INTRODUCTION

 

Welcome to The University of Oklahoma College of Medicine - Tulsa!  We are pleased you chose to continue your medical education in our residency program, and we are confident your experiences with us will prove to be mutually satisfying.

 

You are obligated to be familiar with and abide by the policies and regulations presented in this handbook. This handbook is not intended to create any contractual rights in favor of the resident or the university. The State of Oklahoma and the University of Oklahoma are at-will employers.  An employment relationship may be terminated at the will of the employee as well as by the employer.  While policies and procedures have been established to provide guidance for university administrators and residents, the policies herein shall not be construed to limit or abrogate the rights of the University of Oklahoma or its residents under the employment-at-will relationship.

 

 

VERY IMPORTANT

 

All resident physicians new to The University of Oklahoma College of Medicine - Tulsa (OUCM-T) must contact the Resident and Student Affairs Office immediately upon arrival in Tulsa and before reporting to a hospital or performing any official duties.  Resident physicians cannot participate in patient care experiences until their professional liability insurance is in effect and a special license or a full medical license has been issued by the Oklahoma State Board of Medical Licensure & Supervision or the Oklahoma State Board of Osteopathic Examiners.

 

The statements, terms and provisions contained in the Resident Handbook are subject to change at any time by the Board of Regents and/or the administration of The University of Oklahoma, which expressly reserves the right to make any changes or to establish new policies, rules and regulations from time to time as it deems necessary and proper.  The establishment of new policies, rules and regulations will be expressly for the purpose of improving the quality of the resident's experience in his or her training program.

 

Residents will be paid as indicated in the OUCM-T residency agreement (contract).  Any salary increase approved by the Tulsa Medical Education Foundation (TMEF) effective after the date of the contract will be automatically reflected in paychecks without reissue of the contract.

 

While the University expects to receive the full funds necessary to support the budget, it reserves at all times the right to institute budget reduction actions in accordance with state law, including changes in salaries and/or fringe benefits.

 

 

DEFINITION OF TERMS

 

Residents

Residents are M.D. or D.O. (graduate) physicians holding appointments to Emergency Medicine, Family Practice, Family Practice – Rural, Internal Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynecology, Pediatrics, Psychiatry, Surgery, or the combined Family Practice/Psychiatry and Internal Medicine/Pediatrics or the Sports Medicine fellowship graduate medical education programs at OUCM-T.

 

Program Directors

       Program Directors are full-time faculty members at OUCM-T with the responsibility for graduate medical education at OUCM-T.

 

Residency Appointments

 

Eligibility Criteria:

Applicants for graduate medical education programs sponsored by the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine and its clinical departments are eligible for appointment if they meet one of the following qualifications:

 

Graduates of medical schools in the United States and Canada accredited by the Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) who have passed the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) Step 1 and Step 2-CK and Step 2-CS examinations in 3 or fewer attempts per step.

 

Graduates of colleges of osteopathic medicine in the United States accredited by the American Osteopathic Association (AOA) who have passed COMLEX-USA Level 1 and Level 2 and Level 2-PE examinations in 3 or fewer attempts per step.

 

 

Graduates of medical schools outside the United States and Canada who meet each of the following qualifications:

 

a.     Hold a currently valid standard certificate from the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG), the requirements for which include passing Step 1, Step 2-CK and Step 2-CS of the USMLE in 3 or fewer attempts per step.

 

b.   Are citizens of the United States or hold either a J-1 Visa or a permanent immigrant Visa (“green card”).  Applicants holding an H1-B Visa will be considered only under extraordinary circumstances and only on the approval of the Associate Dean for Academic Services.

 

c.    Hold a currently valid Social Security Number as evidenced by an official Social Security Card.

 

 

Note:  Foreign nationals who are graduates of medical schools in the United States and Canada are not considered foreign medical graduates and do not require ECFMG sponsorship.  They must have a Social Security Number.

 

 

Selection Criteria

 

First-year (PGY1) appointments offered to U.S. graduating seniors will be selected through an organized matching program, known as the National Resident Matching Program (NRMP).  All residency programs require applicants to apply through the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS).  First-year residency positions offered to candidates other than U.S. graduating seniors will also be selected through the NRMP except in special circumstances in compliance with NRMP’s policies.

 

Allopathic (M.D.) applicants for first-year positions must have passed Step 1 and Step 2-CK and Step 2-CS of the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE) in 3 or fewer attempts per step.  Osteopathic (D.O.) applicants must have passed Level 1 and Level 2 and Level 2-PE of the COMLEX-USA examination.  Individuals who do not meet these requirements will not be considered for first-year residency appointments.

 

Appointments for second-year and above levels are made in accordance with the policies established by each program in compliance with the standards of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME), its Residency Review Committees (RRC), and the requirements of the respective American specialty certification boards.

 

The PGY level of the initial appointment is determined in part by the amount of previously completed graduate medical education that is acceptable for credit by the specialty board of the training program to which the resident is appointed.  Whenever there is uncertainty in this regard, the applicant shall obtain from the specialty board a written appraisal of previous training and a statement of additional training requirements that must be met to qualify the resident for certification by that board.

 

All residents with the M.D. degree must have passed Step 3 of the USMLE examination by the end of their second year (PGY2) of residency training.  All residents with the D.O. degree must pass Level 3 of the COMLEX-USA examination and be licensed by the Oklahoma State Board of Osteopathic Examiners before proceeding beyond the first year of residency.  Any resident who fails to pass the requisite examinations as stipulated above will be terminated from his/her residency program at the end of the applicable resident year.

