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DUI consequences for healthcare workers

Posted on November 30, 2017 in DUI Consequences

In Arizona, licensed Health Care workers have a duty to report a misdemeanor DUI arrest within ten days of the date of arrest. This presents some difficult problems for health care workers. First, it not only applies to doctors and nurses, but in Arizona this law applies to dental hygienists, veterinary technicians, athletic trainers, massage therapists,pharmacy technicians, respiratory therapists and dozens of others.

Even if the arrest does not result in a conviction, most Arizona health care licensing boards will start an investigation while the DUI is still pending in court. The health care worker is usually asked to send the Board the police reports, and meet with them. The Boards have the power to take an individual’s medical license away, although it rarelyhappens for first offense misdemeanor DUI. They can take force an individual to get a substance abuse evaluation. Additionally, they can place an individual on probation. Some of the factors the board will examine are:

  • What your Blood Alcohol Content (BAC) was.
  • If you were charged with an Extreme DUI, it is likely that the Board will order an addiction evaluation.
  • How many prior DUI convictions you have had.
  • Whether you have a history of substance abuse.
  • Do you have a record of substance abuse with your past employers

    What does the Arizona Board of Nursing say?

    According to the Arizona State Board of Nursing website, the duty to report includes mandatory report (or self-reporting) of any conduct that involves:

    • Criminal charges, including misdemeanor or felony DUI, within 10 days of formal charges
    • Felony conviction, within 10 days
    • Misuse of alcohol or dependency on unprescribed chemical substances that may be detrimental to the safe performance of nursing responsibilities

It is essential for an individual with an Arizona Health Care provider licenses to act quickly and seek legal assistance with these complicated matters. If you find yourself facing charges related to DUI, you should seek out an experience criminal defense attorney and a professional license defense attorney. In addressing such cases, it is important to beproactive, and to know your rights, obligations and responsibilities as they apply to your duty to disclose an arrest or conviction, and how to defend against a licensing agency that seeks to inquiry about, or discipline a license based upon, a DUI.

In Arizona, licensed Health Care workers have a duty to report a misdemeanor DUI arrest within ten days of the date of arrest. This presents some difficult problems for health care workers. First, it not only applies to doctors and nurses, but in Arizona this law applies to dental hygienists, veterinary technicians, athletic trainers, massage therapists,pharmacy technicians, respiratory therapists and dozens of others.

Even if the arrest does not result in a conviction, most Arizona health care licensing boards will start an investigation while the DUI is still pending in court. The health care worker is usually asked to send the Board the police reports, and meet with them. The Boards have the power to take an individual’s medical license away, although it rarelyhappens for first offense misdemeanor DUI. They can take force an individual to get a substance abuse evaluation. Additionally, they can place an individual on probation. Some of the factors the board will examine are:

It is essential for an individual with an Arizona Health Care provider licenses to act quickly and seek legal assistance with these complicated matters. If you find yourself facing charges related to DUI, you should seek out an experience criminal defense attorney and a professional license defense attorney. In addressing such cases, it is important to beproactive, and to know your rights, obligations and responsibilities as they apply to your duty to disclose an arrest or conviction, and how to defend against a licensing agency that seeks to inquiry about, or discipline a license based upon, a DUI.

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