Is Your Medical License Under Threat?
Becoming a physician requires years and years of dedication and hard work. That's why many refer to it as a calling rather than an occupation. The men and women who worked so hard to add the coveted M.D. after their names did so because they sought the honor and privilege of healing people, as well as a career with high earning potential. If you are a licensed physician in the state of New Jersey who is facing allegations from the State Board of Medical Examiners, however, your career and the fulfillment you feel because of it may be on the line.
It's not easy to be a physician in today's healthcare industry. Many doctors feel the burden of long hours and high expectations – and even the World Health Organization is sounding the alarm about the consequences of physician burnout. If you are facing potential disciplinary actions, you are likely anxious about the consequences you may face. You've put in the time and effort to build your knowledge, skills, and professionalism on the job. And, as you start to consider how to respond to the State Board of Medical Examiner's investigation into your conduct, on or off the job, you may not know exactly where to begin – or who to trust – as you work to protect your license and your future.
Any time a professional license is under threat, it should be of great concern. Your livelihood, after all, is on the line. But doctors, given the incredible responsibilities they undertake in their profession, may face specific challenges as they work to maintain their reputation and career. You don't have to go it alone. The Lento Law Firm's Professional License Defense Team can help you protect everything you've worked so hard to achieve. They have the skills and experience to evaluate your case, advise you of the best course of action, and mount a strong defense in the face of any New Jersey medical license disciplinary proceedings. The Lento Law Firm has represented physicians in large cities like Jersey City and Newark, as well as in less populated areas, including Princeton, Trenton, and Toms River.
If you have been notified of a complaint by the New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners, it is imperative to put your best foot forward. Call (888) 535-3686 or go online to discuss your case – and retain the experienced legal counsel you need so your case can come to the best possible outcome.
New Jersey State Board of Medical Board Licensing Proceedings
Given your experience and status as a physician – and the current clinician shortage – it would be all too easy to think that the New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners would be foolish to suspend or revoke your medical license. But as the government body responsible for "protecting the public's health and safety by determining qualifications for licensure, establishing standards for practice, and disciplining licensees who do not adhere to those requirements," they take every complaint about the state's physicians and podiatrists very seriously. Each one will be investigated and, if found credible, can result in specific consequences. While those consequences depend on the nature and severity of a particular violation, they can and often do include the suspension or revocation of your medical license. But even if your license remains intact, any disciplinary action brought against you will become part of the public record.
The New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners not only maintains an online database where you can verify the license of practicing physicians in the state, but it also publishes a list of all disciplinary actions. Visitors to the website, which can include patients, employers, potential employers, and other interested parties, can find details of any allegation, the results of the investigation, and any consequences with just a few clicks.
It is important to realize that the New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners takes its job of governing medical practice very seriously. They will not hesitate to discipline any physician who has been found to have committed professional misconduct. The suspension or loss of your license can impact your ability to work in your field – and support your family. Physicians who have been disciplined by the Board of Medical Examiners are likely to face considerable challenges if found guilty of misconduct or other license-threatening allegations.
That's why if you are a licensed physician practicing in Hoboken, Hackensack, Montclair, Atlantic City, or anywhere else in the state facing disciplinary action from the State Board of Medical Examiners, it is vital that you retain the Lento Law Firm's renowned Professional License Defense Team to help you develop a thoughtful and effective defense.
New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners Statutes and Regulations
Every state has its own laws, rules, and standards that govern licensed professionals. The New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners is responsible for overseeing all licensed physicians and podiatrists in the state, from Rahway to Passaic. They are also responsible for the oversight of other types of healthcare professionals in the state. Any person can make a complaint about a physician or podiatrist on the Board of Medical Examiners' website. It's important to note that it does not have to be a patient or employer. When the Board receives a complaint, it is duty-bound to investigate the alleged wrongdoing, prosecute the matter if found credible, and resolve matters using the statutory authority granted by the laws of New Jersey.
When you applied for your medical license in New Jersey, you were asked to learn about the state's specific statutes and regulations regarding medical practice. It is important that you keep up with these rules and standards as they will provide the policies and procedures to support any disciplinary action – and the consequences you may face as a result of them. That said, there's a reason why you went into medicine and not into law. Some of these statutes can be confusing. It is yet another reason why you should retain an experienced professional license defense team. The Lento Law Firm can help you better understand your rights, your options, and how to fight back against unwarranted allegations. The Lento Law Firm's Professional License Defense Team has the knowledge and skills necessary to mount a strong, effective defense even in more complex cases. They will ensure you have the best chance to defend yourself against any charges while maintaining your professional standing.
