CM-20 Employment of Impaired Healthcare Professionals

It is not the practice or responsibility of LSU Health Sciences Center Shreveport (LSUHSC-S), to employ impaired health care professionals, however, in some unique circumstances, LSUHSC-S may participate in the recovery process of impaired health care professionals in cooperation with regulatory board and impaired professional committees. The purpose of this document is to define specific guidelines that control the employment of a recovering, impaired health care professional, and accordingly, ensure the safety of patients under our care.

STATEMENT OF POLICY:

The decision to employ/reemploy/retain an impaired health care professional is based on a case by case consideration. This consideration utilizes information obtained from pre-employment screening (criminal background check, drug screen, and compliance background check), review by the duly appointed Impaired Professional Monitor, references, information from regulatory boards, and a review of the contract with the professional health committees assigned to monitor the impaired professional by the responsible regulatory board.

No department or component of LSUHSC-S may extend an offer for employment/re-employment to a person with a history of impairment without the prior written approval of the Chancellor or his designee.

To be considered for employment, the impaired and recovering health care professional must have completed any criminal sentence, including probation or diversion, and all pending charges must have been resolved. The appropriate regulatory board must have agreed to the impaired professional’s return to work and specified conditions for such return.

If applicable, the impaired professional must have entered into a contract with an appropriate monitoring committee or designated by the professional’s regulatory board. The recovering, impaired health care professional must enter into a contract with LSUHSC-S stating the terms and conditions of employment as outlined below. All terms of that contract must be satisfied, with a zero tolerance for infractions.

All employment will be probational until formally removed in writing by the Chancellor or his designee.

All employees must, at all times, abide by all rules and regulations of the University, and all state and federal statutes related to compliance.

The Chancellor shall appoint an Impaired Professional Monitor who will be responsible for monitoring and oversight of the recovering, impaired professional’s sobriety and adherence to the terms of the contract governing their employment. The recovering, impaired professional must cooperate fully with the Impaired Professional Monitor, including, but not limited to meetings and random drug screens, regardless of where located.

TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF CONTRACT:

• I understand that these terms and conditions are in addition to any contract or agreement that I have with any law enforcement agency, court licensing board, Physician’s Health Committee (PHC) or any other governmental or non-governmental entity.
• I understand that I am being employed/retained in a monitored status and will be on probation, which will continue until such time as it is formally removed in writing by the Chancellor or his designee.
• I understand that there is a zero tolerance policy in effect, and that the finding of any mood altering substances of any kind (excluding those prescribed by my approved primary care physician) in any bodily sample, shall result in my immediate dismissal from the program and the University.
• I shall have a primary care physician who is experienced in addiction medicine, and shall seek ALL medical care through this physician. I agree to provide written notification of the primary care physician to the Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs within 30 days of my employment and such physician is subject to the approval of the Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs.
• I will cooperate with the Impaired Professional Monitor, and shall submit to random drug screenings at such time and at such place that the Impaired Professional Monitor shall determine. These screenings shall be at my expense.
• I agree to meet with and cooperate with the University counselors and monitors at such times and places as the University may specify.
• I agree not to work in the delivery of health care at any other facility without the prior written approval of the Chancellor or his designee.
• I understand and agree that a copy of this document will be furnished to the Medical Director of the PHC, the Impaired Professional Monitor, the appropriate state licensing board, the Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs and my approved primary care physician.
• I will execute appropriate releases that authorize the release of any and all information obtained by any and all parties involved in my supervision, testing, monitoring, treatment and counseling to the Associate Dean for Clinical Affairs, Program Chairs and Program Directors or Supervisors, the PHC Medical Director and my primary care physician.
• I further understand that failure to comply with the PHC contract, or the failure to meet all terms and conditions of this agreement will result in my immediate dismissal from the Program and from the University, as well as the immediate reporting to all appropriate boards, committees and data banks.

This policy shall be amended or revised as needed.

This memorandum is effective August 5, 2004.

Signed: John C. McDonald, M.D. Chancellor