APTA's Ethics and Judicial Committee is seeking one member to serve a five-year term.
Charge
The Bylaws of the American Physical Therapy Association (Article VII., Section I., C) provide that -“[t]he committee shall collaborate with and be a resource to members and member groups, and to the Board regarding ethical and judicial matters, and to the House regarding ethical matters.
(1) With respect to ethical matters the committee shall:
a. Interpret the Binding Ethical Documents.
b. Propose revisions of Binding Ethical Documents.
c. Make revisions, as necessary, to the documents that interpret the Binding Ethical Documents and disseminate these documents for the management of judicial affairs.
d. Review and comment on matters pertaining to ethics in existing and proposed Association policies and positions adopted by the House and Board and other initiatives or activities of the Association.
e. Publish opinions and other materials that address current and emerging ethical situations.
f. Promote activities for the dissemination of information and educational materials related to Binding Ethical Documents and interpretive documents.
g. Collaborate with and be a resource to component ethics committees or liaisons.
(2) With respect to judicial matters the committee shall:
a. Consult with the Board on development of Association policy adopted by the Board related to disciplinary action as a result of ethical complaints.
b. Process reported violations of relevant provisions of Binding Ethical Documents in accordance with Association policy adopted by the Board.
c. Make final decisions in disciplinary proceedings against a member, subject to appeal to the Board by the member.
d. Publish sanctions against members who are determined to have engaged in unethical conduct.
In addition to the directives as indicated in the APTA bylaws, the Board of Directors’ determined charge for the Ethics and Judicial Committee is to:
• Promote activities for the dissemination of information and educational materials related to integration of best practice of ethical behaviors within clinical practice.
• The committee should undertake to complete during this term publishing written material and/or making oral presentations on the topic of ethics.
• Coordinate and collaborate with other APTA appointed groups and stakeholders, when doing so can further the work of the committee.
• Submit a report to the Board of Directors on an annual basis.
Qualifications for Appointees
To complete the charge, candidates should have an interest in and the ability to prepare written materials and make oral presentations on the Code and Standards and/or on the topic of ethics. A helpful qualification, but not a requirement, is to have a basic understanding of the legal system and litigation.
In order to avoid any appearance of conflict of interest or impropriety, there are restrictions placed on EJC members. Specifically, EJC members may not serve concurrently on any other national association committee. In addition, an EJC member shall not serve concurrently as a chapter president or on a chapter committee charged with processing judicial complaints in that chapter, and no member of the APTA Board of Directors shall be appointed to serve as an EJC member.
Meetings
The EJC meets several times per year via conference call and in person at APTA headquarters as needed.
Size of Appointed Group
Five Physical Therapist members, which includes the Chair (see APTA bylaws, Article VII, Section I., C).
Terms of Appointees
Per APTA bylaws, Article VII., Section 1., C., “Members shall serve a term of five years. At least one member shall be appointed annually. No member shall be appointed to successive complete terms.”