Be Confident in Your Medical License Defense
As a physician, you are no stranger to surprising and sometimes complex medical cases. You were trained to expect the unexpected – and provide the highest quality care in every situation, no matter what. But disciplinary actions can have a way of shaking your confidence. But this is not the time to doubt your abilities. You will need every ounce of your confidence to defend yourself against potential allegations and come out the other side of a disciplinary investigation with your license and reputation intact. When you engage experienced defense counsel, you can keep your confidence high, knowing you are devising a strategic and effective defense to protect your name and your livelihood.
Your choice of defense counsel in these situations can make all the difference to the outcome. You want to choose someone who has great experience in professional license defense and has worked with physicians across the state. That will guarantee your best chance of success. When you retain the Lento Law Firm's top-tier Professional License Defense Team, you can rest easy. They will answer your questions, explain your rights, advise you on your options, and help you develop a strong defense to fight disciplinary charges every step of the way. While your first inclination may be to ignore the charges or try to answer them yourself, the Lento Law Firm's Professional License Defense Team has the knowledge and experience to help you come up with the strongest possible defense – and resolve the matter in the best possible manner.
The Value of a New Jersey Physician's License
Think about the time, money, and resources you have put in to help you become a licensed physician. While you could likely come up with a number if you had to, the reality is your sweat and tears really are priceless. This is why it's so important to defend yourself against any disciplinary actions undertaken by the New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners. Your license is more than a piece of paper. It is essential to your practice – and your ability to provide for yourself and your family.
Something so invaluable is worth protecting. While it will take time, effort, and resources to mount a strong defense against any allegations, they will, like the time, effort, and resources you spent getting your medical degree and passing the United States Medical Licensing Examination, pay off in the end. You cannot continue to provide the highest quality care to your patients without a license. You cannot continue in your chosen vocation. To continue to help others and make a difference in their lives, you must protect your career and your professional reputation. Your license plays a key role in supporting your personal, professional, and financial goals. It is for all these reasons that you need to invest in the best defense possible.
You became a physician for a reason – and you invested heavily to achieve your goals. Protect that investment and continue in an incredibly fulfilling and lucrative career by retaining the Lento Law Firm's Professional License Defense Team today.
Understanding New Jersey Physician License Disciplinary Charges
Upon receiving notification about a pending investigation by the New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners, you may be confused, scared, or even angry. It's important to understand that an investigation, and any related disciplinary charges, may not mean you did something wrong or that you will definitely lose your license.
Disciplinary charges are allegations of misconduct. The notification you received does not mean the Board has decided that you are automatically guilty. After all, every story has two sides – and you have the right to present your own perspective on the matter. The New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners presented you with the initial notification of any charges against you so you can gather the evidence and information to present a defense that will exonerate you or, perhaps, mitigate any potential penalties you may receive. When you engage the Lento Law Firm Professional License Defense Team, you will have the support required to collect the right evidence to defend yourself. It can make all the difference to the outcome, absolving you of any wrongdoing or lessening the impact any charge might have on your future.
Providing a Strong Defense to the State Board of Medical Examiners
Anyone, regardless of standing or location, can make a complaint against a physician or podiatrist in the state of New Jersey. The New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners takes each and every complaint seriously – and gives it the attention it deserves. That said, Board officials also understand that sometimes complaints may arise out of a misunderstanding or outright anger. The vast majority of physicians in the state of New Jersey are above reproach. They provide high-quality, compassionate care to their patients. That's why it's so important you take the opportunity to address any complaint during the Board's investigation – to clear up the situation. The Lento Law Firm's experienced Professional License Defense Team can help ensure that story includes the most pertinent information and can help you protect your license, no matter the charges.
Medical Board Proceedings Are Not a Court of Law
If you are a fan of legal procedurals on television, you likely have some knowledge about criminal and civil court proceedings. When you received the notification of the complaint, you may have even said, "Innocent until proven guilty" to yourself as you read it. But licensing board administrative proceedings are not a court of law. While they may share some of the same policies and procedures used in criminal and civil courts, they have their own way of doing things.
First and foremost, most disciplinary charges issued by the New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners will never go to court. Most will never even go to a hearing. While there may be some complaints that warrant criminal charges, for the most part, administrative proceedings don't start in court – nor do they follow the same timeline or procedures. The investigations and hearings that do arise from a New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners complaint are likely to be less formal than typical legal processes. The consequences are different, too. Your physician license is the biggest thing at risk.
