Click here to view Standard 2.1 Use of Title as a PDF document

Standard

A registrant of RCASLPNB accurately uses their appropriate protected title(s) or credential abbreviation(s) to identify themselves to the patient or client and others in all professional encounters.

Indicators

To demonstrate this standard, the registrant will:

1. Accurately represent their protected titles, abbreviations and initials of their profession to ensure patients or clients and others, understand their professional identity.
2. Follow accepted conventions for listing protected titles, academic credentials, certifications, and other professional designations in all forms of communication.

Expected Outcome

Patients or clients can expect the registrant to communicate their professional identity and credentials clearly and accurately.

Glossary

Patient or client refers to a recipient of the services of an audiologist or speech-language pathologist.

Registrant means an audiologist or a speech-language pathologist and any person whose name is entered in the temporary register or in any of the rosters established and maintained under the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Act, the bylaws and rules.

Click here to view Standard 2.2 Privacy and Confidentiality as a PDF document

Standard

A registrant of RCASLPNB engages in practices and maintains an environment that protects the privacy and confidentiality of patient or client information in all contexts of service delivery, in compliance with all relevant provincial legislation.

Indicators

To demonstrate this standard, the registrant will: 

1. Comply with all relevant privacy legislation.
2. Access information and records only as required for the provision of professional services.
3. Minimize risks to patient or client information, privacy and confidentiality during record transfers between locations or mediums.
4. Abide by relevant legislation that details how and when to report privacy breaches.

Expected Outcome

Patients and clients can expect that their rights to privacy and confidentiality are maintained in compliance with all relevant provincial legislation.

Glossary

Confidential/confidentiality implies a trust relationship between the person supplying personal information (including health information) and the individual or organization collecting it. The relationship is built on the assurance that the information will only be used by or disclosed to authorized persons or to others with the individual’s permission. Protecting the confidentiality of personal information and personal health information implies that individually identifying information is concealed from all but authorized parties.

Patient or client-centered approach/services refer to a partnership between service providers and the patient or client where the patient or client retains control over their care and is provided access to the knowledge and skills of team members to arrive at a realistic team shared plan of care and access to the resources to achieve the plan.

Professional services refer to any service that falls within the practice of a regulated profession; for the professions of audiology and speech-language pathology, these are as outlined in the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Act.

Record refers to the entire collection of a patients’ or clients’ information over time, regardless of the format or how it is documented, recorded, or stored.

Registrant means an audiologist or a speech-language pathologist and any person whose name is entered in the temporary register or in any of the rosters established and maintained under the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Act, the bylaws and rules.

Click here to view Standard 2.3 Consent as a PDF document

Standard

A registrant of RCASLPNB obtains proper consent prior to providing professional services and complies with all provincial legislation governing consent and capacity.

Indicators

To demonstrate this standard, the registrant will:         

1. Comply with all relevant provincial legislation regarding consent and capacity to provide consent.
2. Assess patients’ or clients’ understanding of proposed services and use appropriate communication strategies to support informed decision-making.
3. Clearly inform the patient or client of the risks, benefits and available alternatives related to proposed service plans, including any changes to those services.
4. Obtain and document informed consent from the patient or client where required in accordance with relevant provincial legislation.
5. Exercise additional care to ensure that informed consent is obtained for procedures that patients or clients could misinterpret (e.g., touch and physical closeness).
6. Respect patients’ or clients’ rights to choose among service options, refuse interventions, or withdraw consent for all or part of the service at any time.

Expected Outcome

Patients and clients can expect the registrant to comply with all relevant provincial legislation concerning consent and capacity. This includes ensuring individuals are informed of the risks and benefits of service options where required by legislation, and respecting their right to give, refuse, or withdraw consent at any time.

Glossary

Informed consent means that a patient or client agrees to a service after understanding its’ purpose, benefits, risks, and available alternatives.  Informed consent must be obtained when required by relevant provincial legislation and can be withdrawn by the patient or client at any time.

Intervention/intervention strategy refers to the various services provided to patients or clients, including, but not limited to, assessment, individual or group treatment, counselling, home programming, caregiver training, devices, and discharge planning.

Patient or client refers to a recipient of the services of an audiologist or speech-language pathologist.

Professional services refer to any service that falls within the practice of a regulated profession; for the professions of audiology and speech-language pathology, these are as outlined in the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Act.

