(1) The osteopathic physician who has been investigated by the board may accept board referral into the monitoring program. This may occur as a result of disciplinary action.
(a) The osteopathic physician shall undergo a complete physical and psychosocial evaluation before entering the monitoring program. This evaluation is to be performed by a health care professional(s) with expertise in impairing health conditions. The person(s) performing the evaluation shall not be the provider of the recommended treatment.
(b) The osteopathic physician shall enter into a contract with the board and the monitoring program to comply with the requirements of the program which may include, but not be limited to:
(i) The osteopathic physician will undergo treatment of an impairing health condition by a treatment facility.
(ii) An agreement to abstain from the use of all mind-altering substances, including alcohol, except for medications prescribed by an authorized prescriber, as defined in RCW
69.41.030 and
69.50.101. The prescriber shall notify the monitoring program of all drugs prescribed within 14 days of the date care was provided.
(iii) Completion of any prescribed aftercare program of the treatment facility. This may include individual or group psychotherapy, or both.
(iv) Directing the treatment counselor(s) and authorized prescriber(s) to provide reports to the appropriate monitoring program at specified intervals. Reports shall include treatment prognosis, goals, drugs prescribed, etc.
(v) Submitting to random drug screening, with observed specimen collection, as specified by the monitoring program.
(vi) Attending osteopathic physician support groups facilitated by health care professionals or twelve-step group meetings, or both as specified by the contract.
(vii) Complying with specified employment conditions and restrictions as defined by the contract.
(viii) Signing a waiver allowing the monitoring program to release information to the board if the osteopathic physician does not comply with the requirements of the contract.
(c) The osteopathic physician is responsible for paying the costs of the physical and psychosocial evaluation, treatment of the impairing health condition, random urine screens, and other personal expenses incurred in compliance with the contract.
(d) The osteopathic physician may be subject to disciplinary action under RCW
18.130.160 and
18.130.180 if the osteopathic physician does not consent to be referred to the monitoring program, does not comply with specified practice restrictions, or does not successfully complete the program.
(2) An osteopathic physician who is not being investigated by the board or subject to current disciplinary action, or not currently being monitored by the board for an impairing health condition, may voluntarily participate in the monitoring program without being referred by the board. Such voluntary participants shall not be subject to disciplinary action under RCW
18.130.160 and
18.130.180 for their impairing health condition, and shall not have their participation made known to the board if they continue to satisfactorily meet the requirements of the monitoring program:
(a) The osteopathic physician shall undergo a complete physical and psychosocial evaluation before entering the monitoring program. This evaluation will be performed by a health care professional with expertise in impairing health conditions. The person(s) performing the evaluation shall not also be the provider of the recommended treatment.
(b) The osteopathic physician shall enter into a contract with the monitoring program to comply with the requirements of the program which shall include, but not be limited to:
(i) Treatment for an impairing health condition by a treatment facility.
(ii) Agreeing to abstain from the use of all mind-altering substances, including alcohol, except for medications prescribed by an authorized prescriber, as defined in RCW
69.41.030 and
69.50.101. Said prescriber shall notify the monitoring program of all drugs prescribed within 14 days of the date care was provided.
(iii) Completion of any prescribed aftercare program of the treatment facility. This may include individual or group psychotherapy, or both.
(iv) Directing the treatment counselor(s) and authorized prescriber(s) to provide reports to the monitoring program at specified intervals. Reports shall include treatment prognosis, goals, drugs prescribed, etc.
(v) Submitting to random drug screening, with observed specimen collection, as specified by the monitoring program.
(vi) Attending osteopathic physician support groups facilitated by a health care professional or twelve-step group meetings, or both as specified by the individual's contract.
(vii) Complying with specified employment conditions and restrictions as defined by the contract.
(viii) Signing a waiver allowing the monitoring program to release information to the board if the osteopathic physician does not comply with the requirements of the contract. The osteopathic physician may be subject to disciplinary action under RCW
18.130.160 and
18.130.180 for noncompliance with the contract or if they do not successfully complete the program.
(c) The osteopathic physician is responsible for paying the costs of the physical and psychosocial evaluation, treatment of impairing health condition, random urine screens, and other personal expenses incurred in compliance with the contract.
