Chapter 03. Code of Ethics

Abandonment.

“Board” means the Board of Nursing.

“Client” means a patient, resident, or recipient of care.

“Electronic devices” means, but is not limited to, any of the following:

“Licensed certified midwife (LCM)” means an individual who has been issued a license by the Board to practice certified midwifery in accordance with COMAR 10.69.01.

Social Media.

Provide services with respect for human dignity and the uniqueness of a client unrestricted by consideration of social or economic status, religious affiliation, personal attributes, race, sexual orientation, gender identity, or the nature of health problems;

Safeguard a client's right to privacy by maintaining confidentiality of information;

Act to safeguard a client and the public if health care and safety are affected by the incompetent, unethical, or illegal practice of any person;

Promptly report a breach of confidentiality or privacy;

Assume responsibility and accountability for individual clinical judgments and actions;

Maintain competence in licensed certified midwifery;

Exercise informed judgment and use individual competence and qualifications as criteria in seeking consultation, accepting responsibilities, and when delegating; and

Inform the Board regarding unethical conduct by another licensed certified midwife.

Knowingly participate in or condone dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation;

Engage or participate in an action that violates or diminishes the civil or legal rights of a client;

Perform new techniques and procedures without adequate education and practice;

Assume duties and responsibilities in the practice of licensed certified midwifery without adequate preparation or without maintaining competency;

Practice clinically if unfit to perform procedures or make decisions because of physical or mental impairment, including, but not limited to, the effects of prescription drugs;

If engaged in research, coerce or pressure a subject to participate or continue to participate in the research; or

Abandon a client.

Verbal abuse, including use of racial or ethnic slurs, directed toward a coworker, employer, Board staff member, client, or client’s family member;

Physically abusing, threatening, or intimidating a coworker, employer, Board staff member, client, or client’s family member;

Deceiving, defrauding, or stealing from a coworker, employer, client, or client’s family member;

Diverting any medication or providing false or misleading information to an authorized prescriber or a pharmacist to obtain or attempt to obtain any medication;

Knowingly employ another person to practice, engage in, or attempt to practice, or engage in an occupation or profession licensed by the Board if the employee is not licensed to do so in accordance with Health Occupations Article, Title 8, Annotated Code of Maryland;

Performing acts beyond the authorized scope of the level of midwifery practice for which the individual is licensed;

Obtaining or copying any part of a client’s health record for purposes other than:

Using, possessing, supplying, administering, or attempting to use, possess, supply, or administer prescription drugs or controlled dangerous substances without valid clinical indication;

Reporting for employment under the influence of alcohol or a controlled dangerous substance or submitting a pre-employment sample that is positive for alcohol or a controlled dangerous substance without having provided evidence of valid prescriptions for all controlled dangerous substances in the sample;

Reporting for employment under the influence of an illicit drug or submitting a pre-employment sample that is positive for an illicit drug;

Using the power, influence, or knowledge, inherent in or obtained during the provider-client relationship, for the licensee’s personal gratification or benefit;

Engaging in unprofessional or immoral conduct;

Misrepresenting or concealing a material fact in obtaining a license, renewing a license, or reinstating a license; or

Committing an act of moral turpitude, dishonesty, or corruption when the act directly or indirectly affects the health, welfare, or safety of the citizens of this State, and, if the act constitutes a crime, conviction thereof in a criminal proceeding is not a condition precedent to disciplinary action.

Sexual behavior with a client in the context of a professional evaluation, treatment, procedure, or service to the client, regardless of the setting in which the professional service is rendered;

Sexual behavior with a client under the pretext of diagnostic or therapeutic intent or benefit;

Solicitation of a sexual relationship, whether consensual or nonconsensual, with a client;

Sexual advances toward, or the request of sexual favors from, a coworker, student, employer, client, or client’s family member;

Discussion of nontherapeutic sexual matters while treating a client;

Taking photographs of a client for a sexual purpose;

Sexual harassment of a coworker, student, employer, client, or client’s family member;

Sexual contact with an incompetent or unconscious client;

Intentionally exposing any of the licensee's sexual body parts; and

Intentionally exposing any of the client’s sexual body parts for a nontherapeutic purpose.

May not make use of electronic devices and social media to transmit or place any client information online; and

Shall adhere to the following principles for the use of electronic devices and social media: