Ethics Definitions

Consumer: Any person seeking or assigned the services of an IBADCC certified professional or person seeking certification, regardless of the certified professional or person seeking certification’s work setting.

Complainant: A person who files a formal complaint with the IBADCC against a certified professional or a person seeking certification under IBADCC jurisdiction.

Certified Professional: Any person who holds any credential issued by IBADCC.

Dual Relationship: Any relationship between the certified professional or person seeking certification and a client outside of the professional relationship. Examples include but are not limited to: social, financial, or business relationships with clients. Ethics Committee: IBADCC standing committee charged with the responsibility of investigating or sanctioning certified professionals or persons seeking certification who breach the Code of Ethics, as well as amending and reviewing all appropriate documentation, and charged with all other responsibilities deemed necessary.

Hearing Officer: The President of the Board or his designated board member appointee, a non-voting member of the Hearing Committee, will preside over the Appeal Hearing.

Immediate Family: A spouse, child, parents, parent-in-laws, siblings, grandchild, grandparents, and other household members of the Certified Professional or Person Seeking Certification.

Person Seeking Certification: Any individual who has an application for certification, at any level, on file with the IBADCC.

Respondent: A certified professional or person seeking certification who is the subject of a formal complaint alleging a breach of the Code of Ethics.

Sexual Misconduct: When a certified professional or person seeking certification engages, attempts to engage, or offers to engage a consumer in sexual behavior, or any behavior, whether verbal or physical, which is intended to be sexually arousing, including kissing; sexual intercourse, either genital or anal; cunnilingus; fellatio; or the touching by either the professional or person seeking certification or the consumer of the other’s breasts, genital areas, buttocks, or thighs, whether clothed or unclothed.

Supervisee: An individual that works under the direct supervision of a certified professional, and works in the capacity of delivering direct services to consumers of addiction services.

Definitions

Appeal Hearing

A formal hearing conduced when a respondent appeals the decision of the Ethics Committee.

Applicant

A person who has submitted an application for certification with the IBADCC but is not yet certified.

Certified Individual

A person who holds a professional credential administered by the IBADCC.

Complainant

A person who files a formal complaint with the IBADCC against an IBADCC certified individual or applicant.

Consent Order

A voluntary agreement worked out between the Respondent and the IBADCC that carries the same weight as a final decision by the Ethics Committee/ Board of Directors.

Ethical Complaint

A formal notice to the IBADCC alleging that a certified individual or applicant breeched the IBADCC Code of Ethics.

Hearing Committee

A committee made up of three members and the hearing officer to hear, consider, and make recommendations when a respondent appeals the decision of the Ethics Committee/Board of Directors.

Hearing Officer

The President of the Board or his designated board member appointee, a non-voting member of the Hearing Committee, will preside over the Appeal Hearing.

Probative Value

Evidence or facts which tend to prove the existence of other facts or issues.

Respondent

A certified individual or applicant who is the subject of an ethical complaint alleging a breach of the IBADCC Code of Ethics.

Revocation

A sanction resulting in the complete forfeiture of the IBADCC certification or application for certification. Sanction

A penalty intended to enforce compliance with the Code of Ethics. Sanctions may or may not include required payment of fines and/or completion of educational requirements.

Summary Suspension

An immediate suspension of a certified individual’s credentials(s) or application for certification when a preponderance of the evidence contained in the ethical complaint supports emergency action while the case is being investigated.

Suspension

A sanction resulting in the temporary forfeiture of IBADCC certification or application for certification for a specified period of time.

Written Reprimand

A sanction that is a formal, written document expressing disapproval and/or providing a warning in regard to the Respondent’s behavior.