Florida State Code of Ethica

Florida State Code of Ethics

Your Rights, Our Ethics & Reports

Patient’s Bill of Rights

• The patient has the right to considerate and respectful care.

• The patient has the right to obtain, from their therapist, complete, current information concerning their treatment in terms the patient can reasonably be expected to understand.

• The patient has the right to receive information to make an informed choice prior to the administering of any treatment.

• The patient has the right to refuse any treatment.

• The patient has the right to privacy concerning their own wellness/therapeutic treatment program, limited only by state statutes, rules or regulations.

• The patient has the right to be advised if the therapist intends to engage in any research or experimentation process while administering therapeutic treatments.

• The patient has the right to refuse to participate in research.

• The patient has the right to be treated fairly and humanely without consideration of race, gender, social or economic status.

FSMTA Code of Ethics

• Honestly represent their education and certification and maintain their professionalism through continuing education

• Formulate treatment plans that are beneficial to the client/patient’s health and well-being

• Describe their massage therapy treatment and their intended draping procedures to each client/patient

• Respect the client/patient’s right to continue, modify or discontinue massage therapy at any time and respect the client/patient’s choice

• Recognize the scope of massage therapy and refer to other healthcare professionals when appropriate for the client/patient’s health and well-being

• Provide quality care to those who seek professional massage therapy and maintain high standards of professional competence

• Maintain honest and accurate records

• Maintain a clean, professional environment and high standards of personal hygiene

• Never engage in any sexual conduct involving clients/patients

• Advertise accurately and with professional integrity

• Administer all treatments in a professional manner with respect for the client/patient confidentiality, boundaries, safety, and privacy.

Code of Conduct

• Adhere to the FSMTA Constitution, By-laws, Policies & Procedures, Patient’s Bill of Rights,and Code of Ethics

• Conduct themselves always in a professional and ethical manner

• Treat the client with respect and dignity

• Be professional and ethical in all verbal, nonverbal, and written communications

• Adhere to all Florida laws, rules and statues governing Massage Therapy

• Seek other professional advice when needed

• Remain in good standing with the FSMTA and the Florida Board of Massage Therapy

• When using the FSMTA logo on business cards, brochures, advertisements, stationary, websites, and other forms of communications with the public, do so only within FSMTA established guidelines and in a professional and ethical manner

• Immediately return the FSMTA certificate if it is revoked or suspended

• Obey all applicable local, state, and federal laws

• Refrain from any behavior that results in illegal, discriminatory, or unethical actions

• Accept responsibility for their own actions

• Report to the proper authorities any alleged violations of the law by other practitioners

• Maintain accurate and truthful records

• Report to the FSMTA any criminal convictions regarding him/herself

• Protect the client’s identity in all situations unless requested by the client in writing, medically necessary or required by law.

• Solicit information only that is relevant to the professional client/therapist relationshipStore and dispose of client files in a secure manner

• Practice with honesty, integrity and lawfulness

• Provide an environment that is safe and meets Florida legal requirements for health and safety

• Accurately and truthfully inform the public of services provided

• Represent all professional qualifications accurately and truthfully

• Advertise in a professional and ethical manner and in a way that follows all laws and rules set out by the FSMTA and the Florida Board of Massage Therapy

• Recognize the patient’s rights and limitations and only practice within those

• Do not exploit the relationship with the client for personal gain

• Do not engage in any sexual activity with the client

• Avoid dual relationships with the client that could impair judgment or harm the client, employees or co-workers.

• Respect the client’s freedom of choice in regards to the massage and the right to refuse treatment

• Do not practice under the influence of alcohol, drugs or any illegal substances (with the exception of prescribed dosage of prescription medication which does not significantly impair the therapist)

• Have the right to refuse therapy to a client who is abusive or under the influence of alcohol, drugs or any illegal substance

• Act in a professional and ethical manner at all FSMTA functions

• Do not deliberately misrepresent themselves, the facts, or the FSMTA in any way

• Respect the boundaries of all other therapists, clients, FSMTA members