2108 Title: When Ethics and Duty Collide: Ethical Obligation vs. Best Practice Date / Time: Thursday, June 10, 2010 at 02:30 PM - 04:00 PM Type: CONCURRENT Level: INTERMEDIATE Sponsor(s): HPSO Speaker(s): Ellen P. Fink-Samnick; Lynn S. Muller Case managers today are accountable to more than one master: employers, insurers, funding sources, providers, family members; and, of course, the individuals for whom they provide case management services. Even case managers, who are knowledgeable about legal requirements, Standards of Practice, and the Code of Professional Conduct for Case Managers, can find themselves in questionable gray areas and ethical quagmires. In this presentation, two Commissioners from the Commission for Case Manager Certification (CCMC)—one the Chair and one a Member of the CCMC Committee on Ethics and Professional Conduct—will present a thought-provoking, interactive discussion on ethics. Attendees will get an in-depth appreciation of the Code of Professional Conduct and how it applies to ethically challenging situations such as dual relationships, advocacy, objectivity in reporting, and obligations to other stakeholders.  Using real-world examples and case studies, the presenters will stress the importance of having a discernment process when situations are ambiguous or uncertain. Attendees will also learn more about advisory opinions that are available from the CCMC Committee on Ethics and Professional Conduct, as well as the ethics review and adjudication process.  This presentation will stress adherence to standards of practice, codes of professional and ethical conduct, and legal obligations; and will span a variety of health and human services disciplines. The inclusiveness of the discussion is enhanced by the presenters’ backgrounds: one in social work and one in nursing, both of whom are certified case managers. Objectives: Recognize (and gain a greater appreciation for) the value of the CCMC Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct; and identify ways to benefit from it as a guide for day-to-day practice. Recognize how the law impacts, and sometimes conflicts with, ethics. Apply newly-acquired knowledge to real life case scenarios.