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