Section 246-851-460. Approval of substance abuse monitoring programs.

The board shall approve the monitoring program(s) which shall participate in the board's substance abuse monitoring program. A monitoring program approved by the board may be contracted with an entity outside the department but within the state, out-of-state, or a separate structure within the department.

(1) The approved monitoring program shall not provide evaluation or treatment to the participating optometrists.

(2) The approved monitoring program staff shall have the qualifications and knowledge of both substance abuse and the practice of optometry as defined in this chapter to be able to evaluate:

(a) Clinical laboratories;

(b) Laboratory results;

(c) Providers of substance abuse treatment, both individuals and facilities;

(d) Support groups;

(e) The optometry work environment; and

(f) The ability of the optometrist to practice with reasonable skill and safety.

(3) The approved monitoring program shall enter into a contract with the optometrist and the board to oversee the optometrist's compliance with the requirements of the program.

(4) The approved monitoring program may make exceptions to individual components of the contract on an individual basis.

(5) The approved monitoring program staff shall determine, on an individual basis, whether an optometrist will be prohibited from engaging in the practice of optometry for a period of time and what restrictions, if any, are placed on the optometrist's practice.

(6) The approved monitoring program shall maintain records on participants.

(7) The approved monitoring program shall be responsible for providing feedback to the optometrist as to whether treatment progress is acceptable.

(8) The approved monitoring program shall report to the board any optometrist who fails to comply with the requirement of the monitoring program.

(9) The approved monitoring program shall receive from the board guidelines on treatment, monitoring, and limitations on the practice of optometry for those participating in the program.

[Statutory Authority: RCW 18.54.070, 18.130.050 and 18.130.186. WSR 92-06-030 (Order 248B), § 246-851-460, 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), § 246-851-460, filed 2/26/92, effective 3/28/92.