- Members shall treat all persons with dignity and respect.
Members shall serve all persons without discrimination regardless of religion, faith group, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender, age, or disability.
Members shall demonstrate respect for the opinions, beliefs and professional endeavors of other members, their colleagues and those with whom they have contact in their professional role as chaplain.
Members shall affirm the religious and spiritual freedom of all persons and refrain from imposing doctrinal positions or spiritual practices on persons whom they encounter in their professional role as chaplain.
Members shall not condone or support unlawful discrimination against colleagues or others with whom they have contact in their professional role as chaplain.
Members shall be accountable for maintaining the integrity of the pastoral relationship.
They will not use their professional position with, or knowledge of, another for personal gain. They shall refrain from emotional, financial, sexual or any other form of exploitation.
Members shall not engage in any unlawful conduct.
Members shall respect the privacy of all persons.
Members shall follow state laws and the policies of their employing institution regarding employee or citizen confidentiality of sharing private information about those whom they serve only according to those policies, the member's religious requirements.
Members shall refrain from relating experiences that expose the vulnerabilities of those served or their families to derision or ridicule.
Members shall seek to guard the identities of those served in any consultations, presentations or publications unless the person served, or their family if the person cannot give consent, has given the member written permission for disclosure of the relationship.
Members shall respect the private communications of colleagues unless to do so would violate the safety and well-being of another or be in conflict with the laws or policies of the state, an institution or the NWSCA.
Members shall conduct themselves with integrity in all their professional relationships including those whom they serve, their colleagues and the NWSCA.
Members shall accurately represent their professional qualifications and affiliations.
Members shall maintain accurately and currently any employee or patient records, financial accounts or other documents required in the course of their work.
Members shall respond with honesty and timeliness to any commission or representative of the NWSCA or their law enforcement agency who is duly authorized to make inquiry into their work.
Members shall provide the NWSCA immediate notice of any complaint of unethical conduct made against them in a civil, criminal, ecclesiastical, employment or another professional organization's forum.
Members will provide the NWSCA Board, or designee, in a timely fashion the information they request regarding the investigation, adjudication, dismissal or settlement of such complaint. Failure to report or provide accurate, full and truthful information constitutes a violation of this Code. A finding of unethical conduct in one of these forums may lead to discipline within NWSCA even if the event did not occur within the scope of the member's professional role as a chaplain or a situation over which NWSCA would have jurisdiction.
Members shall conform to the NWSCA's expectations of competency.
Members shall maintain a positive relationship with the faith communities in which they are ordained, or commissioned or endorsed.
Members shall pursue ongoing personal growth in spirituality, pastoral skills, and other areas which enhance their professional proficiency.
Members shall make referrals or obtain consultations when in the best interests of those served and maintain interdisciplinary and interprofessional relationships to foster these practices.
Members shall take responsible action when they become aware that they themselves or another member is impaired or otherwise unable to maintain the NWSCA's Code of Ethics or Standards of professional competency.
Members shall conform to the NWSCA's expectations of professional behavior.
Members shall endeavor to enrich the mission and presence of the religious communities with which they work and are affiliated.
Members shall seek to represent the best interests of those whom they serve giving voice to the vulnerable whenever possible.
Members shall not knowingly use or permit others to use the member's services to secure unfair personal or professional advantage.
Members are encouraged to maintain interprofessional relationships to foster partnerships and interdisciplinary cooperation.