Ethics and Discipline Committee Report
The Ethics and Discipline Committee of the IBLCE considers, hears and makes dispositions of complaints filed about IBCLCs with the committee. The IBLCE believes that maintaining high ethical and practice standards among IBCLCs is critical to preserving the health and safety of breastfeeding mothers and babies. The Committee is charged with making decisions regarding whether or not complaints have grounds for discipline. If during the review of a complaint, the Committee determines that one or more tenets of the Code of Ethics has been violated, the Committee then decides if the IBCLC will receive a private reprimand, a public reprimand, or revocation of certification. A private reprimand is between the Committee, the respondent and the complainant. A public reprimand is between the Committee, the respondent, the complainant, the employers of the respondent and the lactation community. A revocation, the most serious consequence, is reserved for the most grievous of complaints, and is shared with the respondent, the complainant, the employers of the respondent, and the lactation community. The lactation community is informed about public reprimands and revocations via the IBLCE website and the next issue of The IBCLICK! newsletter.
At its March 2005 meeting, the Ethics & Discipline Committee of the International Board of Lactation Consultant Examiners (IBLCE) resolved the following cases:
Permanent Revocation of Certification
The IBCLC Certification of Heasook Kim of Seoul Korea and Irvine, California, USA, was permanently revoked effective February 24, 2005 for serious and repeated breaches of the security of IBLCE’s international examination. Ms. Kim admitted that she had copied photos used in the 1999, 2000 and 2001 IBLCE examinations onto slides and retained them for her use. This action was in breach of security agreements that she had signed in her capacity as an IBLCE translator and examination proctor. A formal complaint was made to the Committee by the person who found these materials in Ms Kim's possession in November 2003. After full investigation, the Committee found that Ms Kim had committed knowing, intentional and premeditated violations of the examination security policy over a period of at least three years. More specifically, the Committee further determined that these acts violated Tenet 3 (Fulfill professional commitments in good faith) and Tenet 4 (Conduct herself/himself with honesty, integrity and fairness) of the Code of Ethics for International Board Certified Lactation Consultants. Ms Kim may not use the letters IBCLC or represent herself as an International Board Certified Lactation Consultant, and is not eligible to reapply to become certified by the IBLCE in the future.
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Executive Summary of IBLCE Board Meeting Report
At the September 2007 the IBLCE Board approved:
The motion that IBLCE will not accept pre-exam education hours or award CERPs for sessions conducted by individuals whose certificate has been suspended or revoked by IBLCE during the period of suspension or revocation. This policy will be published on the website and through the IBCLICK. In addition, issues involving the misuse of the IBCLC credential and/or trademark infringement by an IBLCE exam candidate shall be handled by the Ethics and Discipline Committee, the IBLCE Board of Directors, and Legal Counsel. Further revisions in the IBLCE Scope of Practice, to include incorporation of the Code of Ethics, are underway.
IBLCE Policy
IBLCE will not accept pre-exam education hours obtained after August 1, 2008 for sessions presented or organized by a person who has had his or her certification suspended or revoked by IBLCE, for the period of suspension or revocation.
IBLCE will not award CERPs for sessions presented or organized after November 1, 2008, by a person who has had his or her certification suspended or revoked by IBLCE, for the period of suspension or revocation.
For more details and the latest decisions made in regards to Ethics and Discipline you may wish to review the Executive Summary of the IBLCE Board Meeting Report, September 2007. To view the report Click Here.
