Confidentiality is critical in the success of the counseling relationship. Our counselors are legally required to maintain the confidentiality of client information. Requirements for confidentiality are subject to state mandatory reporting issues. Information concerning your use of Work/Life Connections-EAP is not in any University, medical, or personnel record. Records are kept in the Work/Life Connections-EAP office and protected according to confidentiality protocols.
At your first visit, you will be given an intake form that includes the following:
STATEMENT OF UNDERSTANDING
The Vanderbilt Work/Life Connections-EAP (Employee Assistance Program, Faculty and Physician Wellness Program, and Nurse Wellness Program) offers assessment, referral, short-term counseling and follow-up. Services provided by Work/Life Connections-EAP are provided at no cost to the individual.
Referrals to VUMC or other health care providers may be recommended to help you resolve problems. Those services may be covered under your medical benefit plan offered by Vanderbilt. We will try to always refer to providers covered by your insurance. However, it is your responsibility to determine whether or not services are covered under your plan and to pay any charges not covered.
CONFIDENTIALITY
Your counselor will not share information with any persons outside of Work/Life Connections-EAP without your permission, except as required by law. Generally, legal rules do not require a release of such private information except where life or safety is seriously threatened. However, the following situations are the exceptions:
- If, in the professional opinion of the counselor, the client is actively homicidal or suicidal, Work/Life Connections-EAP has a duty to warn/intervene;
- If, in the professional opinion of the counselor, the client possibly poses a threat to the health and safety of patients, students, customers or co-workers, resulting from an emotional illness or substance use, Work/Life Connections-EAP has a duty to intervene/protect;
- In situations of child or domestic abuse, the law requires reportage to appropriate authorities;
- If there is suspected fraud or abuse, Work/Life Connections-EAP, in accordance with The Legal Compliance and Integrity Plan, is required to report to the Corporate Compliance Department;
- The individual signs a release of information;
In addition, information concerning your use of Work/Life Connections-EAP services will not be made part of your personnel record. Audits of the program may be conducted, but the auditors will not disclose information identifying your participation in the program.
Self-Referral: If an employee comes in for assistance, no one will be notified of the individual's use of Work/Life Connections-EAP unless the individual permits/requests it, except as noted above in 'CONFIDENTIALITY'.
Mandatory Referral: If an employee contacts Work/Life Connections-EAP as the result of a supervisory requirement, the supervisor will be notified that the employee has kept the initial appointment at Work/Life Connections- EAP and whether their participation is satisfactory or not satisfactory. Information from the supervisor will be requested to clarify the issues and expectations in order to best assist the faculty or staff member. Any further release of information would require a signed release of information except as noted above in 'CONFIDENTIALITY'.
