Alabama Administrative Code › Title 930 - ALABAMA STATE BOARD OF VETERINARY MEDICINE › Chapter 930-X-1 - GENERAL RULES › Section 930-X-1-.34 - Alabama Veterinary Professionals Wellness Committee

Current through Register Vol. 42, No. 9, June 28, 2024
(1) Under the provision of Act 2000-453 of
			 the 2000 Regular Session of the Alabama Legislature, the Alabama Board of
			 Veterinary Medical Examiners shall have the duty and obligation to promote
			 early identification, intervention, treatment and rehabilitation of
			 veterinarians and licensed veterinary technicians impaired by reason of
			 illness, inebriation, excessive use of drugs, narcotics, alcohol, chemicals, or
			 other substances, or as a result of any physical or mental condition.
(2) In order to carry out this obligation,
			 the Board hereby establishes the Alabama Veterinary Professionals Wellness
			 Committee. The purpose of the committee is to develop, maintain and make
			 available to all licensed veterinarians and licensed veterinary technicians, a
			 program to render assistance to impaired veterinarians and licensed veterinary
			 technicians who voluntarily or involuntarily seek medical intervention,
			 treatment and rehabilitation for their impairment. The committee shall consist
			 of not less than nine (9), nor more than fifteen (15) veterinarians or licensed
			 veterinary technicians licensed to practice in Alabama. The members of the
			 committee will be appointed by the Board, from a list of candidates submitted
			 by the Alabama Veterinary Medical Association. The members of the committee
			 will be eligible for reappointment. The committee initially will consist of 1/3
			 of the members to serve a one (1) year term, 1/3 of the members to serve a two
			 (2) year term, and 1/3 of the members to serve a three (3) year term.
			 Subsequent to the initial appointment procedure, appointments will be made for
			 three (3) years. Appointments made for vacant positions will be appointed for
			 the remainder of that term. Members cannot serve more than nine (9) consecutive
			 years.
(3) The Board is authorized
			 under the provisions of Act 2000-453 to contract with any non-profit
			 corporation or medical professional association for the creation, support, and
			 maintenance of the Alabama Veterinary Professionals Wellness
			 Committee.
(4) The Board of
			 Veterinary Medical Examiners may enter into an agreement with a nonprofit
			 corporation or medical professional association for the Alabama Veterinary
			 Professionals Wellness Committee to undertake those functions and
			 responsibilities specified in the agreement which may include any or all of the
			 following:
(a) Contracting with providers of
			 treatment programs.
(b) Receiving
			 and evaluating reports of suspected impairment from any source.
(c) Intervening in cases of verified
			 impairment.
(d) Referring impaired
			 veterinarians and licensed veterinary technicians to treatment
			 programs.
(e) Monitoring the
			 treatment and rehabilitation of impaired veterinarians and licensed veterinary
			 technicians.
(f) Providing
			 post-treatment monitoring and support of rehabilitated impaired veterinarians
			 and licensed veterinary technicians.
(g) Performing other activities as agreed by
			 the Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners and the Alabama Veterinary
			 Professionals Wellness Committee.