The mandatory Code of Professional Ethics defines the ethical relationship the public, the bench, and the bar have a right to expect from a Member. The Code sets out the conduct of the Member when dealing with the user of reporting services and acquaints the user, as well as the Member, with guidelines established for professional behavior. The Guidelines for Professional Practice, on the other hand, are goals which every Member should strive to attain and maintain. Members are urged to comply with the Guidelines and must adhere to local, state and federal rules and statutes. It should be noted that these guidelines do not exhaust the moral and ethical considerations with which the Member should conform, but provide the framework for the practice of reporting. Not every situation a Member may encounter can be foreseen, but a Member should always adhere to fundamental ethical principles. By complying with the Code of Professional Ethics and Guidelines for Professional Practice, Members maintain their profession at the highest level.
Code of Professional Ethics
A Member Shall:
Be fair and impartial toward each participant in all aspects of reported proceedings, and always offer to provide comparable services to all parties in a proceeding.
Be alert to situations that are conflicts of interest or that may give the appearance of a conflict of interest. If a conflict or a potential conflict arises, the Member shall disclose that conflict or potential conflict.
Guard against not only the fact but the appearance of impropriety.
Preserve the confidentiality and ensure the security of information, oral or written, entrusted to the Member by any of the parties in a proceeding.
Be truthful and accurate when making public statements or when advertising the Member's qualifications or the services provided.
Refrain, as an official reporter, from freelance reporting activities that interfere with official duties and obligations.
Determine fees independently, except when established by statute or court order, entering into no unlawful agreements with other reporters on the fees to any user.
Refrain from giving, directly or indirectly, any gift or anything of value to attorneys or their staff, other clients or their staff, or any other persons or entities associated with any litigation, which exceeds $100 in the aggregate per recipient each year. Nothing offered in exchange for future work is permissible, regardless of its value. Pro bono services as defined by the NCRA Guidelines for Professional Practice or by applicable state and local laws, rules and regulations are permissible in any amount.
Maintain the integrity of the reporting profession.
The transcriber will keep strictly confidential all information learned during transcribing settings.
The transcriber will accurately transcribe the meaning of the spoken utterances made by individuals in the classroom or other transcribing situation.
The transcriber will accurately voice comments and questions in reverse interpreting situations.
The transcriber will not answer student questions about class content. The transcriber will instead facilitate communication between the instructor and student, by transcribing or voicing as needed.
The transcriber will not offer opinions or input of any kind in classes and meetings, even if invited to do so by instructors or others.
The transcriber will accept only those assignments for which he or she possesses appropriate skills.
The transcriber will strive to continually improve his or her transcribing skills.
The transcriber will prevent unauthorized people from using TypeWell to provide services for students and others.
