Any party who desires a continuance shall, immediately upon receipt of notice of a hearing, or as soon thereafter as facts requiring such continuance come to his or her knowledge, notify the hearing officer and board of said desire, stating in detail the reasons why such continuance is necessary. The hearing officer and board, in passing upon a request for continuance, shall consider whether such request was promptly and timely made. For good cause shown, the hearing officer and board may grant such a continuance and may at any time order a continuance upon its own or a party's motion. During a hearing, if it appears in the public interest or in the interest of justice that further testimony or argument should be received, the hearing officer and board may, in its discretion, continue the hearing and fix the date for introduction of additional evidence or presentation of argument. Such oral notice shall constitute final notice of such continued hearing.