Code of Ethics
Aspirational codes
These are statements of ideals or broadly worded principles toward which a practitioner should strive. As a model, you might think of the Hippocratic Oath.
COE
the overarching "Guiding light" for the Profession
Ethics
guidelines for behavior. This may not involve formal enforcement.
5 Main Categories of Principles
- Fundamental Principles - Responsibilities to the Public - Responsibilities to Clients - Responsibilities to the Profession - Responsibilities to Colleagues and other Professions
A Code of Ethics:
- Is a set of rules for practitioner behavior. - Is a statement of behavioral norms for a profession or a community of shared values. - Can help practitioners work through an ethical practice dilemma or issue.*** - Can help build a public trust in the activities of a profession.
If the COE has been violated (please review):
Complaint is made Preliminary Review of the Complaint Response Ethics Committee Review Licensure Board Action or Final Judicial or Administrative Action Hearings Request by Complainant for Review of Respondent's Response Disciplinary Action (6 levels) Appeals Notification of Adverse Action Record Keeping Confidentiality Procedures
The COE is NOT intended to:
Identify and reprimand all unqualified RDNs and DTRs Be a punitive force to take away credentials "police" practitioners
Regulatory codes
These codes include a detailed set of rules to govern professional conduct. They serve as a basis for settling grievances either between members and/or nonmembers. They are enforced by monitoring and applying sanctions. These types of codes require the largest commitment of resources (time, energy and people) to receive, process and enforce complaints. An example is the Police Officer's Code of Conduct.
Educational codes
These combine aspirational principles with guidelines to help individual professionals make informed choices in ethically ambiguous situations. As an example you might think of a student honor code.
Laws
codify societal norms. Enforcement is through the criminal justice system
The focus of the Code is:
education, remediation, and self regulation.