APTA National - Ethics and Judicial Committee 2023

To view more details, please log in using your APTA ID and password.

If you do not have an APTA login, you can create one for free, regardless of membership status. Some opportunities in APTA Engage are open to non-members, while others require active membership. 




< return to list
Signup Deadline: 08-15-2022
Starts: 01-01-2023
Ends: 01-01-2023

Description:

APTA is seeking one member to serve a five-year term on the EJC. 

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:

  1. Interpret the Binding Ethical Documents.
  2. Propose revisions of Binding Ethical Documents.
  3. Make revisions, as necessary, to the documents that interpret the Binding Ethical Documents and disseminate these documents for the management of judicial affairs.
  4. 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.
  5. Publish opinions and other materials that address current and emerging ethical situations.
  6. Promote activities for the dissemination of information and educational materials related to Binding Ethical Documents and interpretive documents.
  7. Collaborate with and be a resource to component ethics committees or liaisons.

(2)  With respect to judicial matters the committee shall:

  1. Consult with the Board on development of Association policy adopted by the Board related to disciplinary action as a result of ethical complaints.
  2. Process reported violations of relevant provisions of Binding Ethical Documents in accordance with Association policy adopted by the Board.
  3. Make final decisions in disciplinary proceedings against a member, subject to appeal to the Board by the member.
  4. 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:

 

  • Actively promote activities for the dissemination of information on ethics, including building on the work already done to provide education on the Code of Ethics for the Physical Therapist (“Code”) and Standards of Ethical Conduct for the Physical Therapist Assistant (“Standards”).
  • 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.
  • Continue education on revisions to the Disciplinary Action Procedural Document.
  • 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.

 

All APTA appointed groups will conduct their work with the American Physical Therapy Association’s Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in mind and in the context of (1) APTA's Mission, Vision, Strategic Plan and House of Delegates and Board of Directors adopted positions and policies; and (2) the potential for their work to have implications related to physical therapist assistants, women, diversity, and risk management.

 

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.”

Qualifications:

Established

Volunteers Needed:

1 (0 open slots)

Experience Required:

4 to 6 years volunteer experience

Contact:

Dena Kilgore
APTA