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Everyone is different and has a unique starting point. Whether you're a healthcare professional looking to augment your skills, or a recent graduate looking for a fulfilling career path, we'd love to hear from you.
The WCA CHM course is concerned with developing the knowledge and aptitudes required of someone working in herbal medicine, the WCA therefore strives to create and maintain a healthy learning environment by requiring conduct that fosters high standards of behaviour.
This code of professional practice aims to:
Punctual and full attendance and participation in classes is encouraged due to the ethical aspect of the learning you are gaining that will need to be applied to patients. This is especially important given the practical nature of many of our classes. Some of the modules have continuous assessment. This means non-attendance could result in failure of the module. Where modules contain practical and clinical skills development, attendance and participation are very important as clinical skills take time and ongoing supervision to acquire and master and absence from class seriously impedes this development. Some of the clinical attendance is scheduled and is compulsory because it involves contract with patients. Failure to attend may automatically result in failure of the module(s).
When you attend a class you are expected to arrive on time and to participate fully for the whole session. If for any reason you are unable to keep to the time of the class or participate fully you should inform your module or course leader. Learning is made more interesting and effective by conscious participation, and individuals contribute to the learning and development of the whole group.
One of the key features of participatory learning is that we value the learning that comes from the experience of shared personal experience. This is an important consideration when making a decision to study with us. It is especially important to realise what this group work means in the practical classes.
Participation involves the demonstration and practice of specific techniques such as clinical examination for diagnosis, preparation and dispensing of herbs. It is essential that you strictly follow the herbal dispensary rules.
If for any reason you feel it would not be appropriate for you to participate in a particular practice on a particular day, it is important you notify the teacher at the beginning of the session. Some practices might not be appropriate if for example you are pregnant, have a cold, on a period of religious fasting or have an allergy to a specific supplement. For any personal herb use as a class activity you will be required to complete a safety form beforehand.
Being respectful of others means that you are willing to consider their beliefs and opinions. It means that you will treat them with civility, courtesy and dignity. It also means that you have a willingness to work out problems in a manner that does not devalue anyone. This respect should also be applied to others' healthcare beliefs. Being respectful is an attitude. This attitude is demonstrated through particular behaviours, for example listening attentively or taking time to consider another’s opinion before expressing your own. It also means learning to become aware of your automatic assumptions and prejudices. Showing respect towards others enhances their self-respect. Developing a respectful attitude requires practice and is an essential attribute of a health care practitioner.
Treating information about others (fellow students, staff and patients) as confidential is part of being respectful. It is now enshrined in the recent GDPR, 2018 legislation which is available online.
Confidentiality is also primary in creating and maintaining safety in the learning and clinical environments. It is one of the key attributes expected of a healthcare professional. You must observe confidentiality with regard to information concerning patients, fellow students and staff that are available to you through your participation in the clinic and in clinical skills development.
Clinical observation and practice in the clinic is a privilege created through the consent of patients. The role of students and staff is to take care of this privilege by maintaining respect and confidentiality. Without patients our course would not exist.
In relation to the clinic and clinical placements the duty of confidentiality also covers the medical opinion and views formed about a patient. Confidential information should not be disclosed to anyone outside the clinical teaching environment without the person’s express consent in writing, including to other health professionals or to relatives or friends of that person. Clinical notes made by you for your learning file and taken outside the clinic absolutely must not include any patient identifying information, names, addresses, etc. The official clinical notes, which can be accessed electronically for study, should also not have any such identifying information, and if it does must not be printed outside the clinic but reported to your clinic supervisor who will revise them. Any temporary documents or whiteboards, etc., used in the clinic which do have patient names, etc., on them must be shredded or cleaned off before leaving the clinic.
Part of being respectful and professional is refraining from imposing your view on others. Your personal appearance should be in keeping with these values. Furthermore, there may be health and safety considerations that work against some forms of dress. In general clothes should be clean, in good repair and maintain modesty. In clinical skills classes, clinic and laboratories hair and/or head scarves need to be tied back and some jewellery might need to be removed. Faces should not be obscured so that confidence and trust can be established and observational skills learned. Personal hygiene should be maintained and perfumes kept to a minimum. These rules are particularly important within the clinic.
Students on the course must not cause another person to believe or allow another person to continue to believe that you are qualified in the field, or able to give consultation or treatment without supervision. You must not prescribe herbal medicines without appropriate instruction, supervision and affirmation of competence as defined in the relevant documentation.
If you are already a practitioner in another field and already have a client-base you will be asked to list the therapy/medicines you are already qualified in and these will not form part of the restriction.
Clinical placements and Professional Bodies require a Criminal Records Investigation (CRI) and “fitness to practice” check. If you have any doubts about your suitability for the course and subsequent professional practice please contact the course leader as soon as possible.
Teachers who are in practice will be aware that a conflict of interest between the duties of teaching and assessment and the practitioner's duty of confidentiality and care may arise if they take students as private patients. You may find that teachers are unwilling to take you as a private patient if they are likely to be involved in your assessment at any time during your enrolment.
25 Aug 2024
Everyone is different and has a unique starting point. Whether you're a healthcare professional looking to augment your skills, or a recent graduate looking for a fulfilling career path, we'd love to hear from you.
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