August September 2013 - VA Roseburg Healthcare System ...

9Volunteers Needed!The IntegratedEthics© Program is looking for volunteers to serve as “Ethics Champions” in our CommunityBased Outpatient Clinics. Ethics Champions will serve as points of contact for the IntegratedEthics©Program at the clinics and assist in promoting IntegratedEthics© events and learning for staff and patients.The exact role can be tailored to the volunteers’ needs and skills. Training will be provided. Please contactMike Gillespie at extension 44721 or via email at Michael.Gillespie@va.gov.IntegratedEthics© --Ask Ethel?The IntegratedEthics© Program office poses an ethics question each month.Questions and Answers will address boundaries and other Ethical issues inthe workplace. Answers will appear in the following month's issue. Employees,Veterans and volunteers are encouraged to submit ethics questions to IntegratedEthics©Program Officer, Mike Gillespie at extension 44721 or via email atMichael.Gillespie@va.gov. When calling by phone, please include your nameand phone number if you would like a personal response. Emails will be repliedto promptly. For purposes of this column, all responses to the program office areconfidential.August Ethics Question:Dear Ethel: I am a VA Roseburg employee who has direct contact with Veterans in my daily work. Whatshould I do if a patient offers me a gift? Is this an ethics issue? –Loyal EmployeeAnswer: Yes, this can be an ethics issue. It is generally best practice not to accept gifts.The primary source of information for employees on this subject is the Federal Employee Standards ofConduct (http://oge.gov/Laws-and-Regulations/Employee-Standards-of-Conduct/Employee-Standards-of-Conduct/), Subpart B which addresses employees receiving gifts from outside sources.This is also addressed in local station policy in MCM 2726, a Human Resources Service policy, and questionsabout this topic may be addressed to them as well. I would recommend that you talk with your supervisorabout the subject. Perhaps others in your work area have similar questions.The standards of conduct define the term “gift” as most anything with a market value. There are some exceptions.Please read the Standards of Conduct for more specific guidance about gifts.Putting on your “ethics thinking cap” (like me), you might consider the following:1. A gift should not grant the giver any special status or advantage over others. For example, the patientwho is giving the gift should not get better care.2. A gift should not create a conflict of interest.3. As a VA Employee you are already being compensated for your work with patients. Is it right for you toreceive more than others who may be doing the same or similar work?4. The VA already has a clearly “ethical” way for patients or others to give gifts. That is by making charitablecontributions to this facility through the Voluntary Service office. The giver can specify where the gift is tobe given and for what purpose it will be used. In addition, the donor may be able to accrue a tax benefit.This is probably the best course of action—to encourage the patient to give a donation through VoluntaryService. They can be reached at extension 44351.