As a cardiovascular technologist or technician, you have built a career that allows you to earn a living while playing a critical role in diagnosing and treating heart conditions. You have invested time and money into your career and worked hard to earn your professional license.
Unlike many jobs, you can't just fill out an application and start working as a cardiovascular technologist or technician. You need very specialized training to do your job. Your work is not only essential to your patients but also critical to your livelihood. Your professional license is at the center of maintaining your career path.
However, with just a single allegation of wrongdoing, your entire career could wind up in jeopardy. It doesn't matter if it is because of a lapse in judgment on your part, a simple mistake, or a complete misunderstanding; an official complaint against you can set off an in-depth investigation of you and possibly lead to formal hearings that could very well cost you your professional license and waylay the career that you have invested so much time and money in building.
If you are being investigated for any kind of license violation, you will want the very best legal representation on your side to protect your professional career. Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm Professional License Defense Team have the knowledge, experience, and track record of success you'll want on your side, no matter where in the country you practice.
What Kinds of Complaints Could Cost You Your License?
The kinds of complaints that could cost you your license are varied, but one of the most common offenses is engaging in unprofessional conduct with your patients or colleagues. This could include patient abuse or neglect as well as unprofessional romantic or sexual connections with patients or coworkers. Of course, any allegations of sexual abuse will be taken very seriously.
In addition to unprofessional conduct, any kind of gross negligence or incompetence will also land you in hot water. When you're dealing with heart patients, mistakes can be life-threatening. Your competence and focus are essential.
Fraudulent practices are another common complaint that can lead to an investigation or action taken against your professional license. This includes falsifying patient records, improprieties in handling billing, or insurance fraud.
Another type of offense that can get you into trouble is a criminal conviction, even if it is unrelated to your work, or problems with alcohol or drug addiction. The more serious the conviction, the more likely it is to affect your license—felonies are especially likely to cause an investigation. Addiction problems don't even need to result in an arrest or conviction to trigger an investigation.
What Kinds of Disciplinary Actions Could I Face?
Losing your license is not the only possible outcome of an investigation and/or hearing in front of the state licensing body. The circumstances of your case will be considered when deciding the penalties for the complaint filed against you. In many cases, the alternate penalties may allow you to keep your license or at least create a path to get it reinstated.
Some of the alternatives to having your license revoked include:
- License suspension. The board may suspend your license for a specific period, after which it can be reviewed.
- License restriction. The board may limit the activities or services that you can participate in.
- Fines. The board may impose a monetary penalty.
- Continuing education. The board could require you to take continuing education courses if they believe the offense was caused by a gap in your education.
- Mandatory counseling/treatment. In cases of substance abuse or addiction, the board may allow you to keep your license on the condition of seeking substance misuse treatment.
- Probation. Probation means that the board will monitor your progress over a specified time period to ensure you meet all the requirements to keep the license active.
- Formal reprimand/censure. The board can simply put a reprimand on your record.
While these penalties are better than losing your license, they will likely be public record and could still be detrimental to your career. It would be best to work with a professional license defense attorney to work toward the best result possible in any license disciplinary case. Joseph D. Lento and his experienced Professional License Defense Team will work with you to resolve your case favorably.
What Does the Disciplinary Process Look Like?
While some of the specifics may vary from state to state, the disciplinary process for professional licensees will be fairly similar.
Most disciplinary proceedings will start with a formal complaint to the licensing board from a coworker, colleague, patient, administrator, or other person who has had some kind of contact with the licensee in question.
The complaint will be evaluated by the board to determine if it is credible and has merit—as well as if it is within the jurisdiction of the board.
At this point, the board could negotiate a consent order with you as an alternative to a full hearing if they feel the evidence is strong enough. This is a legally binding document in which you agree to be bound to whatever disciplinary action has been determined by the board. It is highly recommended that you consult an attorney before you sign a consent order.
If a consent order is not presented or signed, a formal hearing may be held before the board or Administrative Law judge, depending on the state. At this hearing, you may have an attorney present. When the hearing concludes, the board will decide on any disciplinary actions against you, up to the revocation of your professional license.
Act Quickly to Hire Professional License Defense Attorney Joseph D. Lento
An inquiry into your professional license is nothing to take lightly, so hiring the right attorney sooner rather than later gives you more time to prepare a solid defense and could help find a favorable solution early in the process, making a formal hearing unnecessary.
Don't let a misstep or mistake ruin your career. Contact the Lento Law Firm at (888) 535-3686 or online today to discuss your case and your options. Serving clients coast to coast.
