Sec. 14.09.07.05. Standards of Practice for Rehabilitation Counselors and Vocational Evaluators

A. Scope. This regulation applies only to rehabilitation counselors and vocational evaluators.

B. Standards.

(1) Rehabilitation counselors and vocational evaluators shall use their professional skills to promote a disabled covered employee's active participation in plan development and the rehabilitation process within the disabled covered employee's physical and mental abilities.

(2) Rehabilitation counselors and vocational evaluators shall function within the limits of their defined roles, training, and professional competencies.

(3) Rehabilitation counselors and vocational evaluators may not engage in any activity which may compromise the health, safety, or welfare of the disabled covered employee, and shall avoid continuing a consulting or counseling relationship if it is reasonably expected that the relationship can be of no benefit to the client.

(4) Rehabilitation counselors and vocational evaluators shall demonstrate honesty and objectivity in:

(a) The administration, scoring, interpretation, and utilization of assessment instruments;

(b) The writing of reports; and

(c) Charges for professional services.

(5) Rehabilitation counselors and vocational evaluators may not engage in harassment or discrimination of disabled covered employees on the basis of age, race, creed, national origin, gender, disability, or religious affiliation.

(6) Rehabilitation counselors and vocational evaluators may not engage in any act or omission of a dishonest, deceitful, or fraudulent nature in the conduct of their professional activities.

(7) Rehabilitation counselors and vocational evaluators may not allow the pursuit of financial gain or other personal benefit to interfere with the exercise of sound professional judgment and skills.

(8) Rehabilitation counselors and vocational evaluators may not disparage the competency or ethics of other professionals or agencies in discussions with their clients.

(9) Rehabilitation counselors and vocational evaluators shall perform appropriate and objective vocational evaluations and vocational assessments promptly.

(10) Rehabilitation counselors and vocational evaluators shall work cooperatively in a multidisciplinary effort to provide services leading to suitable gainful employment for an injured worker.

C. Penalties. Violation of one or more of the standards in §B of this regulation may result in the Commission:

(1) Suspending or revoking the practitioner's registration;

(2) Placing the practitioner on probation; or

(3) Reprimanding the practitioner.