Common Code of Ethics

 for

Chaplains, Pastoral Counselors, Pastoral Educators and Students

Hereinafter referred to as: Spiritual Care Professionals

This document describes what it means to Global Chaplains Alliance to be a professional pastoral care provider, pastoral counselor or educator

 as adapted from the following four documents:

●    Common Standards for Professional Chaplaincy

●    Common Standards for Pastoral Educators/Supervisors

●    Common Code of Ethics for Chaplains, Pastoral Counselors, Pastoral Educators and Students

●    Principles for Processing Ethical Complaints

The Code of Ethics for Spiritual Care Professionals:

●    gives expression to the basic values and standards of the profession;

●    guides decision making and professional behavior;

●    provides a mechanism for professional accountability;

●    and informs the public as to what they should expect from Spiritual Care Professionals.

Preamble

Spiritual Care Professionals are grounded in communities of faith and informed by professional education and training.

They are called to nurture their personal health of mind, body and spirit and be responsible for  their personal and professional conduct as they grow in their respect for all living beings and the natural environment.

When Spiritual Care Professionals behave in a manner congruent with the values of this code of  ethics, they bring greater justice, compassion and healing to our world.

Spiritual Care Professionals:

●    affirm the dignity and value of each individual;

●    respect the right of each faith group to hold to its values and traditions;

●    advocate for professional accountability that protects the public and advances the profession;

●    and respect the cultural, ethnic, gender, racial, sexual-orientation, and religious diversity  of other professionals and those served and strive to eliminate   

      discrimination.

1.0 Ethical Principles in Relationships with Clients

Spiritual Care Professionals understand clients to be any counselees, patients, family members,  students or staff to whom they provide spiritual care. In relationships with clients, Spiritual Care Professionals uphold the following standards of professional ethics. Spiritual Care  Professionals:

1.1  Speak and act in ways that honor the dignity and value of every individual.

1.2  Provide care that is intended to promote the best interest of the client and to foster  strength, integrity and healing.

1.3  Demonstrate respect for the cultural and religious values of those they serve and refrain from imposing their our own values and beliefs on those served.

1.4  Are mindful of the imbalance of power in the professional/client relationship and refrain from  exploitation of that imbalance.

1.5  Maintain relationships with clients on a professional basis only.

1.6   Avoid or correct any conflicts of interest or appearance of conflicting interest(s).

1.7   Refrain from any form of sexual misconduct, sexual harassment or sexual assault in relationships with clients.

1.8  Refrain from any form of harassment, coercion, intimidation or otherwise abusive words or actions in relationships with clients.

1.9  Safeguard the confidentiality of clients when using materials for educational purposes or written publication.

1.10  Respect the confidentiality of information entrusted to them by clients when communicating  with family members or significant others except when disclosure is required for necessary treatment, granted by client permission, for the safety of any person or when required by law.

1.11 Understand the limits of their individual expertise and make referrals to other professionals  when appropriate.

2.0 Ethical Principles in Relationships Between Supervisors/Educators and Students

Spiritual Care Professionals respect the integrity of students using the power they have as  supervisors/educators in responsible ways. Spiritual Care Professionals:

2.1 Maintain a healthy educational environment free of coercion or intimidation.

2.2 Maintain clear boundaries in the areas of self-disclosure, intimacy and sexuality.

2.3 Provide clear expectations regarding responsibilities, work schedules, fees and payments.

2.4 Provide adequate, timely and constructive feedback to students.

2.5 Maintain a healthy respect for the personal growth of students and provide appropriate professional referrals.

2.6 Maintain appropriate confidentiality regarding all information and knowledge gained in the course of supervision.

3.0 Ethical Principles in Relationships with Faith Community

Spiritual Care Professionals are accountable to their faith communities, one another and other  organizations. Spiritual Care Professionals:

3.1 Maintain good standing in their faith group.

3.2 Abide by the professional practice and/or teaching standards of the state/province, the community and the institution in which they are employed. If for any reason a Spiritual Care Professional is not free to practice or teach according to conscience, the Spiritual Care Professional shall notify the employer, his or her professional organization and faith group as appropriate.

