Ethical Issues in Social Work (Online)
4 Credit Hours | $55.00 | Author: Dr. Frederic G. Reamer
Skill Level: Intermediate

This ASWB/ACE certified social work ethics course will provide participants with a comprehensive overview of ethical issues encountered in social work. Using extensive case material, participants will learn about the range of ethical issues and challenges in social work; how to manage complex practice-based ethical dilemmas; how to prevent ethics-related malpractice; and how to avoid liability. Emphasis will be on practical strategies designed to protect clients, professionals, and human service agencies. Key topics will include: (1) the nature of ethical issues in social work; (2) ethical dilemmas in clinical social work (the delivery of services to individuals, families, couples, small groups), supervision, and agency administration; (3) ethical decision-making (conceptual frameworks and practical strategies); and (4) ethics risk-management protocols (practical strategies designed to protect clients, third parties, employers, and practitioners). Special attention will be paid to issues of client confidentiality and privacy, the limits of clients' right to self-determination, privileged communication, informed consent procedures, the use of high-risk treatment approaches, boundary issues and dual relationships, conflicts of interest, defamation of character, consultation and referral, supervision, termination of services, documentation, and the problem of impaired practitioners. Participants will be provided with a typology of compelling ethical dilemmas and high risk areas.

The on-line course material is presented in a PDF with pre-established bookmarks outlining the different sections of the course. Click on "bookmarks" on the left side of the PDF to access the course sections. If you do not have the most recent version of Adobe Reader, click here to download a free copy. You will temporarily leave the site until the download is complete and you close out of the Adobe site.

eLearning Essentials, provider #1123, is approved as a provider for social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB). Ethical Issues in Social Work, ACE #1123-E1205-01 is certified for social work ethics continuing education by ASWB, www.aswb.org, through the Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Social Workers participating in this course will receive 4 continuing education clock hours.

eLearning Essentials, provider #RCS050601, is recognized by the Ohio Counselor, Social Worker, Marriage and Family Therapist Board to be a provider of continuing professsional education (CPE) for Social Workers. Social Workers participating in this course will receive 4 continuing education clock hours.

eLearning Essentials, provider # 50-8572, is recognized by the Florida Board of Clinical Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapy, and Mental Health Counseling to offer continuing education for counselors, social workers, and marriage and family therapists. Participants will receive 4 continuing education clock hours.

eLearning Essentials, provider # PCE 4004, is recognized by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences to offer continuing education to meet MFT and LCSW licensure requirements. Participants will receive 4 continuing education clock hours.

eLearning Essentials adheres to each board's guidelines and maintains responsibility for the program.

Course Objectives

• Identify historical trends in the evolution of social work ethics.
• Identify common ethical issues and dilemmas in social work.
• Apply key ethics concepts and ethical decision-making frameworks and protocols.
• Apply ethical standards in the NASW Code of Ethics.
• Apply relevant statutes and regulations that have ethical implications.
• Identify ethical issues that pose malpractice and liability risks.
• Design strategies designed to protect clients and prevent ethics complaints and lawsuits.
• Recognize the relationship between ethical standards and cultural/social diversity.

  Click here for a summary of the key topics for each learning objective.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Frederic G. Reamer is a professor in the graduate program of the School of Social Work, Rhode Island College, where he has been on the faculty since 1983. His research and teaching have addressed a wide range of human service issues, including mental health, health care, criminal justice, public welfare, and professional ethics. Dr. Reamer received his Ph.D. from the University of Chicago (1978) and has served as a social worker in correctional and mental health settings. He has also served on the faculties of the University of Chicago, School of Social Service Administration (1978-1981), and the University of Missouri-Columbia, School of Social Work (1981-1983). Dr. Reamer has served as Director of the National Juvenile Justice Assessment Center of the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention (1979-1981); as Senior Policy Advisor to the Governor of Rhode Island (1987-1990); and as a Commissioner of the Rhode Island Housing and Mortgage Finance Corporation, the state housing finance agency (1987-1995). Since 1992 Dr. Reamer has served on the State of Rhode Island Parole Board. He also served as Editor-in-Chief of the Journal of Social Work Education (1990-1994). In 1995 Dr. Reamer was appointed editor of the Columbia University Press Social Work Knowledge book series. He currently serves as Associate Editor of the forthcoming National Association of Social Workers Encyclopedia of Social Work (20th edition). Dr. Reamer has conducted extensive research on professional ethics. He has been involved in several national research projects sponsored by The Hastings Center, the Carnegie Corporation, and the Haas Foundation. He is the author of many books and articles.

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