Drug Diversion Investigations
Investigating Allegations of Sexual Misconduct
Communication Skills and the Art of Persuasion
Developing a Professional Attitude: Ethics for the Regulatory Investigator
Administrative Law and the Regulatory Process: Understanding the Basics

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.

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.

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. Learning objectives for this workshop's attendees are:

• Understand why cases involving sexual misconduct require special attention
• Demonstrate sensitivity to the special needs of an investigation involving sexual misconduct
• Identify the resources necessary to assist you during your investigations of alleged sexual misconduct

Topics will include:

• Defining sexual misconduct
• Interviewing complainants and witnesses
• Interviewing person(s) of interest
• Types of evidence

Information about testifying in court or at an administrative hearing is also included in this module. At the end of the workshop, attendees are given the opportunity to work through two case studies with fellow workshop attendees.

Administrative Law and the Regulatory Process:  Understanding the Basics

This program is a two-day workshop for those involved in the legal process for regulatory agencies who need practical knowledge of administrative law in order to be effective in their role. This program is designed to be an introduction to the regulatory legal process and will provide training on administrative law, the role of agency general counsel, adjudication and litigation.