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Standards of Practice
Adopted by the Membership on October 19, 2007
We
are entering a new era in health care where the public is
informed regarding choices in health care and the availability
of alternative and complementary health care modalities. There
is an increasing expectation for mainstream health care providers,
such as physicians, nurses, health administrators, and educators
to be knowledgeable regarding the existence, availability
and benefits of alternative and complementary healthcare modalities.
For
the clinical aromatherapy community to grow as a profession
and take its place with more-established complementary care
modalities, it has the obligation to identify and establish
standards of care and practice. Professional standards of
practice and reflect the current knowledge base and practice
in any given field and imply accountability. Standards are
dynamic, and subject to evaluation and subsequent change through
time
as practice norms evolve.
The
following Aromatherapy Standards of Practice are stated to
identify the scope of care and reflect professional norms
that are inherent in the practice of clinical aromatherapy.
This is in contrast to the use of essential oils by individuals
for home and family use or as a hobby.
Definitions:
Qualified
aromatherapist – one who has completed a recognized
training in aromatherapy at the minimum level of 200 educational
contact hours (such as approved by the National Association
of Holistic Aromatherapy or the Alliance of International
Aromatherapists) or has been recognized through a standardized
exam, such as provided by the Aromatherapy Registration Council
Interdisciplinary
cooperation – collaboration by a collective of health
care providers in response to a client’s health care
needs
Standard
I: Theory and Practice
The qualified aromatherapist understands and applies appropriate,
scientifically sound theory as a basis for essential oil use.
The art and science of Aromatherapy is characterized by the
application of relevant information that provides the basis
for a skilled use of essential oils and subsequent evaluation
of the outcomes.
The
Aromatherapy Registration Council (ARC) has categorized the
scope of aromatherapy education based on historical input
by leading schools in aromatherapy. For example, the knowledge
base includes, but not limited to:
[1] Basic Concepts of Aromatherapy - essential oils, sources,
history, client assessment;
[2] Scientific Principles - botany, extraction, chemistry,
anatomy and physiology
[3] Administration - therapeutics, safety, delivery methods,
contraindications, blending
[4] Professional Issues – documentation, quality control,
ethics
This
standard also applies to those engaged in fragrance blending
or product development as these activities are predicated
on the basic concepts relating to essential oils, chemistry,
and blending, for example.
Standard
II: Assessment
Assessment is a part of the scientific process beginning with
collecting information from the client or target population.
Standard
III: Planning and Identifying Goals (desired outcomes)
The qualified aromatherapist co-constructs an aromatherapy
intervention based on client’s needs.
Standard
IV: Application
The qualified aromatherapist uses standard applications of
essential oils in the manner most suitable for the client’s
identified outcomes. Providing client education is inherent
in this standard of care.
Standard
V: Evaluation
The qualified aromatherapist evaluates the client response
and maintains a system of documentation.
Standard
VI: Continuing Education
Continuing
educational opportunities are available to aromatherapists
through conferences, workshops, graduate courses, journals,
tele-conferences and research. The qualified aromatherapist
assumes responsibility for his/her continuing education and
professional development, and modifies one’s practice
to assimilate new knowledge gained from continuing education.
Standard
VII: Integrated Care through Interdisciplinary Cooperation
The qualified aromatherapist seeks opportunities to participate
with other health care providers to develop an integrated
plan of care, as possible. The aromatherapist communicates
the benefits of essential oil use to the public and health
care providers. The qualified aromatherapist is valued as
a health team contributor.
Standard VIII: Ethics
The qualified aromatherapist upholds professional standards
of care and supports an identified code of ethics which is
stated below.
As
a member of the Alliance of International Aromatherapists,
I shall:
1.
conduct myself in a professional and ethical manner in relation
to my clients, health professionals, and the general public.
2.
recognize that the public has the right to share in decisions
pertaining to their health care. I shall educate and guide
clients toward this goal and actively encourage them to take
responsibility for their care and well-being.
3.
represent my education and qualifications honestly in advertising
and practice and acknowledge the limitations of my skills,
as indicated.
4.
provide the highest quality of aromatherapy products available.
5.
provide services within the scope and the limits of my training
and to refer to appropriate qualified professionals as indicated.
6.
maintain professional confidentiality except when failure
to take action could constitute a danger to others.
7.
refrain from guaranteeing a specific wellness outcome, acknowledging
that aromatic extracts support self healing and that holistic
health outcomes are influenced by many factors.
8.
visibly display a copy of the AIA Code of Ethics for the benefit
of employees and the public.
9.
avoid discrimination against individuals on the basis of race,
creed, religion, gender, age and national origin.
10.
appreciate the importance of thoroughness in the performance
of duty, compassion with clients, and the significance of
the tasks I perform.
11.
respect the law and avoid dishonest, unethical, or illegal
practices.
12.
refuse primary responsibility for health care for any client.
Individuals who are licensed or otherwise authorized to provide
primary health care are excluded.
Standard IX: Research
The qualified aromatherapist contributes to the continuing
development of knowledge of clinical aromatherapy through
data collection, research activities and documentation of
findings.
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