Professional Development and Responsibility
Domain 6: Professional Development and Responsibility
This domain tests scope of practice, risk management, privacy, documentation, and ethical conduct in a remote business.
Core rules
- Stay within scope: you may coach exercise and general healthy-eating habits, but not diagnose, prescribe diets for disease, or provide physical therapy. Refer to a physician, registered dietitian, or physical therapist when findings exceed your scope.
- Obtain informed consent and explain confidentiality, recording, and platform risks. Use secure, password-protected tools; get written permission before recording or posting a client.
- Maintain an emergency action plan for each remote client: their location, local emergency number, emergency contact, and nearest hospital. Document incidents and referrals objectively.
- Carry professional liability insurance, keep records, and complete continuing education. Market ethically - no guaranteed outcomes, no before/after images without consent.
Worked example
A client reports a blood pressure reading of 160/100 mmHg and asks whether to train. You do not "clear" them or design a hypertension program. You explain that this reading is outside your scope, ask them to contact their physician, document the conversation, and offer light activity only if the physician approves. Reasoning: scope and risk management; documentation protects both parties; referral is the responsible action.
Traps
Diagnosing pain or disease; giving meal plans for diabetes; posting client photos without written consent; using personal social media messaging for health data; ignoring an emergency plan because sessions are online; practicing without current CPR/AED or insurance.