Code of Ethics

Minnesota Certification Board

Code of Ethical Conduct for Peer Recovery Specialists

Principle: Personal Wellness and Recovery

My primary obligation and responsibility is my own wellness and recovery. I will seek appropriate resources and support to maintain my wellness and recovery. If my wellness or recovery is impacted in a way that negatively affects my ability to provide peer recovery services to others, I am expected to prioritize my own self-care before serving others.

Principle: Sharing My Lived Experience

I will share my lived experiences only when it is believed to be beneficial to the individuals that I serve.

Principle: Honoring Personal Recovery Pathways

I will value all individuals seeking recovery and will honor their right to self-select their own recovery pathway.

Principle: Confidentiality

I will respect the privacy of those I serve. I am responsible for being aware of and in compliance with all applicable State and Federal guidelines, regulations, statutes, and agency policies related to confidentiality.

I am a mandated reporter and will report abuse, neglect, or maltreatment in accordance with the law.

Principle: Non-Discrimination

I will provide recovery support services regardless of someone’s age, gender, race, ethnicity, national origin, sexual orientation, religion, marital status, political belief, language, socioeconomic status or mental or physical condition.

If differences that impact the motivation for recovery occur, I will seek consultation and, if necessary, make referral to another Certified Peer Recovery Specialist.

Principle: Conduct

I will act in accordance with the law, employer policies, and professional standards.

I will never use physical force, verbal or emotional abuse; intimidate, threaten, manipulate, harass, or make unwarranted promises of benefits.

I will fairly and accurately represent myself and my capabilities to the individuals that I serve and the community.

I will not accept money or items of significant value from individuals that I serve.

I will not lend to or borrow from the individuals that I serve.

I will not enter into dual relationships/boundary issues or commitments that conflict with the interests of individuals that I serve. This applies to both in person and electronic/social media interactions or relationships.

I understand that there may be times when a dual relationship is unavoidable. While dual relationships may make it difficult to maintain appropriate professional boundaries, it is my professional responsibility to assume the full burden for setting clear, appropriate, and culturally responsive boundaries.

I will not engage in romantic/sexual activities or intimate relations with individuals that I serve and/or families that I serve. This applies to both in person and electronic/social media interactions or relationships.

I will not engage in romantic/sexual activities or romantic/sexual contact with individuals I have formerly served and/or families I have formerly served at any point after terminating services. This applies to both in person and electronic/social media interactions or relationships.

I will not provide services to individuals and/or families with whom I have had a prior romantic/sexual or intimate relationship. This applies to both in person and electronic/social media interactions or relationships.

I will not engage in harassment of any kind with anyone, which is defined as a single act or multiple occurrences of verbal, nonverbal, or physical actions that are known to be unwelcome or that are of the  severity to be perceived as harassment by a reasonable person. Harassment includes, but is not limited to, sexual, electronic/social media, physical, personal, discriminatory, psychological, and bullying.

Principle: Integrity

I will not discontinue services to an individual without their knowledge and will make a referral for continued services when appropriate.

I will report violations of the Code of Ethics by other Certified Peer Recovery Specialists to the appropriate certifying entity.

I will cooperate with the Minnesota Certification Board regarding any investigation or inquiry in a timely and honest manner.

Principle: Conflict of Interest

I will not use my role as a CPRS to promote any treatment, procedure, product or service, which would prioritize my personal gain over the benefit of the individuals that I serve.

Principle: Scope of Practice

I will not perform services outside of my area of training, expertise, competence, or scope of practice.

Principle: Personal Development

I will improve my recovery service knowledge and skills through ongoing education, training and supervision.

Principle: Professional Standards

I will meet and comply with all terms, conditions, or limitations of my certification.

I will stay knowledgeable of all current statutes, rules, and other professional standards relevant to practice as a Certified Peer Recovery Specialist in the state of Minnesota.

I understand that if I hold a certification, license, or other credential to practice as a professional related or unrelated to peer recovery, I will alert the Minnesota Certification Board if my credential has been suspended, revoked, placed on probation, etc. or if any other type of discipline is imposed.

By signing this document, I acknowledge that I have read and understand the Certified Peer Recovery

Specialist Code of Ethical Conduct. I will, adhere to and honor this code in my professional and personal

dealings.

Signature: ______________________________________________

Printed Name: ___________________________________________

Date: _____________________