Alternative disciplinary programs, i.e., impaired practitioner programs, take many forms and approaches. Some are administered “in-house,” while others are handled by outside vendors. Some programs cover a broad range of professions, while others are limited to a single profession. Additionally, some programs focus on compliance with monitoring requirements, while others may expand into intervention and treatment. This webinar will provide insight regarding best practices in selecting and administering an alternative disciplinary program. Topics examined will include criteria to evaluate the need for an impaired practitioner program, suggested cost-benefit analysis when setting up or selecting a program, and models in selected states and provinces. The discussion will also focus on development of evidence-based measurement of the effectiveness of alternative disciplinary programs that may inform the future course of these types of programs. The model and criteria used by the Virginia Department of Health Professions’ Impaired Practitioner Program, as well as Colorado and North Carolina, will be explored.
Presenters:Peggy Wood holds a BS in Education and has completed graduate work in public policy/planning and gereontology. She has been the program manager of the Impaired Practitioner’s Monitoring Program at the Virginia Department of Health Professions for the past 6 years. She previously held positions within DHP as an Investigator and Compliance Case Manager. Additional experience includes serving as a licensing board executive and as an environmental compliance manager and analyst for a national real estate investment trust.
Kay McMullan has been employed at the North Carolina Board of Nursing for over 20 years. Prior to that, she held various nursing positions including nursing instructor, medical-surgical staff nurse, Head Nurse Coronary Care Unit, and assistant director of nursing among others. Kay was the assigned staff member as the NC Board of Nursing explored the implementation of an Alternative to Discipline Chemical Dependency Program in the early 90s. In that role, she implemented the Program and has continued to be closely involved in its operation. Currently she is Associate Executive Director of Programs.
Rebecca Heck obtained her Bachelors degree in Nursing and her Masters of Public Health from Johns Hopkins University. She has worked as a staff nurse in intensive care units, as well as working as the Women’s Wellness Program Coordinator at a community clinic in Baltimore, Maryland. Rebecca joined Peer Assistance Services in August 2008 as the Director of the Nursing Peer Health Assistance Program. Peer Assistance Services is a non-profit organization that is dedicated to quality accessible prevention and intervention services in workplaces and communities, focusing on substance abuse and related issues.