Perhaps all you have ever wanted to do is help people. You figured out that the best way for you to do that is to work in the health care field. After spending a significant amount of time, money and effort getting the education you needed, working as an intern and going through your boards, the last thing you want is to put your hard-earned license in jeopardy.
Whether you have been working in the medical field for weeks, months or years, certain actions and behaviors could cost you your livelihood. Knowing what may bring you to the attention of a Pennsylvania medical board could help you avoid ending up in trouble. Some of the following issues may seem obvious, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t worth mentioning.
Crossing the ethical line
Two of the most common ways you could cross the ethical line are through deceptive advertising and discrimination. Like other professionals, you need to be careful how you advertise your services. For instance, advertising “free” services that aren’t really free could get you into trouble. When it comes to discrimination, you must carefully word any dress codes, hiring practices and policies in order to avoid inadvertently unjustly treating an employee or patient.
Keeping your hands to yourself
More than likely, you have heard of colleagues who have complaints filed against them for sexual misconduct. You may automatically assume that an inappropriate relationship is occurring, and in some cases that may be true. However, in other cases, it could be a misunderstanding brought on by you mistakenly crossing a line. Any time you touch a patient, you need to make sure that the patient consents and that the touching is necessary to performing your duties as a medical professional.
Issues with billing
You may find yourself in hot water if your billing practices leave room for speculation of misrepresentation or fraud. For instance, if you charge insurance carriers differently from private payers, it could constitute a violation that could put your license in jeopardy. Many medical professionals have issues with billing, and it may be worthwhile to be sure that your billing practices are above board. Even if you are unaware of what your billing department does, the buck stops with you.
Issues in your personal life
Substance abuse is a serious issue in the medical field. The pressures of the job can push some into abusing alcohol or drugs in order to cope. If you find yourself in this situation, the sooner you get help, the better off you will be. If you find yourself facing DUI or other charges, it could also jeopardize your license depending on the circumstances. These are just some of the issues that could cause you to receive notification from the board.