3.3 Do not directly or by implication claim professional qualifications that exceed actual qualifications or misrepresent an affiliation with any institution.

4.0 Ethical Principles in Relationships with Other Professionals and the Community

Spiritual Care Professionals are accountable to the public, faith communities, employers and professionals in all professional relationships. Spiritual Care Professionals:

4.1 Promote justice in relationships with others, in their institutions and in society.

4.2 Represent accurately their professional qualifications and affiliations.

4.3 Exercise good stewardship of resources entrusted to their care and employ sound financial 

practices.

4.4 Respect the opinions, beliefs and professional endeavors of colleagues and other professionals.

4.5 Seek advice and counsel of other professionals whenever it is in the best interest of those being served and make referrals when appropriate.

4.6 Provide expertise and counsel to other health professionals in advocating for best practices in care.

4.7 Seek to establish collaborative relationships with other community and health professionals.

4.8 Advocate for changes in their institutions that would honor spiritual values and promote healing.

4.9 Provide other professionals with chart notes where they are used that further the treatment of the clients or patients, obtaining consent when required.

4.10 Communicate sufficient information to other care team members while respecting the privacy of clients.

4.11 Ensure that private conduct does not impair the ability to fulfill professional responsibilities or bring dishonor to the profession.

4.12 Clearly distinguish between statements made or actions taken as a private individual and those made as a member or representative of one of the cognate organizations.

5.0 Ethical Principles in Relationships with Colleagues

Spiritual Care Professionals engage in collegial relationships with peers, other chaplains, local clergy and counselors, recognizing that perspective and judgment are maintained through consultative interactions rather than through isolation. Spiritual Care Professionals:

5.1 Honor all consultations, whether personal or client–related, with the highest professional regard and confidentiality.

5.2 Maintain sensitivity and professional protocol of the employing institution and/or the certifying organization when receiving or initiating referrals.

5.3 Exercise due caution when communicating through the internet or other electronic means. 

5.4 Respect each other and support the integrity and well being of their colleagues.

5.5 Take collegial and responsible action when concerns about or direct knowledge of incompetence,  impairment, misconduct or violations against this code arise.

5.6 Communicate sufficient information to other care team members while respecting the privacy of clients.

6.0 Ethical Principles in Advertising

Spiritual Care Professionals engage in appropriate informational activities that educate the public about their professional qualifications and individual scopes of practice.

Spiritual Care Professionals:

6.1 Represent their competencies, education, training and experience relevant to their practice of  pastoral care, education and counseling in an accurate manner.

6.2 Do not use any professional identification (business cards, letterhead, Internet or telephone directory, etc.) if it is false, misleading, fraudulent or deceptive.

6.3 List and claim as evidence only degrees and certifications that are earned from educational institutions and/or training programs recognized by the certifying organizations of Spiritual Care Professionals.

6.4 Ascertain that the qualifications of their employees, supervisees and students are represented in a manner that is not false, misleading, fraudulent or deceptive.

6.5.1 Represent themselves as providing specialized services only if they have the appropriate education, training or supervised experience.

7.0 Ethical Principles in Research

Spiritual Care Professionals engaging in research follow guidelines and applicable laws that strive to protect the dignity, privacy and well-being of all participants. Spiritual Care Professionals:

7.1 Engage only in research within the boundaries of their competence.

7.2 In research activities involving human participants, are aware of and ensure that the research  question, design and implementation are in full compliance with ethical principles.

7.3 Adhere to informed consent, including a clear and understandable explanation of the procedures, a description of the risks and benefits, and the duration of the desired participation.

7.4 Inform all participants of the right to withdraw consent and to discontinue involvement at any time.

7.5 Engage in research while being sensitive to the cultural characteristics of participants.

7.6 Maintain the confidentiality of all research participants and inform participants of any limits of that confidentiality.

7.7 Use any information obtained through research for professional purposes only.

7.8 Exercise conscientiousness in attributing sources in their research and writing thereby  avoiding plagiarism.

7.9 Report research data and findings accurately.