CODE OF ETHICS

• Members adhere to all applicable Codes of Ethical Standards as prescribed by their current professional status and/or affiliated associations, including state/government licensing boards.

• Members provide services, teach, conduct research, supervise and/or consult only in the context and boundaries of their educational achievements and earned credentials.

• Members undertake ongoing efforts to maintain knowledge and skill levels in their practice specialties, including the practice of legal nurse consulting.

• Members do not discriminate with regards to their services, based on sex, age, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, disabilities or socioeconomic status, or any other factors that are defined or prescribed by law.

• Members are responsible for maintaining knowledge and updates of laws, regulations and/or policies that are implicated in their practices and services.

• Members fully disclose their educational qualifications and professional credentials and certifications to their clients when asked and/or when appropriate. (When in independent practice a client means an attorney, a law firm, an organization, or other appropriately defined person or business/organization that seeks out the services of the legal nurse consultant).

• Members shall maintain client confidentiality as prescribed by current laws.

• Members shall treat colleagues and other professionals and para-professionals they are working with, with the same dignity and respect they afford clients.

• Members shall not work with clients or provide services in any research study without first obtaining appropriate informed consent from the subjects of any such research/study.

• Members take the appropriate steps to ensure their own competencies in their practices.

• Members fully disclose all fees for services to clients, prior to carrying out those services.

• Members function as supervisors to supervisees only to the level of competency defined by their training, education, credentialing and other applicable professional standards.

• Members seek out consultation and guidance when dealing with any ethical/legal concerns and/or dilemmas related to their practices and services.

• Members do not practice medical diagnosis, unless the member holds a legal and valid license for medical diagnosis.

• Members do not abandon or neglect clients in any way as may be prohibited by law, and they assist clients in proper referrals to other professionals when necessitated and/or indicated.

• Members must follow the conflict of interest requirements established by law or professional regulatory agencies.

• Members do not offer or accept kickbacks, rebates, bonuses or other remunerations for client referrals.

• Members hold a current, valid state license to practice as a registered nurse when performing services as a legal nurse consultant and comply with all rules and regulations of practice as set forth by their nurse licensing board.