That said, the New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners does offer physicians due process. They will allow you to answer any charges, provide evidence, and defend yourself at an administrative hearing. Every step of the way, you only benefit from retaining knowledgeable legal counsel. They can guide you to the best possible outcome, no matter the circumstances.
Common Allegations that May Put a New Jersey Physician License at Risk
To obtain and maintain a medical license in the state of New Jersey, it is expected that physicians will abide by the statutes and regulations governing medical practice. If those rules are not followed, physicians can face serious consequences. Some common issues that may put a physician's license at risk include:
- Unprofessional conduct
- Gross negligence or incompetence that puts patient safety at risk
- Patient abuse or neglect
- Theft or fraud
- Mental illness or substance abuse
- Practicing without a license or outside the bounds of a medical license
- Violating probation
- Criminal convictions that may impact the practice of medicine
- Sexual harassment or abuse
- Inappropriate prescribing of opioids or other controlled substances
The New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners is focused on medical practice. As such, they do not respond to allegations involving billing or fee disputes with patients. They also do not govern general business practices that may come under scrutiny.
The Disciplinary Process, At a Glance
Once again, the Fourteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution requires that the state of New Jersey – as well as the Board of Medical Examiners – give any licensed physician due process if a complaint is filed.
When the Board receives a complaint and it is deemed credible, the body has the authority to investigate, hold hearings, and, when appropriate, impose disciplinary sanctions. Those sanctions could include the suspension or revocation of your medical license. They could, depending on the situation, include fines, continuing education requirements, or medical treatment.
But, in any case, the New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners must provide you with notice of any charges and pending investigations. They must also offer you the opportunity to answer those charges, including a hearing where you can defend yourself.
The guarantee of due process can help you to protect your license and your livelihood – and there are many opportunities, during any disciplinary action, to provide evidence in your defense. The Lento Law Firm's premier Professional License Defense Team can advise you on those opportunities – and help ensure your rights are protected every step of the way.
The disciplinary process begins when the New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners receives a formal complaint about one of its licensees. Anyone who feels that a doctor has acted inappropriately can make a complaint – it could be a patient, an insurance company, a colleague, a nurse, or even a family member. Once that complaint is received, the Board will review it to see whether or not it is credible – and whether or not it falls within the Board's purview. Once it is deemed credible, the physician in question will be notified, the matter becomes public record, and a deeper investigation begins. That investigation may lead to an administrative hearing – and any consequence will become part of the physician's permanent record. Any future employer or patient will be able to access it.
If you receive notice of a complaint against you, every second counts. Contact the Lento Law Firm at (888) 535-3686 or go online to discuss your case – and gather the necessary information to exonerate you before any charges become part of your permanent record.
Potential Consequences of an Allegation
If found guilty of wrongdoing, the New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners can impose several types of consequences. The length and severity of the disciplinary action depends on the circumstances. The actions that the Board may take include:
- License suspension or revocation
- Voluntary surrender of a license
- Fines or restitution
- Mandatory education or training
- Medical treatment
- License probation
- Citations
If the investigation into wrongdoing gets to this point, having an experienced Professional License Defense attorney can help you negotiate lesser consequences – and protect your license or ability to get your license back in the future. The Lento Law Firm can also help you petition the New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners to reconsider any decisions regarding your license.
Areas We Serve in New Jersey
The Professional License Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm has experience representing physician clients throughout the state of New Jersey, including:
- Jersey City
- Hoboken
- Trenton
- Newark
- Atlantic City
- Princeton
- Paterson
- Plainfield
- Piscataway
- Hackensack
- East Orange
We can represent physicians who worked at RWJBarnabas Health, Jersey City Medical Center, Cooper University Hospital, Hackensack Meridian Health, or any other hospital or health system in the state.
Protect Your License – and Your Future
Your professional medical license represents your years of hard work and fortitude. If it is under threat because of allegations of wrongdoing, the time to act is now. Regardless of your specialty or area of practice, the Lento Law Firm's Professional License Defense Team is here to help. Given the resources the New Jersey State Board of Medical Examiners has at its disposal to investigate and prosecute physician complaints, it's up to you to even the odds. Having an experienced attorney to help you mount a strong defense is your best bet to obtaining a positive outcome.
Put your trust in the Lento Law Firm's Professional License Defense Team. With unparalleled knowledge and experience, they will fight for you and your professional license – so you can continue to work in your chosen field. Call (888) 535-3686 or reach out to us online today.
