As a Pennsylvania licensed health care worker, you need to take extra care to avoid legal trouble and keep your medical license intact. Drug- or alcohol-related infractions have the potential to lead to serious legal trouble. They may, too, lead to the loss of your medical license, but you may have some degree of control over this following an alcohol or drug arrest.
Per the Pennsylvania Department of State, depending on circumstances, you may be able to enroll in a Voluntary Recovery Program (VRP). The program is administered by the Professional Health Monitoring Programs as an alternative to potentially losing your right to practice. Who is eligible for this program, and what does it entail?
VRP program eligibility
You may be able to enroll in Pennsylvania’s VRP if you hold a valid state medical license and make an agreement with the licensing board that lasts at least three years. The agreement dictates that, as long as you abide by the terms of the VRP program and make progress within it, the state defers any suspension or revocation of your medical license. The program also offers you some degree of privacy. If you complete it successfully, your participation in it does not become public.
VRP program details
During your at least three-year stint in the program, you must avoid using alcohol or drugs. You also have to submit to periodic urine screenings. Furthermore, you must participate in substance abuse counseling and attend regular Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous meetings, among other compliance requirements.
Before you speak to anyone at the Licensing Board about the VRP program, you should consult attorney Brian Quinn about whether this program is suitable for you.