Clayton Center Code of Ethics and Conduct
Revised Date 7-1-2003

Clayton Center is committed to delivering high quality services that are compliant with the regulations and laws applicable to public corporations providing behavioral health care.  To support our commitment, we have developed this code.  It provides staff with guidance on their individual and organizational responsibilities.

The Code of Ethics and Conduct is not intended to be an exhaustive list of behavioral expectations.  In areas the code does not cover, staff have a duty to determine how they should behave by consulting the regulations, speaking to a supervisor or manager, or contacting the agency Corporate Compliance Officer (CCO).

As a Clayton Center Employee, Intern, Student, or Volunteer….

1.      I am expected to observe high ethical and legal standards.  These obligations apply to my relationships with consumers, affiliated physicians, third-party payers, subcontractors, independent contractors, vendors, consultants, and other staff.

2.      I must perform my duties in accordance with the basic terms and conditions of employment.  These conditions consist of guidelines, regulations, policies, and procedures that may apply to all staff in similar jobs.  Examples include but are not limited to appropriate dress, punctuality in reporting to work, attendance, and disclosure of secondary employment.

3.      I will treat colleagues with fairness, dignity, and respect and do my best to foster a team environment in which all ideas are considered. I realize Clayton Center will not tolerate threatening or abusive language, arguing, or physical violence.

4.      If my job responsibilities include personnel actions such as hiring, staff reductions, transfers, terminations, evaluations, recruiting, compensation, corrective action, discipline, and promotions, I will comply with all laws, regulations, and policies related to non-discrimination.  Likewise I will not discriminate against an individual with a disability with respect to any offer, or term, or condition of employment.  I will make reasonable accommodations to the known physical and mental limitations of otherwise qualified individuals with disabilities.

5.      I accept that each staff member has the right to work in an environment free of harassment.  I will not harass or tolerate harassment of anyone based on diverse characteristics or cultural backgrounds.  Degrading or humiliating jokes, slurs, intimidation, or other harassing conduct is not acceptable.  Any form of sexual harassment is strictly prohibited.  This prohibition includes unwelcome sexual advances or requests for sexual favors in conjunction with employment decisions.  Harassment also covers incidents of workplace violence.  Examples of workplace violence are robbery and other commercial crimes, stalking, violence directed at the employer, terrorism, and hate crimes committed by current or former staff. 

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6.      I will deliver quality health care to all Clayton Center consumers.  This means that I will provide care that is both necessary and appropriate.  I will make no distinction in the care that I offer based on race, gender, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, payer source, or ability to pay.

7.      I will ensure that consumers and their families are accorded appropriate confidentiality, privacy, security, protective services and the opportunity for complaint resolution.      

8.      I will treat consumers in a manner that preserves their dignity, independence, self-esteem, civil rights, and involvement in their own care.  I will not harass or tolerate harassment of any consumer based on diverse characteristics or cultural background.  Degrading or humiliating jokes, slurs, intimidation, or other harassing conduct directed at consumers is not acceptable.  Verbal, physical, or sexual abuse of a consumer will not be tolerated.

9.      I will take great care to assure that all billings to government and to private insurance payers reflect truth and accuracy of services provided and that the services are documented promptly.

10.  I will not pay for referrals to Clayton Center services.  I will accept referrals and admissions based solely on the consumer’s clinical needs and the agency’s ability to render the needed services.  Clayton Center does not pay anyone – staff members, physicians, or other persons – for referral of consumers.

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11.  Neither will I accept payments for referrals made by Clayton Center staff.  No staff member or any other person acting on behalf of the agency is permitted to solicit or receive anything of value, directly or indirectly, in exchange for the referral of consumers.

12.  I will be knowledgeable about and will comply with the federal, state, and local laws and regulations that govern Clayton Center.  These laws and regulations may include subjects such as permits, accreditation, access to treatment, consent to treatment, medical record keeping, access to medical records and confidentiality, consumer rights, and Medicaid/Medicare regulations.    

13.  I will cooperate with and be courteous to all government inspectors, auditors, funders, and accreditation surveyors.  I will promptly provide them with the information to which they are entitled during a visit.  At no time will I attempt to mislead them either directly or indirectly.  Nor will I attempt to cause any other person to obstruct, mislead, or delay the communication of information or records.

14.  I will not alter or falsify information on any record or document.

15.  If I am licensed or certified clinician, I will uphold the clinical practice guidelines promulgated for my specific license or certification.  Moreover I will maintain the current status of my license or credentials and comply at all times with federal and state requirements for my discipline. 

