Drug Diversion Investigations

In order to conduct an effective drug diversion investigation one must have specialized knowledge and an understanding of the accountability system for controlled substances. This session discusses how one follows the trail to assure accountability in pharmacy audits, long-term care audits, acute care systems, and anesthesia records. Attendees will look at accountability from automated dispensing systems to individual dosage units. The session will also look at appropriate documentation for the licensee as well as how to write your report so the audit is understandable and clear. Finally, the program addresses strategies for effective interviewing of a suspected diverter.

Investigating Allegations of Sexual Misconduct

This session focuses on sexual misconduct issues that regulators might encounter and the regulator’s possible role in both criminal and administrative actions. Topics include criminal sexual conduct; fetishes regulators might encounter; child pornography; professional sexual misconduct; sexual harassment; victim interviews; suspect interviews including questioning techniques; unfounded cases; and testifying in court. Attendees are provided with comprehensive instruction on working with a victim, including interview questions and techniques, before considering effective strategies for a suspect interview. Information about testifying in court or at an administrative hearing is also included in this module. Guidance for investigators, inspectors, surveyors, attorneys and managers from across the regulatory field is supplemented with opportunities for questions and interactive discussion.

Communication Skills and the Art of Persuasion

The ability to communicate effectively is a key component to being a successful investigator. Effective communication involves conveying your thoughts and positions to others as clearly, concisely and unambiguously as possible and, in turn, receiving information that others are providing to you with as little distortion and misunderstanding as possible. Good communication skills can serve to improve operational efficiency and productivity in the workplace and increase the confidence level of employees. On the other hand, poor communication skills may cause message misinterpretation or misunderstanding and lead to roadblocks in getting desired information. This session introduces participants to key components for effective communication including preparation and delivery techniques, use of language and physicality to get your point across, listening skills and the use of presentation aids.

Developing a Professional Attitude: Ethics for the Regulatory Investigator

Investigators are called upon to apply professional judgment to ever-changing factual situations as they perform their duties. These discretionary decisions coupled with the authority possessed by an investigator during the process can have very real consequences for all parties involved including the licensee, the department or agency the investigator represents and the investigator. There is a need to ensure that the investigator understands the importance of maintaining high ethical standards in carrying out his or her duties including the exercise of professional judgment. This course is designed to provide students with an advanced understanding of guidelines for ethical behavior as a regulatory investigator. The course reviews models for professional conduct and behavior by examining ethical standards establish by statute or governmental policy and professional ethical standards, explores the concepts of conflict of interests and scope of liability as they relate to public employment in general and the work of the investigator in specific and considers practical applications of ethical dilemmas through case studies and scenarios.

Certified Monitors and Compliance Officers

The certified monitors and compliance officers training program is a one-day module that focuses on the best investigative practices and requirements surrounding compliance, monitoring, and probationary programs. Regulatory organizations throughout the world depend on a wide variety of staff, consultants, and contractors to investigate and monitor the activities of licensees.

This program highlights the specific issues faced by certified monitors and compliance officers, those directly involved with monitoring a licensee’s behavior, condition, and practices following disciplinary action. Areas of emphasis in the module include:

• The role and responsibility of a monitor
  
• The monitor’s relationship with the regulatory organization
  
• Methods of monitoring a licensee
  
• Reporting requirements
  
• Substance abuse and medical monitoring
  
• Remedial measures often taken with licensees
  
• Tools and resources for monitors

The module may be offered as a stand-alone program or as an addition to the NCIT Basic and/or Specialized programs. 

Internal Investigations for Health and Extended Care

In order to meet societal and legal requirements, hospitals, long-term care facilities, and other human-care organizations need robust mechanisms in place to investigate claims of neglect or misconduct among employees. Although these investigations are internal, they still play a significant role in protecting the public and ensuring competence among health care professionals. CLEAR has developed a two-day training program specifically targeted for those staff members who are responsible for conducting these internal investigations into claims of neglect, patient care issues, or misconduct. The program covers a variety of investigative issues including:

• Designing a consistent plan and process for investigations
  
• How to identify, collect and maintain evidence properly
  
• Techniques for conducting interviews among staff
  
• Writing an accurate and factual report
  
• The preparation necessary for testifying or presenting the findings of an investigation

This program is especially helpful for risk managers, facility administrators, and managers as well as those staff within human resources or other departments who also investigate patient or employee complaints.