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<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".05" citation="COMAR 14.09.07.05" title_num="14" subtitle_num="09" chapter_num="07" heading="Standards of Practice for Rehabilitation Counselors and Vocational Evaluators.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Scope. This regulation applies only to rehabilitation counselors and vocational evaluators.</text>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Standards.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Rehabilitation counselors and vocational evaluators shall use their professional skills to promote a disabled covered employee's active participation in plan development and the rehabilitation process within the disabled covered employee's physical and mental abilities.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Rehabilitation counselors and vocational evaluators shall function within the limits of their defined roles, training, and professional competencies.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Rehabilitation counselors and vocational evaluators may not engage in any activity which may compromise the health, safety, or welfare of the disabled covered employee, and shall avoid continuing a consulting or counseling relationship if it is reasonably expected that the relationship can be of no benefit to the client.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(4)">
      <text>Rehabilitation counselors and vocational evaluators shall demonstrate honesty and objectivity in:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>The administration, scoring, interpretation, and utilization of assessment instruments;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>The writing of reports; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Charges for professional services.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(5)">
      <text>Rehabilitation counselors and vocational evaluators may not engage in harassment or discrimination of disabled covered employees on the basis of age, race, creed, national origin, gender, disability, or religious affiliation.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(6)">
      <text>Rehabilitation counselors and vocational evaluators may not engage in any act or omission of a dishonest, deceitful, or fraudulent nature in the conduct of their professional activities.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(7)">
      <text>Rehabilitation counselors and vocational evaluators may not allow the pursuit of financial gain or other personal benefit to interfere with the exercise of sound professional judgment and skills.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(8)">
      <text>Rehabilitation counselors and vocational evaluators may not disparage the competency or ethics of other professionals or agencies in discussions with their clients.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(9)">
      <text>Rehabilitation counselors and vocational evaluators shall perform appropriate and objective vocational evaluations and vocational assessments promptly.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(10)">
      <text>Rehabilitation counselors and vocational evaluators shall work cooperatively in a multidisciplinary effort to provide services leading to suitable gainful employment for an injured worker.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Penalties. Violation of one or more of the standards in §B of this regulation may result in the Commission:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Suspending or revoking the practitioner's registration;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Placing the practitioner on probation; or</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Reprimanding the practitioner.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>