Kansas and Missouri Professional Licensing Attorney Danielle Sanger: What to Do if You Are Confronted About Misconduct

Whether you are a doctor, a nurse, a pharmacist, or physical therapist, your license is one of your most important possessions and is critical to your livelihood. While it took you years to attain your license, it can be taken from you in an instant because of a simple mistake or lapse of judgment.

As an experienced licensing attorney, clients often ask what to do if they are confronted with allegations of misconduct or are being investigated. Before I get into those individual ways, I must stress that if you find yourself being investigated, there is no time to waste, contact a professional licensing attorney immediately. The following are the five of the most commonly seen ways that medical professionals lose their licenses

As a medical professional, you are accustomed to being trusted and listened to.  So when an investigation into your conduct is initiated, it can be difficult to know how to respond to people questioning your credibility and judgment. Remember, because this is not a criminal investigation, no one is going to read you your Miranda warning even though everything you say can be used against you later.

What Should You Do if You are Confronted About Misconduct?

You could be confronted at work regarding misconduct for many reasons.  Again, remember that anything you say will be used against you later and that you are unlikely to be able to “talk your way out of” the allegations against you. That initial confrontation will likely catch you by surprise, and in that emotional state you are unlikely to do much to help your defense. Be polite, but request to speak with an attorney before making any statement regarding the allegations against you or providing any urine or hair samples. Your employer or human resources may try to reassure you by stating that your statements will be held confidentially, but that promise—even if it is true—does not mean that they cannot take employment action based on those statements.

What Should You Do if You are Arrested in the Workplace?

Obviously being arrested for a criminal matter in the workplace is a serious matter and you will need criminal representation immediately. Even a minor criminal conviction can have serious impacts on your professional licensing. You will likely be obligated to report your conviction to your licensing board, either immediately or upon renewal.  Do not try to get away with omitting your conviction. Lying about a conviction is often held to be more serious than the conviction itself. That said, if you are convicted and disclose it, you may be subjected to disciplinary action. You will need an experienced licensing attorney who has appeared before administrative boards to represent you.  Attorney Sanger has exactly that sort of experience and can best position you to avoid a suspension or loss of license.

What Should You Say to an Investigator?

When investigators contact you, be polite and ask to speak to your attorney prior to making any statement.  While an investigator may make you feel like you should help them or that being cooperative will better your predicament, these are just techniques aimed at procuring a statement from you. Once you have retained counsel, your counsel may make a statement on your behalf or help you prepare for an official interview.

Obtain Legal Help Now

If you are a medical professional in Kansas or Missouri and are facing an investigation or threat to your license, call Danielle Sanger today.

Kansas and Missouri professional licensing attorney Danielle Sanger is prepared to advocate for your best interests and defend your livelihood and career. Call Attorney Sanger today at 785-979-4353 to schedule a free consultation with an experienced and aggressive attorney for medical professionals.

 

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