Member Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct

The CAMRT Member Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct has been developed by members and endorsed by the Board of Directors to articulate the ethical behaviour and responsible conduct expected of all CAMRT members. Each member of the association has a personal responsibility to understand, adopt, and promote the values and behaviours described in this code.

The CAMRT Member Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct is one of a number of professional frameworks that pertains to Canadian Medical Radiation Technologist (MRT) practice. The CAMRT reminds MRTs that each member has the responsibility to always be aware of and comply with the laws, regulations, standards, and codes that govern MRT practice in his/her particular jurisdiction (provincial, territorial, or federal).

Poster-sized versions of the Code can be ordered from the CAMRT and personal versions can be printed from the full-colour, downloadable PDF

Patient-centered care

Patient-centered care is driven by the goal to meet the needs of patients and their family or caregivers in all aspects of their healthcare interactions. In their capacity as MRTs, CAMRT members will fulfill their role as patient-centered caregivers by:

Advocating and collaborating for optimal patient care

• Advocating for the most appropriate care for patients
• Collaborating and consulting with patients, appropriate decision-makers, and healthcare providers to facilitate optimal patient care

Involving patients in their own care

• Educating patients, families, and caregivers by providing information that can be understood and used to make informed decisions about their care
• Answering patient and family questions fully and honestly within the limits of MRT knowledge, authority, and responsibility. The MRT may be required to seek additional information or refer the patient to the most appropriate healthcare provider

Respecting patient dignity and rights

• Facilitating and supporting the free and informed choices of patients, families, or caregivers, including decisions to refuse or withdraw from treatment
• Ensuring the principles of informed consent are upheld throughout the patient’s interaction within the MRT environment
• Treating all individuals with respect and dignity, providing care regardless of race, national or ethnic origin, colour, gender, sexual orientation, religious or political affiliation, age, type of illness, mental or physical ability

Protecting confidentiality

• Making every effort to ensure the physical privacy of the patient
• Respecting the patient’s right to privacy of personal information
• Ensuring confidentiality of the patient’s health information and documentation

Maintaining competence

Competence in disciplines of practice is key to delivering quality, patient-centered care. CAMRT members will fulfill their responsibility for competent practice by:

• Performing only the procedures for which the MRT has acquired competence
• Engaging in lifelong learning to maintain a consistent level of competence in their disciplines of practice, including accredited training and/or Continuing Professional Development (CPD) where required

Evidence-based and reflective practice

MRTs continually improve their practice to ensure the best possible patient care by committing to the principles of evidence-based and reflective practice. CAMRT members will fulfill their responsibility for best practice by:

• Delivering care based on professional judgements that consider their clinical experience and the patient’s needs
• Remaining current on MRT trends, basing their practice choices on evidence, and applying this knowledge to the clinical and research environments as deemed appropriate
• Using guidelines (institutional, regional, provincial, federal) in combination with clinical experience to reflect and continually improve their practice
• Promoting a culture of research in the MRT field, which will improve the quality of evidence-based recommendations in the future

Providing a safe environment

The safety of all who come into contact with medical radiation technology is of paramount importance. CAMRT members will fulfill their responsibility for safety by:

• Maintaining current knowledge of safety standards pertaining to the MRT’s practice and conducting all procedures and examinations in keeping with these standards
• Ensuring a safe environment and taking steps to minimize the exposure to potential risks (e.g., radiation exposure, strong magnetic fields, risk of infection)
• Intervening in circumstances of abuse or unsafe, incompetent, or unethical practice

Acting with professional integrity

Professional integrity is key to maintaining trust in the MRT profession. CAMRT members demonstrate professional integrity by:

• Aspiring to a high level of professional efficacy at all times
• Treating all persons with dignity and respect
• Maintaining and enhancing personal well-being and never performing responsibilities when under the influence of substances or affected by any condition that could impede the quality or safety of care
• Complying with provincial, territorial, or federal laws and regulations
• Being accountable for professional actions and decisions, including errors committed
• Providing professional services that are safe, legal, and in the best interest of patients
• Ensuring all oral and written statements are truthful, clear, and concise
• Ensuring all professional activities are appropriate and are not a conflict of interest
• Upholding the profession by conducting all professional activities in a manner that will maintain public trust and confidence
• Making use of appropriate professional, institutional, or regulatory mechanisms to intervene when witness to abuse or unsafe, incompetent, or unethical practice while supporting colleagues who appropriately notify relevant authorities

November 2015