Healthcare professionals may have an employer with whom they do not get along well. In some instances, the situation can get extremely ugly, and the employer may wish to push the employee out of practice. In some instances, the employer may claim that the employee has done something unprofessional or violated their license. The employer […]
Becoming a licensed social worker can be a challenge and a blessing. As a profession, licensed social workers are uniquely poised to do good in every situation. They embody the idea they will not harm, not only their clients but to the public at large and their profession. The idea of obtaining a license […]
Acting as one’s own attorney appears to be an effective manner to save money when facing professional licensing discipline. Many people reason that no one but themselves could represent their best interests. The license is theirs, and they will fight to the bitter end to prove that they are right. Frequently the self-represented person wants […]
Developing effective strategies for defending against allegations of professional licensing misconduct begins with a thorough analysis of the facts and circumstances. Without a comprehensive understanding of the claims and the factual underpinnings for them, then there is no practical method of devising a winning defense strategy. Understanding all of the facts after conducting a complete […]
A recent report appearing in the Kansas City Star is troubling on many levels. The report details allegations filed in a lawsuit in which a medical assistant who worked at a medical facility suffered sexual harassment at the hands of a physician employed by the practice. The allegations contained in the complaint, if proven true, […]
The state of Missouri recognizes that a fiduciary duty exists on behalf of the physician or another medical professional, including psychologists, to maintain confidentiality of the patient’s records. However, as with all jurisdictions, Missouri recognizes a common law exception to the presumption that all communications are privileged when the privilege holder, that is the patient, […]
Patients expect that their conversations with psychologists, psychiatrists, and doctors would be privileged, and not merely confidential. A privileged communication in Kansas is one in which the psychologist cannot disclose except in very limited circumstances under Kansas law. Disclosure of privileged communication is grounds for disciplinary action. Therefore, the psychologist must understand the nature of […]
News that a 35-year-old nurse working in the United Kingdom (U.K.) died by her own hand after working twelve-hour shifts following a promotion shocked and dismayed her coworkers. Sadly, the state of muring in the U.S. is very similar. Nurses work extraordinarily hard and are taking on more and more stress as medical resources are […]
Stress is a normal reaction to certain situations. Stress actually benefits us as humans in the long run. Our fight or flight stress response helps keep us alive. Additionally, experiencing stress in certain circumstances like when taking an exam in school, planning a wedding, or focusing on a project at work helps us focus and […]
You have a right as a party aggrieved by a decision rendered by the Missouri Administrative Hearings Commission, or AHC, to a judge sitting in a Missouri Circuit Court. Appealing to a judge is not done automatically. You must preserve your right to appeal, and you will lose out entirely if you fail to take […]