VCOM Administrative and Classified Staff Handbook

Expectations for Professional and Ethical Behavior

VCOM’s Expectations for Professional and Ethical Behaviors and VCOM’s Standards of Conduct Guidelines govern the professional and personal conduct of employees in the workplace or in the public community, and acceptable standards for work performance of employees. VCOM is a college that trains professionals and so the highest standards of professional and ethical behaviors are expected of all employees working in this professional setting. The Standards of Conduct Guidelines follow that of the American Osteopathic Association, as well as those required through the accrediting body, and are designed to guide behaviors and to protect the well-being of all students and employees of VCOM. The Standards of Conduct Guidelines serve to: 1. Establish a fair and objective process for correcting or treating unacceptable conduct or work performance; 2. Distinguish between less serious and more serious actions of misconduct and provide corrective action accordingly; and 3. Define the professional and ethical conduct of an employee in the community or public setting that may discredit VCOM, its employees, or its students. Standards of Conduct Guidelines in this Handbook are intended to be illustrative but are not all-inclusive. Accordingly, an offense that, in the judgment of the supervisor, although not listed in the policy, undermines the effectiveness of the department’s activities, the institution as a whole, or the employee’s performance is subject to review and action, up to and including termination. VCOM Statement on Professional Ethics for Administrative and Classified Staff VCOM’s Statement on Professional Ethics that follows sets forth those general standards that serve as a reminder of the variety of responsibilities assumed by all members of the administrative and classified staff. In the enforcement of ethical standards, the academic profession differs from those of law and medicine, in that the academic profession, as an institution of higher learning, provides an assurance of professional standards to its students and the community and so handles questions concerning propriety of conduct of its staff members. 1. Administrative and classified staff, as members of an academic institution, recognize the special responsibilities placed upon them. To this end staff members devote their energies to developing and improving VCOM. They strive for improvement in the proficiency and effectiveness of the service and products they deliver. As an integral member of VCOM, staff members are expected to accept certain responsibilities, adhere to acceptable business and medical principles in matters of personal conduct, and always exhibit a high degree of personal integrity. This not only involves sincere respect for the rights and feelings of others but also demands that staff members refrain from any behavior that might be harmful to themselves, coworkers, VCOM, or that might be viewed unfavorable by current or potential students, others in the medical school community or by the public at large. 2. Administrative and classified staff may not use or attempt to use their positions at VCOM to gain anything of substantial value for the private benefit of themselves, their families, or organizations in which they have a significant financial interest, with the understanding that the reward will influence their conduct of college VCOM full and part-time administrative and classified staff are required to sign this statement at the time of hire.

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