Section 246-840-780. Participants entering the approved substance abuse monitoring program must agree to the following conditions.

(1)(a) The nurse shall undergo a complete physical and psychosocial evaluation before entering the approved monitoring program. This evaluation will be performed by health care professional(s) with expertise in chemical dependency. The person(s) performing the evaluation shall not also be the provider of the recommended treatment.

(b) The nurse shall enter into a contract with the commission and the approved substance abuse monitoring program to comply with the requirements of the program which shall include, but not be limited to:

(i) The nurse will undergo intensive substance abuse treatment in an approved treatment facility.

(ii) The nurse will agree to remain free of all mind-altering substances including alcohol except for medications prescribed by an authorized prescriber, as defined in RCW 69.41.030 and 69.50.101.

(iii) The nurse must complete the prescribed aftercare, which may include individual and/or group psychotherapy.

(iv) The nurse must cause the treatment counselor(s) to provide reports to the approved monitoring program at specified intervals. Reports shall include treatment prognosis and goals.

(v) The nurse will submit to random drug screening as specified by the approved monitoring program.

(vi) The nurse will attend nurses' support groups facilitated by a nurse and/or twelve-step group meetings as specified by the contract.

(vii) The nurse will comply with specified employment conditions and restrictions as defined by the contract.

(viii) The nurse shall sign a waiver allowing the approved monitoring program to release information to the commission if the nurse does not comply with the requirements of this contract.

(c) The nurse is responsible for paying the costs of the physical and psychosocial evaluation, substance abuse treatment, and random drug screens.

(d) The nurse may be subject to disciplinary action under RCW 18.130.160 if the nurse does not participate in the approved monitoring program, does not comply with specified employment restrictions, or does not successfully complete the program.

(2) A nurse who is not being investigated by the commission or subject to current disciplinary action or currently being monitored by the commission for substance abuse may voluntarily participate in the approved substance abuse monitoring program without being referred by the commission.

(a) The nurse shall undergo a complete physical and psychosocial evaluation before entering the approved monitoring program. This evaluation will be performed by health care professional(s) with expertise in chemical dependency. The person(s) performing the evaluation shall not also be the provider of the recommended treatment.

(b) The nurse shall enter into a contract with the approved substance abuse monitoring program to comply with the requirements of the program which shall include, but not be limited to:

(i) The nurse will undergo intensive substance abuse treatment in an approved treatment facility.

(ii) The nurse will agree to remain free of all mind-altering substances including alcohol except for medications prescribed by an authorized prescriber as defined in RCW 69.41.030 and 69.50.101.

(iii) The nurse must complete the prescribed aftercare program of the intensive treatment facility, which may include individual and/or group psychotherapy.

(iv) The nurse must cause the treatment counselor(s) to provide reports to the approved monitoring program at specified intervals. Reports shall include treatment prognosis and goals.

(v) The nurse will submit to random drug screening as specified by the approved monitoring program.

(vi) The nurse will attend nurses' support groups facilitated by a nurse and/or twelve-step group meetings as specified by the contract.

(vii) The nurse will comply with employment conditions and restrictions as defined by the contract.

(viii) The nurse shall sign a waiver allowing the approved monitoring program to release information to the commission if the nurse does not comply with the requirements of this contract.

(c) The nurse is responsible for paying the costs of the physical and psychosocial evaluation, substance abuse treatment and random drug screens.

(3) The treatment and pretreatment records of license holders referred to or voluntarily participating in approved monitoring programs shall be confidential, shall be exempt from RCW 42.17.250 through 42.17.450, and shall not be subject to discovery by subpoena or admissible as evidence except for monitoring records reported to the disciplinary authority for cause as defined in subsections (1) and (2) of this section. Records held by the commission under this section shall be exempt from RCW 42.17.250 through 42.17.450 and shall not be subject to discovery by subpoena except by the license holder.

[Statutory Authority: Chapter 18.79 RCW. WSR 97-13-100, § 246-840-780, filed 6/18/97, effective 7/19/97.]

Chapter 18.79 RCW. WSR 97-13-100, § 246-840-780, filed 6/18/97, effective 7/19/97.