Published Dec 8, 2011
elgin1962
12 Posts
Has anyone here had the experience of being investigated by the board after your employer files a complaint then neither the former supervisor and head of HR both refuse to answer questions and return phone calls to the PhD evaluator doing your psych eval? I have maintained my innocence from the beginning and face the possibility of a severe reprimand, 2 years of probation, random DSUA, weekly CODA meetings, etc. All objective testing has resulted in no evidence of drug abuse, these recommendations are made entirely due to the examiners personal feelings. He even told me, "I'm just not sure whether or not you're an addict but you should consider stopping all habit-forming medications if you want to keep your license, would you be willing to do that?" I don't regularly take habit forming meds and when I have, I am at home, sick in bed with a migraine.
I'm at the phase of the investigation where I've received a stipulated order, haven't been able to work for 5 months and was denied unemployment benefits. My former employer terminated me for symptoms I displayed due to a medical condition but instead was accused of being impaired and intoxicated and now am being treated like an addict in denial. The evaluator spent over 20 minutes online googling my medication and my medical condition after I pointed out about half a dozen presumptions he made which were wrong. For instance he incorrectly assumed I did something to alter the DSUA to make it negative for amphetamines because he did not know the medication I take isn't an amphetamine at all. He never bothered to do fact-checking of any of this before writing the eval and recommendations. I watched him google information in front of me while he re-wrote his report. He didnt even know what one of my meds were that's been around for over 30 years and I had to tell him the composition of the medication. In spite of these last minute major changes he refused to change his recommendations and I refused to sign a
release to give this report to the board til I speak with my lawyer.
There is no such thing as innocent until proven guilty if you're a nurse, is there?
backtowork
146 Posts
You are so wise to get a lawyer before you agree to anything..fist thing my lawyer told me is that I was not going to ANY of the "board approved addictionologists". He spent a lot of time getting the board to approve another evaluator and it was well worth the money. I ended up with just a year of minor stips as opposed to the usual Texas 2 years with narc restrictions. Hold to your guns, do not be railroaded, and please don't give up. If it were not for my real life support friends and family as well as all the cyber support I have received in this forum..I would not have a license today..Stay strong, and stay true. I am pulling for you
Thanks for the words of wisdom and support. My lawyer seem intimidated by the board. Being too aggressive can be counterproductive but I believe this recent development of their witnesses backing down could justify a request to dismiss the complaint altogether. I am also checking if there is a conflict of interest because of the psychologist's affiliation with the very hospital I was terminated from. His office is across the street and he is aware they are afraid of getting hit with a lawsuit for wrongful discharge.This is due to discrimination R/T my medical condition which qualifies as a disability.