Code of Ethics
Preamble
It is in the best interests of the lactation consultant profession and of the public it serves that there be a Code of Ethics to provide guidance to lactation consultants in their professional practice and conduct. These ethical principles guide the profession and outline commitments and obligations of the Lactation Consultant to self, client, colleagues, society, and the profession. The purpose of the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE) is to assist in the protection of the health, safety and welfare of the public by establishing and enforcing qualifications of certification and for issuing voluntary credentials to individuals who have attained those qualifications. The IBLCE has adopted this Code to apply to all individuals who hold the credential of International Board Certified Lactation Consultant (IBCLC).
Principles of Ethical Practice
The International Board Certified Lactation Consultant shall act in a manner that safeguards the interests of individual clients, justifies public trust in her/his competence, and enhances the reputation of the profession. The International Board Certified Lactation Consultant is personally accountable for her/his practice and, in the exercise of professional accountability, must:
1. Provide professional services with objectivity and with respect for the unique needs and values of individuals.
2. Avoid discrimination against other individuals on the basis of race, creed, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, and national origin.
3. Fulfil professional commitments in good faith.
4. Conduct herself/himself with honesty, integrity and fairness.
5. Remain free of conflict of interest while fulfilling the objectives and maintaining the integrity of the Lactation Consultant profession.
6. Maintain confidentiality.
7. Base her/his practice on scientific principles, and on current research and information.
8. Take responsibility and accept accountability for personal competence in practice.
9. Recognise, and exercise professional judgment within, the limits of her/his qualifications. This principle includes seeking counsel and making referrals to appropriate providers.
10. Inform the public and colleagues of his/her services by using factual information. An International Board Certified Lactation Consultant shall not advertise in a false or misleading manner.
11. Provide sufficient information to enable clients to make informed decisions.
12. Provide information about appropriate products in a manner that is neither false nor misleading.
13. Permit use of her/his name for the purpose of certifying that Lactation Consultant services have been rendered only if she/he provided those services.
14. Present professional qualifications and credentials accurately, using “IBCLC” only when certification is current and authorised by the IBLCE, and complying with all requirements when seeking initial or continued certification from the IBLCE. The Lactation Consultant is also subject to disciplinary action for aiding another person in violating any IBLCE requirements or aiding another person in representing herself/himself as an IBCLC when she/he is not.
15. Report to an appropriate person or authority when it appears that the health or safety of colleagues is at risk, as such circumstances may compromise standards of practice and care.
16. Refuse any gift, favour or hospitality from patients or clients currently in her/his care which might be interpreted as seeking to exert influence to obtain preferential consideration.
17. Disclose any financial or other conflicts of interest in relevant organisations providing goods or services. Ensure that professional judgment is not influenced by any commercial considerations.
18. Present substantiated information and interpret controversial information without personal bias, recognising that legitimate differences of opinion exist.
19. Withdraw voluntarily from professional practice if she/he has engaged in any substance abuse that could affect her/his practice; has been adjudged by a court to be mentally incompetent; or has an emotional or mental disability that affects her/his practice in a manner that could harm the client.
20. Obtain maternal consent to photograph, audio-tape or videotape a mother and/or her infant(s) for educational or professional purposes.
21. Submit to disciplinary action under the following circumstances: if convicted of a crime under the laws of the Practitioner’s country which is a felony or a misdemeanour, an essential element of which is dishonesty, and which is related to the practice of lactation consulting; if disciplined by a national, state, province or local government or authority, and at least one of the grounds for the discipline is the same or substantially equivalent to these principles; if committed an act of misfeasance or malfeasance which is directly related to the practice of the profession as determined by a court of competent jurisdiction, a licensing board, or an agency of a governmental body; or if violated a Principle set forth in the Code of Ethics for International Board Certified Lactation Consultants which was in force at the time of the violation.
22. Accept the obligation to protect society and the profession by upholding the Code of Ethics for International Board Certified Lactation Consultants and by reporting alleged violations of the Code through the defined review process of the IBLCE.
23. Require and obtain consent to share clinical concerns and information with the Medical Practitioner or other primary Health Care Provider before initiating a consultation.
24. Adhere to those provisions of the International Code of Marketing of Breast-milk Substitutes, and subsequent WHA resolutions, which pertain to health workers.
25. Understand, recognise, respect, and acknowledge intellectual property rights, including but not limited to copyrights (which apply to written material, photographs, slides, illustrations, etc.), trademarks, service marks, and patents.
Implementation date: 1 December 2004
To lodge a complaint
IBCLCs shall act in a manner that justifies public trust in their competence, enhances the reputation of the profession, and safeguards the interests of individual clients. To protect the credential and to assure responsible practice by its certificants, the IBLCE depends on IBCLCs, members of the coordinating and supervising health professions, employers, and the public to report incidents that may require action by the IBLCE Discipline Committee. Only signed, written complaints will be considered. Anonymous correspondence will be discarded. The IBLCE will become involved only in matters that can be factually determined, and will provide the accused party with every opportunity to respond in a professional and legally defensible manner. If you require a complaint form Click Here. Complaints that appear to fit the scope of the Discipline Committee’s responsibilities should be sent to:
IBLCE, Chair of the Discipline Committee
7245 Arlington Boulevard, Suite 200
Falls Church VA 22042-3217 USA
If you would like a copy of the Code of Ethics you can contact the Asia Pacific IBLCE Office or download a copy by Clicking Here.
