Incorporated
Copyright :
The New Zealand Therapeutic
Recreation Association Incorporated (NZTRA), endorses
the contents of ATRA Code of Ethics 1990/ revised 2001, with the permission of
the American Therapeutic Recreation Association (ATRA). The NZTRA Code of
Ethics has been based strongly on this document, for the purpose of
international ethical understanding by therapeutic recreation practitioners, in
the practice of therapeutic recreation within
NZTRA Code of Ethics
The NZTRA Code of Ethics is to be used as a guide for
promoting and maintaining the highest standards of ethical behaviour. The Code
applies to all therapeutic recreation personnel. The term therapeutic recreation personnel includes;
registered therapeutic recreation specialists (RTRS), pre-registered
therapeutic recreation specialists (TRS), therapeutic recreation assistants and
therapeutic recreation students. Acceptance of membership in the New Zealand
Therapeutic Recreation Association commits a member to adherence to these
principles.
Principle
1- Beneficence / Non-Maleficence
Therapeutic recreation personnel shall treat persons in an ethical manner not
only by respecting their decisions and protecting them from harm but also by
actively making efforts to secure their well-being. Personnel strive to maximise possible benefits, and minimise
possible harms. This serves as the guiding principle for the professional. The
term "persons" includes, not only persons served but also colleagues,
agencies and the profession.
Principle
2 Autonomy
Therapeutic recreation 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. Particular attention should be paid to awareness and
acceptance of cultural differences in the provision of therapeutic recreation
services, to ensure cultural safety of the client and therapeutic recreation
professionals. Therapeutic recreation professionals, individually and collectively,
seek to be informed about the meaning and implications of the Treaty of Waitangi for their work. This includes the principles of
protection, participation and partnership with Maori. Both Maori and non-Maori
therapeutic recreation professionals who work with Maori shall seek advice and
undertake training in the appropriate way to show respect for the dignity and
needs of Maori in their practice.
Principle
3 Justice
Therapeutic recreation personnel are responsible for ensuring that individuals
are served fairly and that there is equity in the distribution of services.
Individuals receive service without regard to race, colour,
creed, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, physical or mental
ability , social and financial status. and/or any other
personal characteristic, condition or status.
Principle
4 Fidelity
Therapeutic Recreation personnel have an obligation to be loyal, faithful and
meet commitments made to persons receiving services, colleagues, agencies and
the profession.
Principle
5 Veracity/ Informed Consent
Therapeutic recreation personnel shall be truthful and honest. Therapeutic
recreation personnel are responsible for providing each individual receiving
service with information regarding the service and the professional's training
and credentials; benefits, outcomes, length of treatment, expected activities,
risks and limitations. Each individual receiving service has the right to know
what is likely to take place during and as a result of professional
intervention. Therapeutic recreation professionals seek to collect only that
information which is relevant the purpose(s) for which informed consent has
been obtained.
Principle
6 Confidentiality and Privacy
Therapeutic recreation personnel are responsible for safeguarding information
about individual clients. Clientele have the right to control information about
them. When a situation arises that requires disclosure of confidential
information about an individual, to protect the individual's welfare or the
interest of others, the therapeutic recreation professional has the
responsibility/obligation to inform the individual served of the circumstances
in which confidentiality was broken. Therapeutic recreation professionals
store, handle, transfer and dispose of all records, both written and
electronically recorded, in a manner that attends to needs for privacy and
security.
Principle
7 Competence
Therapeutic recreation personnel have the responsibility to continually seek to
expand one's knowledge base related to therapeutic recreation practice. The
professional is responsible for keeping a record of participation in training
activities. The professional has the responsibility for contributing to
advancement of the profession through activities such as research,
dissemination of information through publications and professional
presentations, and through active involvement in professional organisations.
Principle
8 Compliance With Laws & Regulations
Therapeutic recreation personnel are responsible for complying with current
Laws, Acts of Parliament, and NZTRA policies governing the profession of
therapeutic recreation in New Zealand. Legislation relevant to the therapeutic
recreation profession includes:
Health and Disability
Commissioner Act (1994)
Health and Disability
Services Consumer Rights (1996)
Health and Disability
Services Act (1993)
Privacy Act (1993)
Health Information
Privacy Code (1994)
Accident
Rehabilitation and Compensation Insurance Act (1992)
Fair Trading Act
(1996)
Consumer Guarantees
Act (1993)
The
The Health (Retention
of Health Information) Regulations (1996)
Human Rights Act
(1993)
April 2005