremost, to be loyal, faithful, and meet commitments
made to persons receiving services. In addition, Recreational Therapy personnel
have a secondary obligation to colleagues, agencies, and the profession.
Principle 6 Veracity
Recreational Therapy personnel shall be
truthful and honest. Deception, by being dishonest or omitting what is true,
should always be avoided.
Principle 7 Informed
Consent
Recreational Therapy personnel should provide
services characterized by mutual respect and shared decision making. These
personnel are responsible for providing each individual receiving service with
information regarding the services, benefits, outcomes, length of treatment,
expected activities, risk and limitations, including the professional’s
training and credentials. Informed consent is obtained when information needed
to make a reasoned decision is provided by the professional to competent
persons seeking services who then decide whether or not to accept the
treatment.
Principle 8
Confidentiality & Privacy
Recreational Therapy personnel have a duty to
disclose all relevant information to persons seeking services: they also have a
corresponding duty not to disclose private information to third parties. If a
situation arises that requires disclosure of confidential information about an
individual (ie: to protect the individual’s welfare or the interest of others)
the professional has the responsibility to inform the individual served of the
circumstances.
Principle 9 Competence
Recreational Therapy personnel have the
responsibility to maintain and improve their knowledge related to the
profession and demonstrate current, competent practice to persons served. In
addition, personnel have an obligation to maintain their credential.
Principle 10 Compliance
with Laws and Regulations
Recreational Therapy personnel are responsible
for complying with local, state and federal laws, regulations and ATRA policies
governing the profession of Recreational Therapy.
Revised by the ATRA Board of Directors | July
2009
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