1. The Continuum of Professional Behavior
Under-Involvement
ZONE OF HELPFULNESS
Over-Involvement
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2. The ZONE OF HELPFULNESS
This is the center of the Professional Continuum of Behavior. It is where most professional interactions should occur.
Zone of Helpfulness
Under-Involvement
Over-Involvement
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3. Examples of Over-Involvement
Boundary crossings
Personal disclosure
Favoritism
Possessiveness
Boundary violations
Professional sexual misconduct
Abuse
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4. The Slippery Slope
Typically violations are proceeded by boundary drifts (fantasy or thought).
Progress to crossing boundaries.
Progress to violations that could
interfere with the care plan
harm the participant
harm the professional
result in disciplinary or legal actions.
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5. All Are Visible Working in Open Space Conversations Arguments
Behaviors
All Are Visible
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6. Unexpected Catalysts Divorce Death Career change
Periods of stress, loss, trauma
Provocative participants
Need to be “liked” and gain approval
Need to solve everyone’s problems
Limited interests, home and family life
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7. Warning Signs Disclosing personal problems.
Sharing work concerns with participant.
Role reversal.
Dressing differently.
Noticing more physical touching than is appropriate or required.
Thinking about the participant frequently away from work.
Spending off time with a participant.
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8. Warning Signs Giving home/cell phone and address.
Giving/receiving gifts.
Continued contact/communication after discharge from your assignment.
Needs of the caregiver are being met over the needs of the participant.
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9. Protections
Accountability decreases professional violations—talk to your supervisor.
Develop satisfying pursuits outside of work.
Maintain personal relationships that meet your need for friendship, acceptance, and intimacy.
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10. Practice Self-Awareness
Be aware of your thoughts and feelings.
Observe your behavior and the behavior of other professionals.
Always act in the best interest of the participant.
Seek supervisory support.
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11. Ask Yourself. . . Can this be documented in the file?
Is my supervisor aware of it?
Am I willing to do this for all participants?
Would this be allowed in another setting?
How does this activity relate to the participant’s needs?
Whose needs are being fulfilled?
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12. Practice Sara hands you a box of cookies she bought from the bakery.
You give Janie a rose for her birthday.
Sam frequently goes out for coffee after his shift with one of the program participants.
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13. Practice
Sally is discussing her complicated, pending divorce to one of her co-workers in the common area.
You contract with a program participant to do some minor home repairs.
Hearing that Mr. S. was evicted from his apartment today, and has no family in town, you invite him to stay in your home until he finds other arrangements since you have plenty of empty rooms and would like the company.
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14. When Others Cross the Line
Act quickly to avoid harm.
Determine if the participant’s safety is in jeopardy.
Consult the appropriate supervisor.
Follow your company’s policies and procedures.
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15. Everybody talks about wanting to change things and help and fix, but ultimately all you can do is fix yourself. And that's a lot. Because if you can fix yourself, it has a ripple effect.
Rob Reiner

16. Reference
All information was based on: Identification and Implication of Professional Boundaries created by ESRD Network of New England “Another Educational Day and Time Out for Technicians” Doris Briggs, RN, BSN April 2009
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