16.  I recognize that telephones, electronic mail, Internet access, and voice mail are the property of Clayton Center and should be primarily used for business purposes.  Highly limited reasonable personal use of the agency’s communication systems is permitted; however, I assume that these communications are not private.  Clayton Center reserves the right to periodically access, monitor, and disclose the contents of e-mail, web sites visited, and voice mail messages.

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17.  I will not use Clayton Center equipment or communication channels to access, post, store, transmit, download, or distribute:

·         Threatening information

·         Knowingly, recklessly, maliciously false or obscene materials including anything constituting or encouraging a criminal offense, giving rise to civil liability, or otherwise violating any laws

·         Chain letters

·         Personal broadcast messages

·         Copyrighted documents that are not authorized for reproduction

·         Job search information or sites

18.  It is the responsibility of each staff member to preserve agency assets including time, materials, supplies, equipment, and information.  I will maintain Clayton Center assets for business related purposes.  I will not negligently use or destroy these assets.  As a general rule, the personal use of any agency benefit without the prior approval of a supervisor is prohibited.  The occasional use of items, such as copying machines or telephones, where the cost to Clayton Center is insignificant, is permissible.  A supervisor must pre-approve any community or charitable use of agency resources.  Any use of agency resources for personal financial gain is prohibited.   

19.  I will not lend or borrow money, gamble, or conduct outside business on work time or agency property.  I will also not gamble, buy, sell, trade, borrow or lend goods or money with consumers or their family members.

20.  As a part of Clayton Center’s commitment to a safe workplace, I will not bring firearms, knives, other weapons, explosive devises, or other dangerous materials on agency property.

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21.  I will not accept gifts or favors from consumers or their family members.  Furthermore, I will not use my relationship with current or former consumers to take unfair advantage of them or their family members, or their friends.

22.  I will refrain from conducting business as a behavioral heath care provider in Clayton County for one year after termination of employment at Clayton Center.  If I choose to conduct business outside Clayton County, I will not actively recruit Clayton Center consumers.

23.  I will avoid conflicts of interest.  A conflict of interest may occur if outside activities or personal interests influence or appear to influence my ability to make objective decisions in the course of performing my job.  If I have any questions about whether an outside activity might constitute a conflict of interest, I will obtain the approval of my supervisor before pursuing the activity.

24.  If I routinely have access to prescription drugs, controlled substances, and other medical supplies as part of my job duties, I will handle these items according to legal guidelines to minimize risks for Clayton Center and its consumers.

25.  I will protect consumers, other staff, and myself by understanding the health and safety rules that apply to my particular program.  Furthermore, I will immediately report any serious workplace injury or any situation presenting a danger of injury.

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26.  I will report to work free from the influence of alcohol and illegal drugs.  I realize that reporting to work under the influence of alcohol or any illegal drug, having an illegal drug in my system, or using, possessing, or selling alcohol or illegal drugs while on Clayton Center work time,  vehicles, or premises may result in my immediate termination of employment.  Clayton Center will use drug testing as a means of enforcing this policy and, as part of the monitoring efforts, I will be subject to random alcohol and drug testing.

27.  It is not unusual to obtain information about other organizations, including Clayton Center competitors, through legal and ethical means such as public documents and presentations.  However, I will not obtain proprietary or confidential information about a competitor through illegal means.  Likewise, I will not use confidential Clayton Center information to gain advantage for myself or my family, friends, or acquaintances.

28.  When engaged in marketing and advertising activities to educate the public, increase awareness of our services, or recruit staff, I will present truthful and non-deceptive information.  If consumers are included in these activities, I will protect their right to privacy and prevent their exploitation.

29.  I am aware that violations of the Code of Ethics and Conduct may lead to disciplinary action.  The precise discipline used will depend on the nature, severity, and/or frequency of the violation and may result in any of the following:

Verbal warning         Written warning         Written reprimand     Salary reduction

Demotion                  Suspension               Termination                Restitution

I understand that I must immediately report violations or suspected violations of any applicable laws, policies, or regulations.  The report can be made to a supervisor or member of management, the Corporate Compliance Officer, or by calling the Clayton Center Comment Line at 770-478-2280 extension 148.

Clayton Center will make every effort to maintain, within the limits of the law, the confidentiality of the identity of any individual who reports possible misconduct.  There will be no retribution or disciplinary action for anyone who reports a possible violation in good faith.  Anyone who deliberately makes a false accusation with the purpose of harming or retaliating against another person will be subject to discipline.