Preamble
Career exploration is one of the most significant phenomena, yet it is necessitated by the need for knowledge and understanding of the environment. While carrying out a career exploration program at a gym popularly known as “Anytime Fitness,” certain issues were noted. Some of the issues observed violated the code of ethics that is required of a professional dietetic. The professional, who was working at the gym, is a white man that has been in the profession for about five years. While working at the gym, the dietician worked with a female African American.
Situation
The young woman probably in her 30’s was obese and had a medical condition recorded as type II diabetes. The woman was taken through the sessions as an individual and in some instances; the woman stepped out to smoke before joining the training sessions again. The fitness professional did not interject nor advise the woman of the need to stop smoking based on her medical condition. Consequently, the young woman carried burgers and other fatty foods. Another shocking observation was the fact that in the absence of the client, the personal trainer discussed some of the details with the workers and some of the people who visited the premises. The observation was done for about three weeks and throughout the sessions the same things were repeated. The trainer did not adhere to the professional conduct that is expected of a person carrying out the work he was doing. Moreover, the trainer was not qualified as expected because he had not completed all the professional courses that are needed to qualify a person to practice.
The situation violates some professional codes of ethics that are stipulated by the body in charge of professionals. One of the principles violated based on integrity. As a professional, one is required to make decisions that offer moral guidance to the course being pursued. In this case, the dietician failed to advise the female on the need to stop smoking, avoid fatty foods during the training sessions and strictly adhering to the program. The conduct of the dietician did not demonstrate integrity because he talked about the client in her absence. There was a breach of confidentiality because talking about a client to a third party is a violation of the code of ethics. The competence of the professional did not meet the expected threshold. Even though he carried out the training, the basic components were the only essentials considered.
Delineation of the Code of Ethics
The code delineates that a practitioner has to be honest, observe integrity and be fair to ensure that the violation is rectified. The key aspect that this code of ethics would address is integrity. The dietician has no integrity and does not conduct himself like the required by the organization. The code also intimates that high standards of professional practice should be observed appropriately. The practitioner did not undertake his duties professionally, and instead of providing directions on how the conduct should conduct herself, he remained mute. In a training session, it is expected that guidance be provided to the client so that they stick to the program. In the situation, the dietician did not warn the client about consumption of fatty foods during training and engaging in smoking during the sessions. The dietetics practitioner did not adhere to the code of conduct as appropriate.
