Are you a medical professional in Pennsylvania convicted of a DUI? You likely have many questions. Is this the end of your medical career? Will the court suspend your license? Can you still practice in the state? We will answer these questions today.
Your medical license is not put in jeopardy by a DUI conviction right away. But collateral consequences can still threaten your reputation and career. Your license may end up jeopardized for related reasons.
As a medical professional, anyone convicted of a DUI is a “risk to the public”. The Department of Health has steep fines and other penalties put in place in these scenarios. They can include:
- Fines of up to $10,000
- Randomized drug and alcohol testing
- Probation or license revocation for serious crimes
- Letters of concern
- Being let go or fired
It is also common for professionals to attend recovery or counseling programs. Even if your license is not affected, this can influence the amount of work you can do until the programs are over. Some professionals may have their license suspended until they can complete the program.
Of course, the biggest risk is the one to your reputation. Medical professionals who lose the trust of their patients have trouble finding work. This can make sustaining your practice difficult.
If you are curious about professional license defense, click the link here. It will take you to our web page on medical license defense. You can read about the various impacts DUI convictions may have. You can also learn more about how other convictions can impact your medical license.