Current through Register Vol. 24-18, September 15, 2024
(1) In lieu of disciplinary action, the
optometrist may accept board referral into the approved monitoring program or
voluntary substance use disorder monitoring program.
(a) The optometrist shall undergo a complete
physical and psycho-social evaluation before entering the approved monitoring
program. This evaluation will be performed by health care professionals with
expertise in chemical dependency.
(b) The optometrist shall enter into a
contract with the board and the approved monitoring program to comply with the
requirements of the program which shall include, but not be limited to:
(i) The optometrist shall undergo intensive
substance use disorder treatment in an approved treatment facility.
(ii) The optometrist shall agree to remain
free of all mind-altering substances including alcohol except for medications
prescribed by an authorized prescriber as defined in
RCW
69.41.030 and
69.50.101.
(iii) The optometrist shall complete the
prescribed aftercare program of the intensive treatment facility, which may
include individual or group psychotherapy.
(iv) The optometrist shall cause the
treatment counselor to provide reports to the approved monitoring program at
specified intervals. Reports shall include treatment, prognosis, and
goals.
(v) The optometrist shall
submit to random drug screening as specified by the approved monitoring
program.
(vi) The optometrist shall
attend support groups facilitated by a health care professional or 12 step
group meetings as specified by the contract.
(vii) The optometrist shall comply with
specified employment conditions and restrictions as defined by the
contract.
(viii) The optometrist
shall sign a waiver allowing the approved monitoring program to release
information to the board if the optometrist does not comply with the
requirements of this contract.
(c) The optometrist is responsible for paying
the costs of the physical and psychosocial evaluation, substance use disorder
treatment, and random drug screens.
(d) The optometrist may be subject to
disciplinary action under
RCW
18.130.160 if the optometrist does not
consent to be referred to the approved monitoring program, does not comply with
specified employment restrictions, or does not successfully complete the
program.
(2) An
optometrist who is not being investigated by the board or subject to current
disciplinary action or currently being monitored by the board for substance use
disorder may voluntarily participate in the approved substance use disorder
monitoring program without being referred by the board. Such voluntary
participants shall not be subject to disciplinary action under
RCW
18.130.160 for their substance use disorder,
and shall not have their participation made known to the board if they meet the
requirements of the approved monitoring program:
(a) The optometrist shall undergo a complete
physical and psychological evaluation before entering the approved monitoring
program. This evaluation shall be performed by health care professionals with
expertise in chemical dependency.
(b) The optometrist shall enter into a
contract with the approved substance use disorder monitoring program to comply
with the requirements of the program which shall include, but not be limited
to:
(i) The optometrist shall undergo
intensive substance use disorder treatment in an approved treatment
facility.
(ii) The optometrist
shall agree to remain free of all mind-altering substances including alcohol
except for medications prescribed by an authorized prescriber, as defined in
RCW
69.41.030 and
69.50.101.
(iii) The optometrist shall complete the
prescribed aftercare program of the intensive treatment facility, which may
include individual or group psychotherapy.
(iv) The optometrist shall cause the
treatment counselor to provide reports to the approved monitoring program at
specified intervals. Reports shall include treatment, prognosis, and
goals.
(v) The optometrist shall
submit to random drug screening as specified by the approved monitoring
program.
(vi) The optometrist shall
attend support groups facilitated by a health care professional or 12 step
group meetings as specified by the contract.
(vii) The optometrist shall comply with
employment conditions and restrictions as defined by the contract.
(viii) The optometrist shall sign a waiver
allowing the approved monitoring program to release information to the board if
the optometrist does not comply with the requirements of this
contract.
(c) The
optometrist is responsible for paying the costs of the physical and
psychosocial evaluation, substance use disorder treatment, and random drug
screens.
(3) Treatment
and pretreatment records shall be confidential as provided by law in chapters
42.56 and 42.17A RCW.
Statutory Authority:
RCW
18.54.070,
18.130.050 and
18.130.186. 92-06-030 (Order
248B), § 246-851-470, filed 2/26/92, effective
3/28/92.
