RETURN TO HOMEPAGE PUBLICATION Resize text: A A A Contents CODE I. General Responsibilities II. Responsibilities to the Physicians and Other Licensed Healthcare Prescribers III. Responsibilities to the Patient IV. Responsibilities to Colleagues and the Profession V. Application of the Code VI. Patient Care by Other Healthcare Professionals VII. Credential RULES I. Responsibility and Objectives of the Professional Ethics Committee II. Nature of Authority III. ABC Credential Holders Convicted or Charged with a Felony or Disciplined by Other Entities, Organizations or Agencies IV: Disciplinary Procedures — Initial Consideration V: Disciplinary Procedures — Initial Action VI. Disciplinary Procedures — Disposition of Complaint VII. Board Decisions VIII. Close of Case IX. Request for Reinstatement of Credential X. Governing Law/Venue Supplements ©2021 by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this document may be produced in any form without written permission of the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics, Inc. The Code of Professional Responsibility and Rules & Procedures January 2020 Download I. General Responsibilities C1.1 — Professional Conduct The practice of orthotics, prosthetics and pedorthics (Profession) is a recognized allied health profession. The ABC Credential Holder assumes specific responsibilities to physicians and other appropriately licensed healthcare prescribers, patients, the public, colleagues and to the Profession itself. These responsibilities must be discharged with honor and integrity to assure public confidence in the Profession. For the purposes of this Code of Professional Responsibility (Code), the term ABC Credential Holder shall mean any person, facility or organization which may apply or has applied for, and has been awarded any of the certifications, accreditations or recognitions offered by the American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics and Pedorthics, Inc. (ABC), including residents registered with the National Commission on Orthotic and Prosthetic Education (NCOPE). As used herein, Committee refers to the Professional Ethics Committee of the ABC. The Profession exists for the primary purpose of assisting patients in maintaining functional lives. The ABC Credential Holder shall be responsible for making the greatest possible effort to satisfy the patient’s orthotic, prosthetic and/or pedorthic requirements. The manner in which the patient is served is an essential factor relating to the appropriate ethical professional conduct. Members of the Profession are responsible for maintaining and promoting ethical practice including, without limitation, reporting unethical practices, in accordance with this Code. This Code, adopted by ABC, shall be binding upon all ABC Credentials Holders. C1.2 — Ethics, Custom and the Law Unethical conduct may involve violations of customs and usages of the Profession as well as actions that violate federal, state and/or local laws and/or regulations. Failure to conform to this Code, including conduct that violates moral principles, customs and practices of the Profession, laws or regulations, may be subject to disciplinary action in accordance with the Rules and Procedures Regarding the Code of Professional Responsibility (Rules). Disciplinary action depends on the particular circumstances involved and, without limitation, how the conduct in question reflects upon the dignity and integrity of the Profession. The Committee will take appropriate action, if any, consistent with the Rules. Each ABC Credential Holder has a civic and professional obligation to report to the appropriate governmental body any and all evidence that may come to his/her/its attention involving the alleged criminal conduct of any ABC Credential Holder relating to the practice of orthotics, prosthetics and/or pedorthics. C1.3 — Disclosure of Other Agency Actions Each ABC Credential Holder must promptly, fully and accurately disclose to ABC any and all investigations, findings and actions by any federal, state or local: (i) orthotic, prosthetic or pedorthic (OP&P) related agency or body responsible for licensing or oversight of health or OP&P related licenses or certifications; (ii) government agency; (iii) quasi-government agency; and/or (iv) licensing board (individually an Agency and collectively Agencies). The ABC Credential Holder’s disclosure requirement includes investigations by federal, state or private payers. The ABC Credential Holder’s disclosure requirement does not include general billing audits that are not specific to an ABC Credential Holder. Each ABC Credential Holder must make such disclosure to ABC within 30 days from learning of the commencement of action by any Agency. Each ABC Credential Holder must promptly and fully cooperate with ABC, the Committee and the Agencies. Facebook (opens in new window) Twitter (opens in new window) LinkedIn (opens in new window) Instagram (opens in new window) YouTube (opens in new window) Contact Us FAQs Privacy Policy Terms of Use American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics 330 John Carlyle Street, Suite 210, Alexandria, Virginia 22314 Phone: (703) 836-7114 | Fax: (703) 836-0838 | Email: info@abcop.org ©2021 American Board for Certification in Orthotics, Prosthetics & Pedorthics. All Rights Reserved. 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