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Current as of January 01, 2024 | Updated by Findlaw Staff
(a) The following conduct and the conduct set forth in 3 V.S.A. § 129a by a person licensed under this chapter constitutes unprofessional conduct. When that conduct is by an applicant or a person who later becomes an applicant, it may constitute grounds for denial or discipline of a license:
(1) failing to use a correct title in professional activity;
(2) conduct that evidences unfitness to practice licensed master's or licensed independent clinical social work;
(3) engaging in any sexual conduct with a client, or with the immediate family member of a client, with whom the licensee has had a professional relationship within the previous two years;
(4) harassing, intimidating, or abusing a client or patient;
(5) practicing outside or beyond a licensee's education, training, experience, or competence;
(6) having a conflict of interest that interferes with the exercise of the licensee's professional responsibilities, discretion, and impartial judgment;
(7) failing to inform a client when a real or potential conflict of interest arises and failing to take reasonable steps to resolve the issue in a manner that makes the client's interest primary and protects the client's interest to the greatest extent possible;
(8) taking unfair advantage of any professional relationship or exploiting others to further the licensee's personal, religious, political, or business interests;
(9) engaging in dual or multiple relationships with a client or former client in which there is a risk of exploitation or potential harm to the client;
(10) failing to take steps to protect a client and to set clear, appropriate, and culturally sensitive boundaries, in instances where dual or multiple relationships are unavoidable;
(11) failing to clarify with all parties which individuals will be considered clients and the nature of the licensee's professional obligations to the various individuals who are receiving services, when a licensee provides services to two or more people who have a spousal, familial, or other relationship with each other;
(12) failing to clarify the licensee's role with the parties involved and to take appropriate action to minimize any conflicts of interest, when the clinical social worker anticipates a conflict of interest among the individuals receiving services or anticipates having to perform in conflicting roles such as testifying in a child custody dispute or divorce proceedings involving clients; or
(13) using conversion therapy as defined in 18 V.S.A. § 8351 on a client younger than 18 years of age.
(b) After hearing, and upon a finding of unprofessional conduct, an administrative hearing officer may take disciplinary action against a licensee or applicant.
Cite this article: FindLaw.com - Vermont Statutes Title 26. Professions and Occupations, § 3210. Unprofessional conduct - last updated January 01, 2024 | https://codes.findlaw.com/vt/title-26-professions-and-occupations/vt-st-tit-26-sect-3210/
FindLaw Codes may not reflect the most recent version of the law in your jurisdiction. Please verify the status of the code you are researching with the state legislature before relying on it for your legal needs.
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