Section 246-922-415 - Participation in monitoring programs(1) The podiatric physician who has been investigated by the board may accept board referral into the monitoring program. Referral may occur in lieu of disciplinary action under RCW 18.130.160 or as a result of a board order as final disposition of a disciplinary action. The podiatric physician: (a) Shall undergo a complete physical and psychosocial evaluation before entering the approved monitoring program. This evaluation is to be performed by a health care professional(s) with expertise in impairing health conditions;(b) Shall enter into a contract with the monitoring program to comply with the requirements of the program which may include, but not be limited to: (i) Treatment of an impairing health condition by an approved 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 after-care and continuing care program of the treatment facility. This may include either 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 podiatric physician support groups facilitated by either 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 podiatric physician does not comply with the requirements of the contract;(c) 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) May be subject to disciplinary action under RCW 18.130.160 and 18.130.180 if the podiatric 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) A podiatric 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. The podiatric physician: (a) 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;(b) Shall enter into a contract with the monitoring program to comply with the requirements of the program which may include, but not be limited to: The podiatric physician: (i) Treatment for an impairing health condition by an approved 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 after-care and continuing care program of the treatment facility. This may include either individual or group therapy, or both;(iv) Directing the treatment counselor(s) and authorized prescriber(s) to provide reports to the approved 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 approved monitoring program;(vi) Attending podiatric physician support groups facilitated by either a health care professional 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 approved monitoring program to release information to the board if the podiatric physician does not comply with the requirements of the contract. A podiatric physician may be subject to disciplinary action under RCW 18.130.160 and 18.130.180 for noncompliance with the contract or if the program is not successfully completed;(c) 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.Wash. Admin. Code § 246-922-415
Amended by WSR 24-01-121, Filed 12/19/2023, effective 1/19/2024Statutory Authority: RCW 18.22.015 and chapter 18.22 RCW. 94-14-082, § 246-922-415, filed 7/5/94, effective 8/5/94.