4. Professional Behavior
Throughout this program manual and program, the term professional behavior is used to describe how students are expected to act, communicate, and engage in learning and clinical environments. Professionalism includes how you communicate, how you dress, how you manage boundaries, and how you engage with others. Because many students are new to healthcare and academic professional settings, the program provides the following guidance to make expectations clear and transparent.
In the Behavioral Health Paraprofessional Program, professional behavior is demonstrated when a student:
- Demonstrates reliability and accountability by attending required activities, arriving on time, meeting deadlines, and communicating proactively when challenges arise.
- Communicates respectfully and clearly with peers, faculty, supervisors, clients, and staff, using appropriate language, tone, and channels of communication.
- Maintains appropriate boundaries by respecting roles, confidentiality, and limits of responsibility in classroom, online, and clinical settings.
- Engages in learning with openness and reflection, including receiving feedback, asking questions, and demonstrating a willingness to grow.
- Demonstrates ethical awareness and judgment, including protecting privacy, following policies, and prioritizing safety.
- Regulates behavior and emotional responses in ways that support safe, respectful, and effective learning and practice environments.
Professional behavior does not require perfection. Students are expected to be learners. When professional expectations are not met, faculty will provide feedback and guidance to support improvement. Patterns of behavior that interfere with learning, safety, or the functioning of the program may require additional review or intervention in accordance with program, School, and Institute policies.
Professional behavior expectations apply across all learning environments, including classrooms, online activities, simulation experiences, fieldwork placements, email communications, and interactions on social media or public digital platforms.