Arizona Medical Board Probation Attorney: Lawyers for Arizona Medical Board Probation issues

Probation from the Arizona Medical Board against the licenses of physicians in Arizona is offered through a Consent Agreement.  The Consent Agreement requires the physician to do certain things (drug testing, work supervision, counseling, continuing education).  Or alternatively, refrain from doing things (using alcohol, prescribing schedule drugs, seeing certain patients, etc.). The Arizona Medical Board can place physicians on probation through:

• Stipulated Rehabilitation Agreement
• Interim Practice Restriction
• Decree of Censure with Probation
• Letter of Reprimand with Probation
• Practice Limitation

Probation for a Medical Professional

Physicians who hold a license in Arizona can face disciplinary actions by the Arizona Medical Board for many different reasons.  If the Medical Board determines formal licensing action is necessary it will happen after the completion of an investigation. It’s the job of the Board to review any complaint alleging a violation of the Arizona Medical Practice Act and Arizona law.  Thus, at an Arizona State Board Meeting the Board will vote to determine the outcome of each investigation, thus, a defense attorney may be needed.  The Board can vote on a non-disciplinary outcome or vote to offer the physician formal discipline.

Attorneys for Practice Complaints for Medical Professionals

After receiving an Arizona Medical Board Complaint or self-report, a physician receives a notice from the Board requesting additional information as well as a response to allegations found in the complaint. From here, the Medical Board assigns an investigator to the complaint and they begin to collect evidence. The documents and evidence collected includes:

• Patient medical records
• Employment files from the physician’s employer and business
• Criminal records
• Interviews of people associated with the Board Complaint (These interviewees can include the patient, medical director, colleagues, etc.)

Arizona Medical Board Disciplinary Action

When a physician in Arizona is facing a complaint or investigation by their medical board, they may also face Arizona Medical Board Disciplinary Actions. Facing disciplinary action can have vast repercussions on a medical career. This can include license probation, suspension or revocation. It can also jeopardize employment. A physician under investigation can face termination at their current job after receiving a complaint or after the Board initiates an investigation.

There are certain allegations that can cause a physician to receive disciplinary action. These include:

• Improper record keeping
• Reporting false information
• Negligence
• Physical abuse of patients
• Sexual abuse of patients
• Criminal convictions
• Substance Abuse
• Disruptive Conduct
• Judicial or Court Proceedings

Arizona Medical Board Non Disciplinary Actions

• CASE DISMISSAL:  The Arizona Board may dismiss a complaint if they determine the information indicates there was not a violation of the rules of the Arizona physician Practice Act.  This outcome is not available to the public.
• ADVISORY LETTER: A letter from the Board expressing concern that the physician’s conduct was not ideal; however, the conduct does not necessarily violate the Medical Practice Act or Board policy and no further contact is needed.  This will not effect future licensure or if the physician wishes further their education. This is not shown on license verification.
• NON-DISCIPLINARY ORDER FOR CONTINUING EDUCATION: An order that dictates the physician must complete a number of hours of continuing medical education for specific topics.

Arizona MD Unprofessional Conduct

• REVOCATION: If the Board revokes a physician’s license the physician will be unable to practice or get licensed again for a minimum of five years. After the five year period license revocation the physician will need to reapply for their license. If the physician reapplies for licensure they must demonstrate the grounds for revocation (substance abuse, mental health problems, criminal convictions) has been rectified through an applicable program. This is a public document.
• VOLUNTARY SURRENDER: The physician voluntarily gives up their license. The benefit of this voluntary consent is that the Board is usually willing to reduce the amount of time until a physician can reapply. This is usually between two to three years.
• SUSPENSION: A suspension stops the physician from practicing. It prohibits any patient contact or services for a period of time until the Board lifts the suspension.
• PROBATION: The Board offers probation through a consent agreement. The consent agreement requires the physician do certain things (drug testing, work supervision, counseling, continuing education).  Alternatively, they may need to refrain from doing things (unsupervised Medical like home health, working under the Medical licensure compact, using alcohol, etc.) A request for a removal of probation will be needed.
• LETTER OF REPRIMAND: A letter of reprimand is the lowest level of formal discipline against a respondent. There are no probationary requirements. However, the action is on the website for five years for the public to inspect. A document removal will occur five years after signed. This is similar to a civil penalty with other boards.
• STIPULATED REHABILITATION AGREEMENT: Similar to an interim practice restriction, this is an Agreement that dictates the physician must be monitored and complete rehabilitation. For instance, a physician found to have a substance abuse problem would be subject to drug testing, group or individual therapy, practice restrictions and supervision and their license to practice medicine would be affected.

Medical License Defense Legal Assistance

If you’re interested in learning more about our Arizona Medical Board Attorney services and how to protect your license, set up a consultation with the license defense attorneys with Chelle Law today.