New Ethical Dilemmas: Developing Professional Competency in the Digital Age

Every Thursday from May 16, 2024 to June 27, 2024 (2:00pm- 3:30pm CT)

Online Enhanced Professional Learning (EPL) Series 

Facilitators: Christina Boyd, LSCSW, LCAC and Maryellen Evers, LCSW, CAADC

Summary:

With the sudden onset of the coronavirus, the use of technology and social media by behavioral health and recovery support for personal and professional purposes has increased dramatically. As such, ethical and practice issues like self-disclosure in postings, unintentional boundary crossings and violations, privacy and security problems reflect just some of the new dilemmas clinicians and peer support specialists encounter frequently. Adding to the problem is a lack of definitive guidance from existing professional and ethical codes until recently.

This in-depth, online learning series will address common ethical dilemmas behavioral health and peer support specialists face related to the use of technology, social networking sites, and web-based search engines. Case scenarios, PowerPoint slides, and activities will be used to highlight these dilemmas and encourage discussions among participants related to: 1) Ethics, competency, and the use of technology in the time of COVID-19; 2) Digital Novice vs. Digital Pro; 3) HIPAA and 42CRF Part II considerations for texting, email, and videoconferencing; 4) Use of social media and potential ethical pitfalls; 5) Employer/employee issue with technology ; and 6) Applying ethical decision-making models with ethical dilemmas. This online learning series will provide instruction, learning activities, and self-study as well as interactive discussions/activities, videos, feedback, and articles.

Eligible Participants: 

Space is limited to the first 40 registrants who will receive a grant-funded scholarship that covers the entire $400 cost of participation.

Targeted for any Behavioral health, substance use disorders, and/or recovery support services providers located in the South Southwest ATTC region (HHS Region 6 includes Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas).

Participant Commitments & Expectations:

• Attend a 1-hour online Orientation
• Commit to 6-weeks of live online training for 1.5 hours weekly
• Complete weekly self-study learning activities
• Access to appropriate technology to utilize videoconferencing platform (internet connection, webcam, laptop/tablet, speakers, and microphone)
• Be prepared and actively engage while on camera during each session

Continuing Education:

The series has been approved for a total of 16 contact hours (1-hour orientation and 15-hours content instruction) through the National Association for Addiction Professionals (NAADAC), International Certification & Reciprocity Consortium (IC&RC), and the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) ACEP No. 6492. No credit will be awarded for non-attendance or partial attendance. The knowledge and skills learned should be applied within the framework of any applicable Operating and/or Credentialing regulations in your State of practice.

Questions: [email protected]

This EPL is hosted by NFARtec, a partner with the SSW ATTC.