ASHA Code of Ethics

Students in Speech-Language Pathology are regarded as professionals and are expected to adhere to the ASHA Code of Ethics. Students are expected to review the Code of Ethics at the onset of each new clinical rotation or semester and/or when working with a novel patient population. 

HIPPA & Confidentiality

Students are required to follow departmental policies and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996 policies regarding confidentiality. The HIPAA requirements apply to the use, storage, and/or electronic transmission of patient related information to ensure patient confidentiality for all healthcare related information. In general, the rules state that any health care provider or insurance entity that maintains or transmits individually identifiable health information, referred to as “protected information,” about a client/patient is deemed a “covered entity” and is subject to HIPAA. The HIPAA privacy rule, along with the information itself, covers an entity or device that collects, stores, or transmits data electronically (including Social Media), orally, in writing, or through any form of communication, including fax. Please refer to Clinic Handbook, Policies, Procedures & Protocols Page  and the  University’s policies here: CSUMB Privacy Policy 

Professionalism

When in the on-campus clinic, academic environments, and community-based settings, students must comply with all policies and procedures associated with CSUMB clinical assignments and academic contexts; therefore, attire and behavior should reflect professionalism. 

Student clinicians should remember they are practicing under the licenses of the Clinical Instructors.

Professional attire is expected at all times in the CSUMB SLP Clinic. The CSUMB SLP Clinic is proud that its workforce reflects the diverse nature of the community it serves, and clothes reflecting ethnic background, religious beliefs, or cultural tradition are both welcomed and encouraged. The CSUMB SLP Clinic recognizes that each person has the right to be an individual, but this must be balanced against the clinic's requirement that staff and students: present a professional appearance at all times to promote confidence and professionalism to clients (adults/children), caregivers, students and colleagues do not compromise their own, or others' health & safety and security. 

The use of non-sexist, person-first and professional language is expected in written assignments and in class discussion. Guidelines are available in the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (APA). Please refer to the following resource: 

• CSUMB Practicum Website- Professional Dispositions & Core Functions

• ASHA Code of Ethics

Graduate clinicians will be expected to use professional communication when interacting with peers, staff, and families at the CSUMB SLP Clinic. Communication with families should be specific to the intervention and the student’s progress. Graduate student clinicians are asked to cc their clinical supervisors on all CSUMB SLP Clinic correspondence. Graduate clinicians may not use personal cell phones or emails in communication with clients or caregivers. Please ensure use of clinic phone number and student CSUMB email only during communications and ALWAYS cc your CSS on all email correspondence. Students please reference your practicum handbook (linked below) and clinical practicum website for more on this topic. 

• CSUMB Practicum Website- Professional Dispositions & Core Functions

• Student Practicum Handbook

Consequences of Clinical Misconduct

The following subsections of Clinical Conduct outline clinical conduct expectations of students. Should a student violate these expectations and/or demonstrate misconduct, the Clinical Instructor of record will report the misconduct to the Coordinator of Clinical Education, who will confer with the Program Director. Any violation or misconduct could result in an immediate statement of concern with an action plan or dismissal from a clinical placement and impact academic standings in the Masters Speech-Language Pathology clinical program.