How should you respond if a fellow CA is using marijuana during their lunch break and shows signs of impairment?

Reporting the matter immediately to the supervising chiropractor is the appropriate response in this situation due to several important factors. First and foremost, safety is a primary concern in any healthcare setting, including chiropractic practices. If a fellow chiropractic assistant shows signs of impairment, it may affect their ability to perform their duties effectively, compromising patient safety and the quality of care provided.

Furthermore, healthcare facilities typically have policies and regulations regarding substance use, especially when it comes to maintaining a professional environment. By reporting the situation, the supervising chiropractor can take the necessary steps to address the issue, ensuring that proper protocols are followed and the wellbeing of both employees and patients is prioritized.

Ignoring the behavior could lead to potential risks within the workplace, including jeopardizing patient safety and creating an unsafe work environment. Directly confronting the colleague may lead to conflict and does not guarantee that the issue will be addressed appropriately. Making the situation known to other colleagues might cause unnecessary gossip or escalation of the problem without a constructive solution.

Therefore, the most responsible action is to report the issue to the supervising chiropractor, allowing trained management to handle the situation appropriately.