Health Professionals’ Services Program

Presented by Dale Kaplan, LCSW-C (Maryland), MSWAC

Reliant Behavioral Health

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The History

• 2007-expose of the Nursing Board occurred after 2 month investigation by the Department of Administrative Services

• Allegations of protecting impaired nurses• Legislature determined need for a statewide

consolidated monitoring program to provide consistency in monitoring programs for impaired healthcare professionals

• 2009 Oregon Legislature passed HB 2345 established a new consolidated statewide monitoring program

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HB2345

• DHS given responsibility to contract with outside vendor to establish a monitoring program

• Program would be a diversion program, outside of discipline

• Program cannot diagnosis or provide treatment• Program is statute and administrative rule driven• Boards may not establish alternative programs• Program start date 7/1/10

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Reliant Behavioral Health

• Privately owned company with 16 years of experience in behavioral health care

• Expertise in Employee Assistance Programs, wellness, workplace safety and prevention

• Knowledgeable in case management and monitoring

• Strong understanding of the need for community in the recovery process– Employers, community support, treatment facilities,

treatment providers , associations

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Reliant Behavioral HealthHealth Professionals’ Services Program

• Mission Statement– Protect public safety while assisting licensees with mental

health and substance abuse problems continue in their professional careers

• Medical Director and nationally recognized Psychiatric Consultant

• Agreement Monitors -Master level in behavioral health and experienced

• Support teams-master and non-master level

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Health Professionals’ Services Program

• Voluntary Participation by Licensing Boards– Dental– Medical– Nursing– Pharmacy

• Eligibility Requirements: – Diagnosis of substance abuse disorder, mental

health disorder or both to be eligible for program – Maintain an active state license

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Type of Referrals

• Board Referrals

• Self Referrals

• No “other” Referrals Allowed

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Board Referrals

• Board conducts an investigation due to a complaint

• Board requires a third party evaluation for substance abuse/mental health

• Diversion program- may be in place of discipline or part of discipline

• Licensee must pay for costs of HPSP program– Toxicology testing– Fitness for Duty evaluation

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Self Referral

• Licensee contacts HPSP 888-802-2843 • Master level HPSP agreement monitor

explains program• Personal information is not requested at this

call• Releases, Consent to Participate, and Initial

Monitoring Agreement are sent to licensee or can be viewed and downloaded from website

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Self Referral

• Must sign attestation that licensee is not under investigation by Board

• Has to undergo mental health and substance abuse evaluation by 3rd party evaluator

• All 3rd party evaluators have to be approved by participating Boards and HPSP

• Has to undergo a safe practice investigation

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Self Referral

• Costs– Evaluation– Safe Practice Investigation– Toxicology testing– Fitness for duty

• Must have a minimum of 24 toxicology tests per year for a minimum of 2 years for substance abuse

• Must have a minimum of 6 toxicology tests within first 6 months for mental health disorders

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Self Referral

• Why self refer?? Why not wait till Board finds out?

• Need to admit to substance abuse and mental health treatment on licensing application and renewals

• There is always the risk that Board may find out through employer or co-worker report

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Why Self Refer

• The Boards recognize the proactive initiative of licensees who assume responsibility for their behaviors prior to any Board involvement

• Boards will conduct a cursory investigation at the very least in every case. If the only issue presented is being actively addressed with enrollment in HPSP, and there is no other public safety concern, the matter is more likely to be resolved in a shorter time frame and with less chance of a public order or disciplinary action

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Questions

• For additional information contact the HPSP at 888-802-2843

• Website: rbhhealthpro.com• Dale Kaplan, LCSW-C (Maryland), MSWAC at

503-802-9842 HPSP Program Manager and Vice President of EAP and Occupational Health Services