VIOLATION OF THE CODE OF ETHICS

 Violation of the Code Of Ethics

The Code of Ethics is a binding mechanism for all practitioners and all applicants.  Any reported violations of the Code are dealt with by the Ethics Review Panel.

Signing and agreeing to uphold the code is a requirement for every CPRRP in the certification program.  This signature carries with it a presumption that the signer has read the code and understands its principles as well as the consequences of violating the code.  The signing of the code occurs at time of application and at re-application.

Code of ethics violation

Violation of the code of ethics by a CPRRP faces suspension or permanent revocation of the CPRRP credential.  The same applies to CPRRP candidates for examination.   The consequence of a revocation includes that you may or may not apply as a new candidate for CPRRP and the Certification Committee will give reasonable terms and conditions that will need to be adhered to as a CPRRP. 

Registering complaints

  • Complaints are to be submitted in writing to the Registrar about the conduct of a member and the complaint shall be dealt with through the following process.

  • Every complaint received shall be reviewed by the Registrar. It must identify the code of ethics principle(s) which has violated the place of the occurrence, the date and time of the occurrence, the people involved and any witnesses to the event.

  • The Registrar may attempt to resolve it informally if such an act is appropriate and/or direct the complainant to the correct venue should the matter in question not relate to the competency of the CPRRP.

  • The person who a complaint is made against is notified by email within three business days of receipt and a written response from them to the Registrar is requested within 30 days. Failure of the CPRRP to respond within this period is considered an act of unprofessional conduct and grounds for disciplinary action.

  • Either party of the complainant or the accused can request a face-to-face meeting and all expenses will be at the cost of the party requesting the in person meeting.

  • The Registrar will provide copies of the complaint and response to the members of the Ethics Review Panel. The panel then has 30 days to review the complaint and request additional information from either party. Prior to the expiry of the 30 days, the panel will meet and discuss their findings.

Decisions of the ethics review panel:

There are two outcomes of the complaint.

 1. The complaint is not valid and dismissed.

 2. The complaint is determined to be valid with one or more of the following consequence:

  • The accused is informed that there are conditions being placed on their certification and to cease unethical activity. S/he must enter into an agreement to accept and undertake completing a specified course of remedial study

  • If the review panel enters into an agreement with a member or accepts a member’s undertaking for conditions of continued certification, the following actions may be taken;

                        i.     Periodic audits of maintenance of certification record

                      ii.     Required reports to the Review panel or assigned member on specific issues

                    iii.     Other conditions as deemed appropriate by the Review Panel.

  • The accused is suspended from the CPRRP program for a specified amountof time (1 – 3 years) and may reapply for certification after the time of suspension.

  • The accused’s certification is permanently involuntarily revoked. The practitioner may choose to voluntarily surrender her/his certification within two business days of being notified of the revocation.

  • The suspension and revocation shall be publicized on the public website of the Registry.

  • Any other action that is not inconsistent with or contrary to the Practitioner Code of Ethics of PSR/RPS Canada

Process of Appeal

Decisions of the Ethics Review Panel may be appealed to the Appeal Review Panel of the Certification Committee (CC). The Appeal Review Panel shall consist of Certification Committee members appointed by the Chair of the CC and RRPs in good standing from the PSR membership.  The non-CC RRPs must outnumber the CC RRPs.

The revocation of the credential will be on hold until the appeal review panel’s final decision. 

Appealable Actions:

An action of “Not Approved” on either an initial application for the CPRRPor an application for Third-Year Renewal may be appealed where there is a finding of:

  • Suspension or revocation of the CPRRP by an Ethics Review Panel;

  • Failure to sign the Recovery Rehabilitation Practitioner Code of Ethics;

  • Inaccurate and/or misleading information on the application.

Non-Appealable Actions:

  • Failure to meet eligibility or renewal requirements, including payment of fees.

  • Failure to obtain a passing score on the requirements of the certification process

  • Failure to complete the certification within the allotted period of time.

The submission of a letter of appeal by the appellant begins the appeal process.  This must be done within 30 days of the not approved action.  The letter from the appellant should include relevant facts of the matter and the action taken, the resolution requested and any new information the appellant would like the Appeal Review Panel to consider.  The Appeal Review Panel will notify the appellant with 90 days of the appeal letter of their decision in writing.

After reviewing all relevant facts and details, the Appeal Review Panel may find that the decision:

  • Stands and was legitimate;

  • Was legitimate but terms of suspension and/or revocation will be adjusted; or

  • Was not legitimate and the requested alternative action be granted.

Hearing Not Required

The Ethics Review Panel is not required to hold a hearing or to give any person an opportunity to appear or to make formal submissions before making a decision related to discipline resulting from a submitted complaint.

Costs

The Ethics Review Panel may order the member to pay all or part of the costs incurred by the Panel in monitoring compliance with the conditions imposed on the practitioner’s registration.  It may also order the member to pay all or part of the costs of investigations into violations of the Code of Ethics.

Appeal Process

Candidates have the right to appeal any portion of the CPRRP designation process.  All appeals must be in writing and submitted to the Chair of the Certification Committee. Each candidate’s application to become a certified practitioner will be given individual consideration. 

The submission will be reviewed by three members of the Appeal Committee.

All members of the Appeal committee must sign a confidentiality agreement regarding the submission being considered.

The consideration of the submission will be based on a mandatory review process which will include:

  • An appeal committee of one Board member and two general members of PSR/RPS Canada.

  • A letter of statement stating their reasons for the appeal with direct reference to the relevant criteria

  • An investigation of all facts leading to the dismissal of the application by the Registrar.

  • A conversation by the Chair of the Appeals committee with the applicant regarding the outcome of the investigation and further data collection.

  • Notice of outcome to applicant within two weeks of the conversation with the Chair of the Appeals committee.