Section 246-851-450. Terms used in WAC 246-851-440 through 246-851-470.

(1) "Approved substance abuse monitoring program" or "approved monitoring program" is a program the board has determined meets the requirements of the law and the criteria established by the board in WAC 246-851-460 which enters into a contract with optometrists who have substance abuse problems regarding the required components of the optometrist's recovery activity and oversees the optometrist's compliance with these requirements. Substance abuse monitoring programs do not provide evaluation or treatment to participating optometrists.

(2) "Contract" is a comprehensive, structured agreement between the recovering optometrist and the approved monitoring program stipulating the optometrist's consent to comply with the monitoring program and its required components of the optometrist's recovery activity.

(3) "Approved treatment facility" is a facility approved by the bureau of alcohol and substance abuse, department of social and health services according to RCW 70.96A.020(2) or 69.54.030 to provide intensive alcoholism or drug treatment if located within Washington state. Drug and alcohol treatment programs located out-of-state must be equivalent to the standards required for approval under RCW 70.96A.020(2) or 69.54.030.

(4) "Substance abuse" means the impairment, as determined by the board, of an optometrist's professional services by any addiction to, a dependency on, or the use of alcohol, legend drugs, or controlled substances.

(5) "Aftercare" is that period of time after intensive treatment that provides the optometrist and the optometrist's family with group or individual counseling sessions, discussions with other families, ongoing contact and participation in self-help groups and ongoing continued support of treatment program staff.

(6) "Support group" is a group of health care professionals meeting regularly to support the recovery of its members. The group provides a confidential setting with a trained and experienced health care professional facilitator in which optometrists may safely discuss drug diversion, licensure issues, return to work and other professional issues related to recovery.

(7) "Twelve step groups" are groups such as alcoholics anonymous, narcotics anonymous and related organizations based on a philosophy of anonymity, belief in a power outside of oneself, a peer group association, and self-help.

(8) "Random drug screens" are laboratory tests to detect the presence of drugs of abuse in body fluids which are performed at irregular intervals not known in advance by the person being tested.

(9) "Health care professional" is an individual who is licensed, certified, or registered in Washington to engage in the delivery of health care to patients.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.54.070, 18.130.050 and 18.130.186. WSR 92-06-030 (Order 248B), § 246-851-450, filed 2/26/92, effective 3/28/92.]

RCW 18.54.070, 18.130.050 and 18.130.186. WSR 92-06-030 (Order 248B), § 246-851-450, filed 2/26/92, effective 3/28/92.

Rules

246-851-460,