Registrant means an audiologist or a speech-language pathologist and any person whose name is entered in the temporary register or in any of the rosters established and maintained under the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Act, the bylaws and rules.

Click here to view Standard 2.4 Professional Boundaries as a PDF document

Standard

Refer to Standard Area 5.0, Sexual Abuse and Sexual Misconduct for additional information with respect to professional boundaries, and specifically the requirements of registrants in relation to protecting the public from sexual abuse and sexual misconduct.

Indicators

To demonstrate this standard, the registrant will:

1. Distinguish between non-professional and professional relationships, recognizing power dynamics, trust and the situations when professional boundaries could be compromised (e.g., treating family, friends, care partners, or fellow registrants).
2. Behave respectfully and responsibly with patients or clients, colleagues, students and others, refraining from sexually suggestive, racist, or discriminatory comments or actions, or the expression of opinions or remarks that could violate professional boundaries.
3. Exercise additional care to ensure that informed consent is obtained for procedures that patients or clients could misinterpret (e.g., touch and physical closeness).
4. Terminate the professional relationship if boundaries cannot be established or maintained, transferring care as necessary.
5. Uphold the integrity of the profession by always demonstrating responsibility and accountability for their actions.

Expected Outcome

Patients or clients, colleagues, students, and others can expect that their relationship with a registrant of RCASLPNB will be respectful, and professional boundaries will always be maintained.

Glossary

Care partner refers to an individual who supports someone with a health condition, disability, or other need, often as a member of the care team. They provide physical, emotional, and cognitive support, and are considered vital members of the caregiving process. Care partners can be family members, friends, or other significant individuals in the person's life.

Informed consent means that a patient or client agrees to a service after understanding its’ purpose, benefits, risks, and available alternatives.  Informed consent must be obtained when required by relevant provincial legislation and can be withdrawn by the patient or client at any time.

Patient or client refers to a recipient of the services of an audiologist or speech-language pathologist.

Professional boundaries are the parameters that define a safe professional relationship. These parameters set limits for the relationship based on the recognition of the inherent power imbalance, the vulnerability of the patient or client, and the responsibilities of the registrant in the professional relationship. Professional boundaries help the registrant, and the patient or client recognize the differences between professional and personal relationships and avoid potential misunderstanding of words and actions.

Professional relationship refers to the connection between a registrant and a patient, client, or colleague, established through the provision of service.

Registrant means an audiologist or a speech-language pathologist and any person whose name is entered in the temporary register or in any of the rosters established and maintained under the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Act, the bylaws and rules.

Sexual abuse of a patient or client by a registrant refers to any of the following: sexual intercourse or other forms of physical sexual relations between the registrant and the patient or client; touching, of sexual nature, of the patient or client by the registrant; or behaviour or remarks of a sexual nature by the registrant towards the patient or client.

Sexual misconduct- Any behavior engaged in, or attention given, that is sexual in nature and done without consent.

Click here to view Standard 2.5 Conflict of Interest as a PDF document

Standard

A registrant of RCASLPNB identifies and manages all situations or circumstances of real, perceived, or potential conflict of interest to safeguard their professional integrity and uphold the best interests of patients or clients.

Indicators

To demonstrate this standard, the registrant will:

1. Identify situations that could lead to or be interpreted as a conflict of interest (e.g., potential for personal or financial gain), avoiding such conflicts whenever possible.
2. Manage real, perceived or potential conflict of interest situations through appropriate actions (e.g., disclosure or transfer of care to minimize the impact).
3. In situations when conflicts of interest cannot be avoided or resolved, document a description of the situation, efforts to resolve the conflict and the outcome.

Expected Outcome

Patients or clients can expect audiologists and speech-language pathologists to act in their best interest, disclose any conflicts of interest, and take steps to address conflicts in a transparent and respectful manner.

Glossary

Conflict of interest refers to a situation in which someone in a position of trust has competing professional and/or personal interests. Such competing interests can make it difficult to act impartially. A conflict of interest may exist even if no unethical or improper act results from it. A conflict of interest can undermine confidence in the person or the profession.

Patient or client refers to a recipient of the services of an audiologist or speech-language pathologist.

Registrant means an audiologist or a speech-language pathologist and any person whose name is entered in the temporary register or in any of the rosters established and maintained under the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Act, the bylaws and rules.