Louisiana Administrative Code
Title 46 - PROFESSIONAL AND OCCUPATIONAL STANDARDS
Part LXIX - Registered Dietitians/Nutritionists
Chapter 7 - Practitioner Health Program
Section LXIX-701 - Purpose and Scope

A. Upon voluntary disclosure or proof that an applicant or licensee has provided professional services while under the influence of alcohol or has used narcotic or controlled dangerous substances or other drugs in excess of therapeutic amounts or without valid medical indication, the board may offer the applicant or licensee the practitioner health program in order to receive, renew, or maintain the professional license. Participation in the program may be required as a prerequisite to initial application for licensure or continued practice in accordance with the conditions of any consent order, compliance hearing, or adjudication hearing.

B. The board, or its designated program administrator, may utilize its discretionary authority to require or exclude specific components of this program for participants based upon determination of the nature and severity of the impairment. Participation in the practitioner health program may consist of all or part of the following components:

C. The licensee will be responsible for executing all required releases of information and authorizations required for the board, or its designated program administrator, to obtain information from any monitor, treatment or service provider concerning the licensee's progress and participation in the program.

D. The applicant or licensee will bear the financial burden for all costs incurred in complying with the terms of assessments, supervision, drug/alcohol screens, and reproduction of treatment or other records.

E. The licensee shall notify the board and its designated program administrator's office by telephone within 48 hours and in writing within five days of any changes of licensee's home address, telephone number, employment status, employer, supervisor, and/or change in practice at a facility.

F. In the event that a licensee relocates to another jurisdiction, the licensee will within five days of relocating be required to either enroll in the other jurisdiction's practitioner health program and have the reports required under the agreement sent to the board, or its designated program administrator, or if the other jurisdiction has no practitioner health program, the licensee will notify the licensing board of that jurisdiction that the licensee is impaired and enrolled in the Louisiana program. In the event the licensee fails to do so, the license will be suspended.

G. Violation of the terms or conditions of the program may result in the immediate suspension of the individual's license to practice or other penalties for noncompliance.

H. The board, and its designated program administrator, will, to the full extent permissible, maintain an agreement or consent agreement and order relating to the licensee's participation in the practitioner health program as a confidential matter. The board, and its designated program administrator, retains the discretion to share information it deems necessary with those persons providing evaluation/assessment, therapy, treatment, supervision, monitoring or drug/alcohol testing or reports. Violation of any terms, conditions or requirements contained in any consent order, or board decision can result in a loss of the confidential status.