Ethics are both personal and administrative. Your personal ethics may be one thing, while the ethics you must follow as per the guidelines set by the American Nursing Association or by the National Paralegal AssociationIt may conflict with your own morals. However, you have a duty to follow these ethical guidelines if you want to keep your job and avoid being sued for negligence or for violating confidentiality provisions.

While this article focuses on medical professionals and paralegals, many of these principles are also highly relevant in any situation where you are handling someone’s private information. Here are my top 11 ways to avoid violating professional ethics guidelines:

1. Study- If you are a nurse, study ANA Handbook. If you are a legal assistant, study Postal Codeethics manual. Also, study individual company policies that were provided to you once you were hired by a company that was provided to you in orientation. What you don’t know can get you killed!

2. Don’t gossip: Clients will come to you with all kinds of embarrassing stories about their lives. Medical conditions, legal issues, stories of infidelity, infertility, and other stomach-churning scenarios will be commonplace in any area of ​​customer relationships. You must handle these scenarios with care. If you don’t want it to be shared with the public, then it’s safe to assume that your customer doesn’t either. Practice empathy and put yourself in their shoes.

3. Beware of eavesdropping: When speaking with a customer on the phone or in person, make sure these conversations take place in a quiet, safe, and private area. If a third party accidentally overhears these conversations, it could have negative consequences.

Four. Secure documents: Any paperwork related to company secrets or customer information should not be left open for passersby to see. Such documents should also be shredded, not crumpled in a garbage container. Identity thieves and spies are everywhere. Don’t make their job easier by mishandling the documents.

5. Don’t manage actions without permission: Unless directed by a licensed physician or attorney, nurses and paralegals are NOT able to provide personalized diagnosis, legal advice, or administer treatment. Nurses and paralegals should also refrain from taking action when the client does not consent. Legal assistants and nurses are “foot soldiers.” We must operate primarily by direct command, and we rarely act independently, and even when we do, we are heavily monitored.

6. Avoid the media: Addressing the media regarding a client or company you are working for without authorization is a huge NO-NO. You risk defamation, disclosure of company trade secrets, and other legal consequences.

7. Don’t be an accomplice: If you see that your supervising doctor or attorney is doing something highly unethical or illegal, you have the right to speak up and make a report to the authorities. Do not become an accessory to an illegal activity.

8. Think twice before turning red: Becoming a whistleblower or acting on your own because it “feels good” could make you go down in history as a brave hero and save lives, yet it will not be without consequences. Acting outside of your assigned role, even if it saves a life, could cost you your job or expose you to a lawsuit for negligence or legal penalties. Before attempting to become the next Edward Snowden, remember that there will be consequences.

9. To be up to date: Ethics guidelines are subject to change. Most nurses and paralegals are required or encouraged to attend higher education courses or “refresher courses.” These could help you stay within the loop of current industry standards.

10. Commit your loyalty to your customer: Your job is to be an advocate for your client and an assistant to your superior. Accept this role fully! If you believe that an alternative remedy is necessary, please notify your physician or supervising attorney. Do this away from the client to protect your supervisor’s honor from undermining it. Also, do not conspire or speak to outside forces that may act against the interests of your client and / or employer. You get paid for such loyalty. Any action you take that could be construed as “unfair” to the client or their employer could result in termination or a lawsuit.

eleven. Swallow your pride: Paralegals and nurses should be very careful when choosing a concentrated field or area that aligns with their conscience. If you can’t understand defending a murderer or thief, you may want to steer clear of criminal law and try bankruptcy law instead. You can also request to be removed from certain cases or refuse to work with certain clients who make you feel uncomfortable. However, no matter how hard you try to manage your career, you will ultimately be forced to take actions that go against your own personal beliefs. It is the nature of any business and something that all employees must learn to accept. Do your best to minimize such circumstances, but also learn to justify such actions if absolutely necessary. Those who do not rationalize their jobs will fall victim to alcoholism and other unhealthy coping methods if they do not learn to cope naturally. Medical and legal professionals will greatly benefit from having a support system of friends and family.

The philosophy and administrative guidelines that govern the idea of ​​”ethics” can get very complicated. If you’re not sure if you’re violating your company’s ethical standards, it never hurts to ask!