Heartbeat Nursing Agency is a member of the Recruitment and Consulting Services Association (RCSA) and is subject to the RCSA Code of Professional Practice and Conduct.
Code for Professional Practice
General Principles
1. Members will observe a high standard of ethics, probity and professional conduct.
2. Ethical behaviour is not simply compliance with legal requirements, it extends to honesty, equity, integrity and social
responsibility in all dealings. It is behaviour that holds up to disclosure and to public
scrutiny.
3. All members are required to sign a “Statement of Commitment” to abide by the Code for Professional Practice and to
support the mission of the RCSA.
4. The Schedules to this Code form part of the Code and operate as guidelines to assist members to meet their obligations
arising under the Code’s Principles.
Principle 1—Confidentiality and Privacy
1. Members will take reasonable steps to maintain the confidentiality and privacy of candidate, client, and member
information.
2. Permission must be sought before disclosing confidential information.
Principle 2—Honest Dealings
1. Members will act honestly in all dealings with candidates, clients and members.
2. In the course of representing a candidate or client, a member shall not knowingly:
a. make a false statement of material fact;
b. fail to disclose a material fact
c. make a representation as to future matters without having reasonable grounds for making it.
3. Members must adhere to principals of truth in advertising.
4. Members will only advertise permanent positions for which they have permission to recruit.
5. All fees, charges and services provided must be explicitly and fully disclosed to clients prior to the acceptance of an
assignment, or prior to any work being undertaken for a client.
6. Members will not take on assignments that could result in their inability to pay temporary/contract workers.
Principle 3—Respect for Work Relationships
1. Members will not undertake actions that may unfairly or unlawfully jeopardise a candidate’s employment.
2. Members will not undertake actions that may unfairly or unlawfully interfere in work relationships established by others.
3. Members shall not attempt unfairly or unlawfully to prevent a candidate or temporary/contract worker from seeking
work from other sources.
4. Members will respect the rights of clients who have elected to change their staff service suppliers. Members must act
lawfully, fairly and ethically in respect of their involvement in transition arrangements. Principle 4—Respect for Laws
1. Members must comply with all legal, statutory and government requirements.
2. Members will not engage in any form of collusive practices.
3. Members shall take reasonable steps to ensure, so far as practicable, that all new employees honour their legal
obligations to previous employers.
Principle 5—Respect for Safety
1. Members will act diligently in assessing risks to candidates, clients and members.
2. Members will not knowingly put at risk candidates, clients or members.
3. Members shall inform their temporary/contrat workers whenever they have reason to believe that any particular assignment
causes an occupational health and safety risk.
Principle 6—Respect for Certainty of Engagement
1. Members will ensure that workers are given details of their work conditions, the nature of the work to be undertaken,
rates of pay and pay arrangements. 2. Any variation to the engagement can only occur with prior notification to the worker.
Principle 7—Professional Knowledge
1. Members will work diligently to develop and maintain a satisfactory and up to date level of relevant professional
knowledge.
2. Members will ensure that their staff are adequately trained and skilled to undertake their responsibilities.
Principle 8—Good Order
1. Member misconduct will be referred to the RCSA Disciplinary Committee. Subject to any appeal rights, its findings will
be binding on members.
2. Disputes between members, and other parties who agree, will be referred to the RCSA Disciplinary Committee for
resolution. Its findings will be binding on members and other parties.
3. Members must bring to the attention of the RCSA any violations of this Code by any member at the earliest possible time.
4. Members are encouraged to use process of negotiation, mediation and arbitration in order to resolve disputes and should
do so wherever practicable.
