AQTN's Official Website
Last updates:
- 2011-09-16 (Update to section 7. - Procedures)
- 2011-04-08
AQTN expects all its members to adhere to the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, privacy, respect and confidentiality. Failure to do so may well result in the therapist's membership termination.
THE AQTN MISSION
Our mission is to create an environment that will enable all member therapists to provide safe natural therapy using the techniques acquired through their education to help their clients achieve better health and ultimately a better quality of life.
THE PHILOSOPHY BEHIND THE PRACTICE
AQTN recognizes that the client-therapist relationship is based on trust. ATQN therapists therefore first agree to this oath that they must respect at all times.
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"As an active non-regulated paramedical practitioner in Quebec, my purpose is to serve the greater good of my client, including both physical & emotional health and well-being. By bringing together the best of my skills and expertise, I will create value that the client cannot create alone. I will refer the client to a specialist when such a referral would benefit the client. I will propose a course that enhances and provides remedy to my client for the long-term, without compromising their health or safety. I will take the time to explain the benefits and purpose of any therapeutic act whenever a client requests so or in situations where the client would derive a benefit from the discussion."
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PROFESSIONAL CODE OF ETHICS
To remain in good standing order, all AQTN therapists must abide by the following code of ethics at all times. Members can be reported by their clients, by other therapists, by insurance companies and even AQTN during any random anonymous telephone or in-person inquiry.
GENERAL CLAUSES
1.Violation of any of these rules may result in the termination of the member therapist if an investigation confirms the therapist has breached the code and the severity is deemed to warrant so.
2.Honesty, respect and transparency in all dealings with the public, other health practitioners, insurance companies, and AQTN.
3.Confidentiality and anonymity in the course of all AQTN members. practice are essential to the reputation of the therapist, AQTN and the profession in general in the eyes of the public or the media.
4.Discrimination is prohibited. Refusal to provide a treatment based on poor hygiene, verbal abuse or flagrant disrespect or other similar situations is, however, acceptable.
5.Members must be mindful of the consequences of their actions, and seek to promote the healthy and appropriate use of their therapeutic approaches.
6.AQTN members must seek to establish a relationship of trust with their clients, by embodying the AQTN philosophy.
7.AQTN members must respect the values and convictions of any client.s beliefs who explicitly informs them.
8.False representation of a therapist.s level of competence or education is prohibited.
9.AQTN members must have their interests subordinated to those of client, insofar of any specific promotion or treatment.
10.AQTN does not have a program for certificate purchasing and use. Members may use certificates as part of their promotional tools, however insurance receipts can only be provided after a treatment has been rendered.
11.Respect towards the client implies that the premises and all equipment be clean. The therapist themselves must allow follow common hygiene standards.
CODE OF ETHICS APPLIED TO THE CONTEXT OF A THERAPEUTIC TREATMENT
1.Non-sexual based massage only . this also applies to all other therapeutic approaches.
2.Romantic relationships between a client and his or her therapist are not permitted, as it constitutes a violation of article 7 of the procedural section of the code of ethics.
3.Self-discipline and professionalism are to be exhibited at all times. AQTN understands that most therapies take place between two people behind closed doors. AQTN expects that the philosophy of practice be reflected in the therapist.s dealings with their clients at all times.
4.For therapists with two designations, and consequently two lines of training and studies, the therapist cannot max out the insurance benefits of the client under one benefit and continue to provide the same therapy using the other designation . this is fraudulent misrepresentation.
PROCEDURAL
1.AQTN members are to address any serious complaints to AQTN either by phone, by fax, by mail or by email as soon as they are made aware of such a situation.
2.Never share personally identifiable information, which would be a breach of trust within the relationship client - therapist. It would be grounds for immediate licensing revocation if an AQTN member used twitter, facebook or a blog stating .I just gave a massage to (Hockey Player name), (Music songwriter), etc.
3.Any request for an interview from the media on the operations of AQTN must be redirected to AQTN. Members are free to promote their techniques and their practice so long as such dealings are aligned with the code of ethics and philosophy.
4.The client may, at any time and without notice, request a copy of their complete file from the AQTN therapist, when such a file exists. It must be delivered within reasonable time limits, such as a week. If the therapist wishes to charge a reasonable photocopying cost, it may be no more than 25 $.
5.If a conflict of interest arises in the client-therapist relationship, the therapist must explicitly ask and receive consent to continue any treatment.
6.Client information must be kept private and in a safe place, whether in a clinic or any other setting.
7.AQTN members cannot bill for services rendered to their immediate family members, which is defined to include grand parents, parents, siblings, children and partner, common-law or spouse. Exceptions may be made in certain cases using the appropriate authorisation form which is to be sent with the receipt to the insurer. The insurer has the right to refuse the exception request, according to the policy or operational guidelines in effect.
8.Before turning to small claims court or other legal proceeding, the AQTN therapist must have exhausted all other venues, including contacting the administrative staff at AQTN for possible mediation.
9.AQTN members must respond in a timely manner to all AQTN communications, whether written or electronic.
SCOPE, LIMITATIONS
1.Any AQTN member that is made aware of another AQTN member that is not fulfilling their duties or not respecting the code of ethics must report the incident in a timely manner, either by phone, by fax, by mail or by electronic mail.
2.An AQTN member presented with a patient with symptoms or a medical ailment that is outside the scope of the therapist, must make explicitly clear the limitations of their therapies on the person and their illness, and when applicable, refuse to render treatment and recommend the client seek medical attention with a physician or another health professional.
3.AQTN members must take into account the limitations of the reach of their respective applied therapies, and under no circumstance dispense services for which he or she is not duly qualified.
4.Massotherapists, naturotherapists, orthotherapists and reflexologists should not diagnose . nor should any therapist guarantee healing of any medical ailment.
5.The AQTN member therapist assumes all liability . including but not limited to: errors and omissions, professional liability, comprehensive general liability, property insurance, loss of profits and penal defense cost reimbursement. Liability insurance is optional for AQTN members. Access to complete protection of all the above named liabilities is available to them.
PRICING, FEES, AND CHARGING CLIENTS
1.The client named on the receipt is the one who received the treatment. The name of the therapist on the receipt is the one who rendered the service or treatment. The signature on the receipt is that of said therapist.
2.AQTN members must be charging reasonable amounts for their services. AQTN does not specify a specific amount for a visit or for an hour. However AQTN strongly endorses charging LESS than the reasonable and customary fees as established by the insurance company of their client, when such a situation exists.
3.AQTN mandates a maximum of 135 $ an hour or for a visit, as being unreasonably high. Any amount billed above this would require a special justification of the special circumstances.
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