VECAP Code of Ethics

​

Responsibility

The member’s primary responsibility is to the individual served. The member shall be continuously aware of the relationship between responsibilities to the individuals served, to the profession and to the employer. The member shall encourage and expect ethical and competent behavior from colleagues, whether or not they are members of this Organization, and shall attempt to rectify behavior which is contradictory. The member owes loyalty to the Organization where employed and shall utilize this Code of Ethics to influence the day-to-day activities of the Organization.

​

Professional Competence

The member shall demonstrate competency gained through education and experience with particular emphasis on the utilization of vocational evaluation and career assessment procedures, the understanding and interpretation of information acquired during the evaluation and assessment process, knowledge of the world of work, and familiarity with studies of human behavior.

​

Confidentiality

The member shall respect the privacy of the individual served and shall safeguard all information and materials obtained during the evaluation and assessment process. The member shall inform the individual served, or the individual’s agent, about the purpose of any professional service being contemplated; information generated during the administration of such services shall only be communicated to those with an essential need to know as part of the evaluation and assessment process. The individual served shall be made aware of who is in receipt of such information. If such information is used in teaching, research or writing, the identity of the individual served shall be protected.

​

Interprofessional Relationships

The member shall be cognizant of relationship to other professional personnel involved in the evaluation and assessment process and shall be aware that the welfare of individuals receiving services depends on the capacity of all professional personnel to integrate their efforts. As part of this awareness, the member shall avoid practicing in areas not within member’s professional competence. Likewise the member shall assist other professional personnel in understanding this role and shall be prepared to respond when others seek assistance.

​

Publications

The member shall communicate through publications or other appropriate means, such as seminars, information the member believes will contribute to the existing fund of knowledge. In such instances, the member shall adequately acknowledge the contributions of all individuals or Organizations.

​

Consultation

The member may accept consulting assignments, however, shall insure competency in all areas related to such assignments. Information regarding either the Organization or individuals served shall be regarded as confidential and shall not be used for unethical purposes or personal advantage. The member shall receive appropriate employer sanction prior to accepting consultative assignments.

​

​

VECAP Value Statement and Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

 

VECAP is dedicated to fostering diversity and inclusion as fundamental values of the association.We promote nondiscrimination based on race, color, class, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, ethnicity, national origin, immigration status, age, religion, disability, genetics, and veteran status, as well as for groups or individuals disenfranchised by social and economic challenges. We oppose inequities in all forms and in all systems and support initiatives providing full access to employment, community engagement, and other opportunities. We respect human dignity; recognizing and valuing the uniqueness of each individual and their contributions to the community.  VECAP applies these same values beyond our professional practice to our membership and our community at large and expects our members to conduct themselves ethically in accordance with these values.

​

VECAP Statement on Virtual Delivery of Services

 

Our current situation with COVID19 provides a unique challenge to a profession that takes pride in providing individualized services to meet the unique needs of each of the people we serve. That does not change during this challenging time. According to the VECAP Code of Ethics, our primary responsibility is to the individual served. It may be possible to responsibly meet the needs of the individual, while keeping the integrity of the Vocational Evaluation/Assessment process,through a virtual delivery of service. Itshould be recognized that virtual delivery of service might not beappropriateforall individuals.VECAP offersthe following guidelines:

 

• Each practitioner is highly encouraged to take into account the individual’s abilities (e.g.,comfort level with the technology to be used, computer operation aptitude or capability)and case needs (e.g.,access to accommodations and/or assistive technology)when making a decision on virtual service delivery. A collaborative conversation with all parties involved(the client, client support system if applicable, and the counselor/referral source)is beneficial to decide on the best path before moving forward with providing services virtually.

• Delivery of virtual services should be completed only through a means that is HIPPA compliant to protect the confidential nature of the information shared. ▪Screen sharing and virtual monitoring for the entirety of the session(s) is necessaryto ensure the individual is participating without undue assistance and that the session remains confidential.

• Accommodations and/or assistive devices need to be provided to meet individual needs, when and where appropriate to ensure optimal performance.

• When appropriate, additional in-person follow-up services should be recommended/provided when it is safe to do so.

• VE Practitioners should follow the guidelines of their referral source or state, as well as assessment company tele-health guidelines(including those on copyrights, instrument reliability/validity, etc.),when delivering services virtually.

• The client needs to feel fully comfortable with virtual service delivery. If the individual expresses discomfort or it is apparent the virtual service delivery is not working, the practitioner should discuss discontinuing the session, continuing it at another time that is agreeable to the individualor continuing in an in-person format when available.