Competency Category: Professional Practice
Professional Practice include 34 competencies across 9 series that enable effective practice. Foundational to Career Development Professionals (CDPs), these competencies are also indicative of related fields of practice.
Career Development Professionals (CDPs) provide services within their scope of practice to meet legal and professional obligations. In situations where clients present with complex physical, mental, and cognitive issues, CDPs refer clients to qualified professionals for treatment and care.
Career Development Professionals (CDPs) maintain professional boundaries with clients to protect the client from potential harm. CDPs have a relationship of trust with their clients, who may feel vulnerable under certain circumstances, such as when they are disclosing personal history and personal needs. This relationship may create a power imbalance, or a sense that the CDP has influence on the level of services or support the client will be offered.CDPs must use professional judgement to prevent boundary issues from arising and to establish and manage boundaries in a variety of circumstances, including the prevention and management of possible conflicts of interest. Managing boundaries relates to client’s personal dignity, privacy and self-agency.Professional boundaries extend beyond the client relationship, such as when CDPs assume supervisory responsibilities and have influence over workplace colleagues.
Career Development Professionals (CDPs) provide clients (or a legally authorized representative) comprehensive information that will allow them to make informed decisions on the services to be provided. Prior to engaging with any services, CDPs must provide a written statement of consent and review it with the client and answer all questions. Where needed, CDPs arrange for an interpreter or translation of documents to ensure the client understands the information being shared. When ready, clients sign the agreement.
Career Development Professionals (CDPs) obtain clients’ consent to gather, store and share personal information. CDPs maintain and secure confidentiality of information collected. CDPs adhere to relevant legislation regarding storage of personal information.
Career Development Professionals (CDPs) make accurate statements regarding their qualifications (professional training and credentials) and professional affiliations to protect the integrity of the practice.
Career Development Professionals (CDPs) comply with relevant legislation and regulations to prevent litigation, prevent reputational damage, and protect clients from potential harm.
Career Development Professionals (CDPs) adhere to a professional Code of Ethics. CDPs use ethical decision-making to determine the course of action required to address professional challenges or dilemmas.The Code of Ethics sets requirements on key areas of practice, such as informed consent, respecting client rights to privacy, relationships with clients, organizations, and other professionals.
Career Development Professionals (CDPs) establish and sustain a working alliance with clients to ensure ongoing identification, monitoring and achievement of client goals remains the focus of all interactions. Appropriate attitudes and communication skills are essential to building a relationship of respect and trust. CDPs work with the client to ensure that all professional behaviours and actions are focused on meeting the unique needs of the client.
Career Development Professionals (CDPs) build self-agency of clients to promote independence and resilience, increase motivation, and reduce anxiety. Building self-agency also helps increase clients’ sense of control, hope, and confidence in their ability to achieve career goals.
Career Development Professionals (CDPs) help clients address conflicts in their professional and personal lives. This prevents issues from escalating, prevents future conflict, and allows clients to focus on their career development.
Career Development Professionals (CDPs) recognize that client engagement is critical for successful outcomes. CDPs develop client confidence to engage with the career development intervention, addressing resistance constructively, and acknowledging concerns while seeking to increase engagement.
Career Development Professionals (CDPs) address abusive behavior when it arises to establish boundaries with clients, prevent escalation, and ensure others are not adversely impacted.