Working Wounded: Working Wounded: Working Wounded: Working Wounded: Avoiding and Coping with Avoiding and Coping with

Professional Impairment

Terrence D Walton MSW CSACTerrence D. Walton, MSW, CSACPretrial Services Agency for the District of Columbia

Qualifications

Effectiveness

Qualities

CompetenceCompetence

Qualities CharacterCreativity

Compassionp

When It

Compartmentalize Integrate

When ItDoesn’t

Compartmentalize Integrate

Work

An impaired professional is An impaired professional is one who has an illness or problem that prevents him

or her from adequately or her from adequately performing required p g qoccupational duties.

FamilyPrivate

Work

Not as good as I use to be Not as good as I use to be

Not as good as I could be Not as good as I could be

Not as good as I need to be

Impacted

Impaired

Incapacitated

Disorders

Dysfunction

Drama

Disorders • Depression• Drinking

Dysfunction

g

• DelinquencyDysfunction q y• Divorce

Drama • Disputes• Disarray

1. Excessive, un-realistic demands1. Excessive, un realistic demands2. Monotony3. Compassion fatigue3. Compassion fatigue4. Bullied or rejected5 Workplace conflict5. Workplace conflict6. Lack of mechanisms for

resolution or ventingg7. Triggering events (counter

transference))

Environment

ME

CompetenceCompetence

Worker CharacterCreativity Impaired

Compassionp

1 Increased incidence of 1. Increased incidence of professional errors and oversightsoversights

2. Shows a decreased concern for participant well beingparticipant well being

3. Increased participant complaints about the quality of service or about the quality of service or manner, style, and tone of communicationscommunications

4 I d b f k 4. Increased absence from work, social functions, or family outings

5. Frequently disappears for extended periods during the dayp g y

6. Deterioration of personal hygiene and/or appearancehygiene and/or appearance

7. Appears sleep deprived or di t t ddistracted

8 Appears under the 8. Appears under the influence at work

9. Emotionally labile10 Crying spells or 10.Crying spells or

uncharacteristic outburst

1 Deny1. Deny2 Deflect2. Deflect3. Deceive4. Detach5. Detonate

1. Decompress2 Deliberate2. Deliberate3. Depend4. Delegate

D it5. Deposit

Established positive working Established, positive working relationship:

Raise the issue Raise the issue Encourage them to get help

Discuss with supervisor Discuss with supervisor Honor your professional obligations Don’t gossip

WorshipWork WorshipWork

Relationships

Recreation Rest

p

Working Wounded: Working Wounded: Working Wounded: Working Wounded: Avoiding and Coping with Avoiding and Coping with

Professional Impairment

Terrence D Walton MSW CSACTerrence D. Walton, MSW, CSACPretrial Services Agency for the District of Columbia