Kansas Medical Professionals: Cope with Stress or Risk Losing your License

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Stress, some would argue, is just part of the job for most medical professionals. Whether you are a doctor, nurse or therapist, you undoubtedly are under a considerable amount of stress not only at work, but also in your personal life. As such, medical professionals need to learn how to recognize and cope with stress—much like they have learned to deal with difficult patients and coworkers. Failing to deal effectively with stress can lead to a multitude of problems and ultimately put a professional’s license at risk by interfering with the quality of care that their patients deserve. This can ultimately lead to patient complaints and a litany of other problems.  With this in mind, there are a number of tips you should consider in managing your stress levels:

  • Identify the source: If you feel stressed out, try to take a minute to determine what is causing the stress. Is the tension you are feeling related to a work-related event, such as a trying patient, or do you just feel more stressed because of something going on in your personal life? Medical professionals are “real” people too and have personal problems that can sometimes inconspicuously spill over into work. Once you identify the source of stress, you can take appropriate actions to address the issue.
  • Take a break: Sometimes a small break from a stressful situation can make a big difference. Briefly removing yourself from the situation can often bring you clarity and allow you to regain your composure. Recognizing that you are stressed and allowing yourself to determine an appropriate response is key. Stress in the workplace may seem inevitable, but remember, you can take control of how you handle it so your patients do not suffer as a result.
  • Be on the lookout: Stress does not look the same on all people. In one person, stress may resemble anxiety while in another it may manifest itself as anger. Unmanaged stress can also lead to depression, job-related burn-out and abuse of alcohol and other drugs. Once you are aware of how you deal with stress, the better you can cope. 
  • Determine a way to cope with stress: The good news is that there are many ways to cope with stress. From exercise to meditation to engaging in an activity that you thoroughly enjoy, the key is to find something that works for you. If you are not finding relief from stress after trying a few different approaches, it may be a good idea to seek the advice of a professional. Therapists and counselors can help you gain insight into the source of your stress and how to successfully manage it.

If you are medical professional who is being reviewed by the Kansas Board of the Healing Arts or Board of Nursing, the Sanger Law Office can help. I invite you to call the Sanger Law Office at 785-979-4353 for a free and completely confidential consultation. As a medical professional your license is not just your career it is your livelihood. You can rely on Danielle Sanger and the Sanger Law Offices to investigate the charges being brought against you and defend your professional license and protect your reputation.

 

Mandated Reporting: One Kansas Teacher’s Tragic Misstep

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Teachers arguably have one of the most important jobs in the country—they educate our nation’s children. Although teaching can be rewarding, it can also be quite challenging. We rely on teachers to serve as mentors to and carefully watch over and guide students. However, Kansas teachers are more than just educators, they are also “mandated reporters”.  As such, teachers are required by Kansas law to report any suspected abuse of a child. Failing to do so could result in the loss of a teaching license. Recently, one Kansas teacher learned this lesson the hard way—by losing her teaching license and her career, despite the fact that she was a 17 year teaching veteran. This event should serve as a reminder to all teachers that vigilance is necessary to protect a teaching license.

In April 2012, a Wichita elementary school teacher surrendered her teaching license to the Kansas State Board of Education. The teacher was accused of not promptly reporting an incident of suspected child abuse. By a 6-2 vote, the Kansas Board accepted the teacher’s surrender and revoked her teaching license. However, there was quite a bit of public controversy surrounding the Board’s decision.

A local newspaper wrote that the teacher did in fact report her suspicions of abuse to the principal and a social worker at her school, but made the report more than a week later due to a technical problem with her computer. One Board member who voted against revoking the teacher’s license commented that he thought that the Board’s decision was “an absolute atrocity”.  He was not the only one to speak out against the Board’s decision. Several former teachers indicated that the decision to make a report is never clear-cut. Specifically, they pointed out that teachers are often afraid to make a report, fearing that if they are incorrect, things will become worse for the child.

Accordingly, Kansas law provides that if a mandated reporter has a reason to suspect that a child has been or is currently being harmed as the result of physical, mental, emotional or sexual abuse, he or she must “promptly” make a report to the Kansas Department of Social and Rehabilitation Services.

Although all teachers in the state of Kansas are deemed mandated reporters, each school district may have their own unique policies with regard to reporting.  For instance, in Wichita, the school district’s policy provides that teachers are required to report suspicions of abuse to state officials on the same day the suspicion first arises.

In light of the above, teachers as well as other mandated reporters not only risk their professional license if they do not comply with the aforesaid reporting duties, but could also face criminal penalties. In Kansas, a mandated reporter’s willful and knowing failure to report suspected child abuse is a Class B misdemeanor and could result in fines up to $1,000 or up to 6 months in jail.

If you are a teacher facing an investigation by the Kansas Education Board you need an experienced attorney on your side. I invite you to contact the Sanger Law Office at 785-979-4353 for a free and completely confidential consultation. Trust the seasoned professionals at the Sanger Law Office to protect your teaching license and your livelihood.

