The ‘Code of Conduct’ is a promise of professional practice upheld by all members of Paramedics Australasia (PA).
As student members of the college, it is expect at all paramedic students familiarise themselves with the PA Code of Conduct and honour its worth through positive engagement with community, industry and related stakeholders. At the centre of code, is a commitment to providing professional care to what counts most, the patient.
The Code of Conduct is not solely referred to for standards in clinical practice. It encompasses expectations regarding ethical behaviours, attitudes to care, and principles of good patient interaction.
The PA Code of Conduct is made up of eight rules:
- Integrity: In carrying out their professional duties, Members must be honest, sincere and trustworthy, acting in a manner that does not bring discredit to their profession.
- Respect: Members must ensure their actions and treatment demonstrates respect for the client as a person and that care is provided at the highest professional standard.
- Responsibility/Accountability: Members must remain personally responsible and accountable for the professional decisions they make.
- Competence: Members shall maintain and improve the necessary skills and knowledge in their areas of professional practice. They shall further accept the responsibility to work as mentors for students in their areas of professional practice.
- Consent for Patient Care: Wherever possible Members shall be committed to ensuring that they receive informed consent from their clients prior to instigating and providing treatment at the highest standard of contemporary care.
- Confidentiality: Members must maintain confidentiality of any information they obtain in the course of their work. They must not disclose any such information to a third party unless there is a legal or professional duty to do so.
- Research: Members shall promote, support, and where possible participate in research of pre-hospital care practices and ambulance service management and technical service support systems.
- Ethical Review: Members shall participate in the ethical review of their actions resulting from the provision of pre-hospital care and conduct in their professional role, whether that role is of a clinical, managerial, educational, or technical support system nature.
