module 1;Psychology a regulated and legislated profession Flashcards
explain the importance of ethical and professional practice in all aspects of psychological work
Must be mindful of client’s rights, do no harm, act as a role model, be be able to have professional disagreements or queries without being personal or aggro, do not allow ego to interfere with what is best for client.
explain the role of the Australian Health Practitioners Regulation Agency (AHPRA)
The Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA) is the organisation responsible for the implementation of the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme.AHPRA works with 15 National boards (eg boards of dentists, physiotherapists, psychologists etc They shape our thinking about regulatory decision-making and have been designed to encourage a responsive, risk-based approach to regulation across all professions. The first three are pertinent to understanding the role of AHPRA. These are:
The Boards and AHPRA administer and comply with the Health Practitioner Regulation National Law, as in force in each state and territory. The scope of work is defined by national law.
The Boards and AHPRA protect the health and safety of the public by ensuring that only health practitioners who are suitably trained and qualified to practise in a competent and ethical manner are registered.
While the boards and AHPRA balance all the objectives of the National Registration and Accreditation Scheme, their primary consideration is to protect the public.
understand that all psychological work is bound by legislation
3
explain the role of the Psychology Board of Australia
The Psychology Board of Australia (PsyBA)
The functions of the PsyBA include:
registering psychologists and provisional psychologists
developing standards, codes and guidelines for the psychology profession
handling notifications, complaints, investigations and disciplinary hearings
assessing overseas trained practitioners who wish to practise in Australia
approving accreditation standards and accredited courses of study.
The board also ensures that nobody uses the title ‘psychologist’ who are not actually psychologists. The title of psychologist is a protected and legislated title under Australian law.
explain the role of the Australian Psychological Society.
The Australian Psychological Society (APS)
The APS is a national professional society. Established standards for training psychologists, which led to the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC).
The APS is responsible for producing the Code of Ethics and Ethical Guidelines, among other responsibilities.
APAC
The Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC)
APAC approves accredited courses of study, such as:
undergraduate
4th year
5th year (+ 1-year internship)
5th and 6th-year master’s
doctorates.
ethics
Ethics are generally guided by three different sources:
personal—set of personal values or morals
professional—standards endorsed by a profession to ensure that high standards of practice are maintained
the law.
Law always takes priority.
The APS Code of Ethics is built on three general ethical principles:
1.General Principle A: Respect for the rights and dignity of people and peoples
2.General Principle B: Propriety
3.General Principle C: Integrity.
Charter of psychologists
The charter outlines standards that clients should expect from an APS psychologist.
The charter is typically provided by psychologists to their clients or displayed in psychologists’ offices. The charter covers concepts such as providing a clear explanation of fees, ensuring confidentiality and explaining the limits to confidentiality, and receiving informed consent.