Safeguard your Kansas Dental License: Avoid these Six Misdeeds

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In April 2013, an Oklahoma dentist made headlines when it was reported that more than 60 people who had visited his practice over the years had tested positive for HIV or hepatitis. The dentist now faces a formal hearing before the Oklahoma Dentistry Board for using rusted equipment that was not properly sterilized and also, reusing syringes. The dentist has surrendered his license but may also face criminal charges. This case is a clear-cut example of behavior that warrants loss of license, but there are other cases that aren’t quite as black and white. To safeguard your dental license, here are a number of misdeeds that you should avoid:

  1. HIPAA Violations: The Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996 (HIPAA) protects patient’s private health information from being improperly shared. In order to protect your license, make certain that your staff members are well trained and understand their responsibilities with respect to HIPAA and other relevant laws.
  1. Drug and Alcohol Abuse:  Drinking and driving is not only a dangerous combination but it can also jeopardize your dental license. The Kansas Dental Practices Act prohibits any behavior that it deems to be detrimental to the general public’s health, safety and welfare. The Act further allows the Board to discipline any licensee that habitually uses intoxicants or drugs that render the licensee unfit to practice. This also, of course, includes performing dental work while under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol.
  1. Conviction of Certain Crimes: Pursuant to the Dental Practices Act, a licensee that is convicted of a felony or misdemeanor involving “moral turpitude” is subject to discipline if the licensee has not shown that he or she has since been rehabilitated as to warrant the public’s trust. Crimes of moral turpitude include fraud, blackmail, extortion, forgery and any violent crime.
  1. Failure to Maintain Current Information with the Board: To avoid any problems, confirm that your information is up to date with the Board. This includes making sure that licensing fees are paid and that you have met the continuing education requirements, which includes obtaining a current CPR certificate.
  1. Patient Mistreatment or Abuse: Patients, regardless of their race, ethnicity and religious beliefs, must be treated with the highest professional care. Discrimination against any patient on one of these grounds is cause for discipline.
  1. Employment of Unlicensed Professionals: A licensee needs to be responsible for his or her own behavior but also must be watchful in who they employ. Allowing an unlicensed or clearly unqualified person to engage in the practice of dentistry or dental hygiene can subject the licensee to a multitude of disciplinary measures.  Before hiring anyone, confirm that their license is in good standing and that they are qualified to practice. 

If you are facing an inquiry by the Kansas Dental Board Call the Sanger Law Office at 785-979-4353 for a free and completely confidential consultation. Your dental license is not just a piece of paper, it is your career and livelihood. Nobody understands the importance of your professional license than the Sanger Law Office. Trust our team of experienced professionals to defend your license and protect your reputation.

Defending Your Kansas Professional License: Frequently Asked Questions

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A professional license shares a lot of important characteristics with a marriage. Both require substantial effort and are expected to last forever. Learning that a complaint has been filed against your professional license however, can be just as unwelcome as an interloper’s presence in your marriage. Receiving notice from a licensing board that a licensee is being investigated for misconduct can feel like a devastating blow. Much like a spouse receiving divorce papers, most licensees do not have a plan in place to react to these issues and thus, are not prepared to handle an investigation. If you have received notice that you are being investigated, you are bound to have many questions. The most common questions licensees ask regarding the investigation process are as follows:

  • Do I need to hire an attorney?  The simple answer to this question is “no”– an attorney is not required. But then again, do you “need” your license? An experienced professional license defense attorney will not only provide you with valuable insight and assistance throughout the process, he or she will also bring to the table an unbiased opinion. An investigation can be a nerve-wracking experience for a licensee. A review board is not looking out for you and your best interests. This is where an attorney can add the most value. Specifically, the experience of an attorney in handling similar cases will not only give you peace of mind but also help you obtain the best possible outcome. An attorney will also ensure that you are making the best decision for you and your professional future and not based on current emotions.
  • What can I expect to happen? The investigation is usually the first step that a board takes when determining whether the licensee committed any wrongdoing. Depending on the board, this process can be quite lengthy and typically a licensee is not privy to any discovery that is conducted in his or her case. After the initial investigation, a board can decide that there is not enough information to proceed and close the case. A board can also choose to bring more formal charges, sometimes referred to as a “petition”. In other instances, the board may issue a fine or reprimand or even require the licensee to take rehabilitative type classes before they can resume their practice.
  • Do I need participate in the investigation? Oftentimes, licensees find themselves in a position where he or she wants to “help” the investigation. Most licensees do not realize that they do not have to participate in the process, and that many times it is in the best interests of a licensee not to participate. The investigation will proceed whether or not the licensee participates or not. Whether the licensee participates is a decision best made after a thorough discussion of the facts with the licensee’s attorney. 
  • Can I continue to practice? In many cases, a licensee can continue to practice their profession while the investigation is pending. This is usually welcome news since an investigation can take several months, or even years, to complete.

If you are being investigated by a licensing board, you have the right to be represented by counsel. Before speaking with an investigator, call the Sanger Law Office at 785-979-4353 for a free and completely confidential consultation. You can rely on the team of experienced professionals at Sanger Law Office to defend your license and protect your livelihood.