Oklahoma Allied Professional
Peer Assistance Program

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Rules

Title 435.  State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision
Chapter 12.  Allied Professional Peer Assistance Program

435:12-1-1.  Purpose

The rules of this Chapter have been adopted for the purpose of complying with Title 59 O.S., 518.1, the Oklahoma Allopathic Medical and Surgical Licensure and Supervision Act.  The Allied Professional Peer Assistance Program is created to rehabilitate allied medical professionals whose competency may be compromised because of the abuse of drugs or alcohol.

435:12-1-2.  Definitions

The following words and terms, when used in this Chapter, shall have the following meaning, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise:

"Allied Peer Assistance Committee"
means the peer assistance evaluation advisory committee created in Title 59 O.S., section 518.1.
"Board"
means the State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision.
"Professional"
means a person licensed in one of the allied professions licensed by the State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision.

435:12-1-3.  Allied Professional Peer Assistance Program

  1. (a)The Board may appoint an Allied Peer Assistance Committee.
  2. (b)Five Dollars ($5.00) of the renewal fee for each allied professional licensed by the Board shall be used to implement and maintain the Allied Professional Peer Assistance Program.
  3. (c)Unless otherwise prohibited by applicable law, records of the professionals enrolled in the Allied Professional Peer Assistance Program shall be kept separate from the records of the Board and made public only by court order; provided however, confidential treatment shall be cancelled upon default by the professional in complying with the requirements of the program.
  4. (d)The Board may outsource the program to professional groups specialized in this area.

435:12-1-4.  Allied Peer Assistance Committee(s)

  1. (a)The Allied Peer Assistance Committee members shall be appointed by the Board for a term of three (3) years. The Board may remove any member for neglect of duty, for incompetency, or for unethical or dishonorable conduct.
  2. (b)The Committee shall consist of three (3) members, two (2) of which shall be licensed allied medical professionals with expertise in chemical dependency.
  3. (c)The Committee shall meet at least semi-annually and review reports submitted by the Program Coordinator.

435:12-1-5.  Duties of Program Coordinator(s)

  1. (a)The Board may employ and set the salary of the program coordinator(s). 
  2. (b)The Program Coordinator(s) shall report directly to the Board.
  3. (c)The Program Coordinator shall:
    1. (1)Review all complaints regarding a professional suspected of practicing while habitually intemperate or addicted to the use of habit-forming drugs shall be directed to the Program Coordinator.
    2. (2)Meet with the professional and determine whether an assessment/evaluation should be completed.
    3. (3)Develop a Treatment Plan for participation in the Program.
    4. (4)Review results of the professional’s participation in the program.
    5. (5)Determine if a professional should be discharged from the Program for failure to comply with the Contract and/or Treatment Plan.
    6. (6)Make semi-annual reports to the Allied Peer Assistance Committee and/or Board.
    7. (7)Coordinate and conduct the Allied Peer Assistance Committee meetings.

435:12-1-6.  Eligibility for Acceptance into the Program

  1. (a)  To be eligible for participation in the Program, each applicant must:
    1. (1)voluntarily submit an application for participation;
    2. (2)have a current unrestricted license; and
    3. (3)reside in Oklahoma.
  2. (b)The Board and/or Program Coordinator may refer an applicant for licensure to the Program.  
  3. (c)Professionals previously disciplined by the Board shall be ineligible unless referred to the Program by the Board.

435:12-1-7.  Requirements of Participants

Participants shall be required to sign a Contract with the Allied Professional Peer Assistance Program, comply with the Treatment Plan and be responsible for the financial costs of participation.

435:12-1-8.  Discharge from Program

  1. (a)Reasons for being discharged from the Program include, but are not limited to:
    1. (1)failure to comply with the terms of the Contract/Treatment Plan; or
    2. (2)the participant has become unsafe to practice.
  2. (b)Any participant discharged from the Program for reasons listed in (a) shall be reported to the Board. 
  3. (c)Upon notification of the discharge, the Executive Director of the Board shall suspend the license and assign a hearing date for the matter to be presented to the Board.

 

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