The board shall approve the monitoring program which shall participate in the rehabilitation of veterinarians. The board shall enter a contract with the monitoring program on an annual basis.
(1) A monitoring program may provide referrals for evaluations or treatment to the participating veterinarians.
(2) Monitoring program shall have staff with qualifications and knowledge commensurate with the scope of health conditions monitored by the program and the practice of veterinary medicine. At a minimum, program staff should be qualified to evaluate:
(a) Toxicology testing results;
(b) Laboratory results;
(c) The qualifications, work products, and recommendations of evaluators and treatment providers who serve program participants;
(d) Facilitator reports from health professional monitoring group;
(e) The veterinarian's work environment; and
(f) The ability of the veterinarian to practice with reasonable skill and safety.
(3) Monitoring program staff shall determine whether a veterinarian should refrain from practicing veterinary medicine for a period pending further evaluation or treatment and whether the veterinarian's access to controlled substances, or other workplace accommodations, are recommended to protect the health and well-being of the participant and their patients. Refusal to comply with recommended voluntary practice cessation, practice restrictions, or workplace accommodations will be reported to the board.
(4) A monitoring program shall:
(a) Enter an agreement with the veterinarian and the board to oversee the veterinarian's compliance with program requirements;
(b) Maintain records on participants;
(c) Provide feedback to the veterinarian if the treatment progress is acceptable;
(d) Report to the board any veterinarian who fails to comply with the requirements of the program;
(e) Provide the board with a statistical report on the program and relevant program updates, at least annually, or as requested by the board. Reports shall not include any identifying information regarding voluntary participants;
(f) Provide the board with a complete financial breakdown of cost for each veterinary participant by usage as required by the contract;
(g) Provide the board with a complete annual audited financial statement.
(5) The board shall approve and provide the monitoring program guidelines on treatment, monitoring, or limitations on the practice of veterinary medicine for participants.
[Statutory Authority: RCW
18.92.030,
18.92.047,
18.130.050,
18.130.175, and
18.130.186. WSR 24-02-020, § 246-933-620, filed 12/21/23, effective 1/21/24. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.92.030 and
18.130.050. WSR 91-24-098 (Order 221B), § 246-933-620, filed 12/4/91, effective 1/4/92. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.92.030. WSR 91-02-060 (Order 108B), recodified as § 246-933-620, filed 12/28/90, effective 1/31/91. Statutory Authority: RCW
18.130.175. WSR 90-21-029 (Order 93), § 308-158-030, filed 10/9/90, effective 11/10/90.]