 

An individual considered initially for any clinical training position at the PGY2 or above level must have passed all licensure examination steps and be capable of being licensed by either the allopathic or osteopathic licensing boards of the State of Oklahoma or already possess such license.

 

Residency appointments for graduates of International Medical Schools (IMGs) may be offered only to those individuals who meet all requirements of federal and state laws applicable to such appointments including visa requirements.  They must hold a currently valid standard certificate from the ECMFG.  Foreign physicians admitted to the United States for graduate medical education training under the authority of the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine – Tulsa must hold either a J-1 Visa, under the sponsorship of the ECFMG, or a permanent immigrant visa (“green card”) or a H1-B Visa under extraordinary circumstances with approval of the Associate Dean for Academic Services.  All residents regardless of medical school or country of origin must hold a currently valid Social Security Number as evidenced by an official Social Security Card.

 

It is the responsibility of the applicant to complete all ECFMG requirements and visa requirements before appointment to a residency position and/or before beginning residency training.

 

Residents are appointed for a period of one year (or as specified in the individual contract) but in any event not beyond June 30th.  Renewal of the appointment is contingent upon satisfactory performance and is not automatic.  Intention by either party not to renew the appointment should be accompanied by notification in writing within the time specified by the Residency Program Director and as indicated on the residency agreement (contract).

 

Each resident and fellow offered an appointment is expected to read, sign, and abide by the residency agreement (contract).

 

In general, the level of resident pay will coincide with the level of appointment.  It will be left to the discretion of the Residency Program Director to recognize prior training within the same specialty by contracting and arranging for payment at a level above the level of appointment.

 

Each resident or fellow offered an appointment must prove to be eligible for professional liability insurance coverage by the carrier contracted by the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine.  The contract offered to any resident or fellow who is ultimately denied coverage by the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine professional liability insurance carrier will be null and void.

 

 

Not withstanding the above provisions, appointments are subject to the provisions of the Administrative Academic Actions chapter of this Handbook.


ADMINISTRATIVE PROCEDURES

AND RESPONSIBILITIES

 

New Resident Procedures

 

The following administrative procedures must be initiated and/or completed prior to assuming any duties as a resident at OUCM-T.  All procedures will be discussed during the mandatory orientation.

 

Issuance of contract

 

Malpractice insurance application

 

Medical, dental and other insurance forms

 

W-4, loyalty oath and other employment-related forms

 

Professional membership applications

 

Personal information form

 

Issuance of pager equipment

 

Name tag and OUCM-T picture identification card

 

Parking decals for OUCM-T campus and hospitals

 

Application for special training license

 

State licensure application (PGY2 and above)

 

BNDD/DEA registration (PGY2 and above)

 

Graduates of medical schools in countries other than the United States, Territories of the United States, or Canada must submit a notarized copy of their valid ECFMG certificate.

 

Proof of compliance with the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986.  This law provides for an employment eligibility verification system designed to prevent the employment of unauthorized aliens.  Upon accepting employment, law requires all new employees to document their legal employability and personal identity.  Documentation and completion of the employment eligibility form, proving employability and personal identity must, by law, be furnished and verified before or on the contractual commencement date of employment.  A resident who fails to provide the required documentation cannot work.

 

Completion of all required training in HIPAA, Coding, and Resident Time-Tracking.

 

Resident Physician Responsibilities

 

Specific duties and responsibilities of the resident will be outlined by the individual Program Directors.  The resident is responsible to his or her Program Director for performance in all phases of training. 

 

Residents appointed to training programs at OUCM-T are expected to:

 

Develop a personal program of self-study and

professional growth with guidance from the Residency Program Director and Faculty.

 

Be aware of and abide by all University of Oklahoma policies and procedures.

 

Participate in safe, effective and compassionate patient care under supervision, commensurate with his or her level of advancement and responsibility.

 

Participate fully in the educational activities of his or her residency program and, as required, assume responsibility for teaching and supervising other residents and students.  Program Directors will provide residents with guidelines for required participation and attendance for educational activities such as conferences, rounds, seminars, and ambulatory rotations.

 

Fulfill the requirements of the residency program.

 

Participate in institutional programs and activities involving medical staff.

 

Adhere to established practices, procedures, and policies of the institutions, and affiliated hospitals.  For example, excessively delinquent hospital medical records may result in suspension of hospital privileges of the resident, as well as the resident’s attending physician, which will result in the resident’s suspension from the OUCM-T residency training program in all affiliated hospitals until the records are completed.  Suspended time will be “dead” time; that is, time without pay and time not counted toward completion of training that must be made up before a certification of completion will be issued.

 

Foster the principles of medical ethics and participate in peer review.

 

Participate in institutional committees and councils; especially those that relate to patient care review activities.

 

Apply cost containment measures appropriately in the provision of patient care.

 

Agree not to engage in any outside employment or professional activities, which interfere with obligations to the training program.

 

Exhibit conduct consistent with the dignity of the medical profession at all times.  Social and personal matters should be conducted at appropriate times and places apart from professional practice.  Residents are representatives of OUCM-T in their professional relationships with patients and their relatives, colleagues, hospital personnel and the public.

 

Address all physicians and hospital personnel by their last names in the presence of patients.

 

Understand that residents do not have administrative control over nurses or employees.  Hospital and clinic personnel will do their best to provide good care for patients, and residents should be courteous and helpful to them.  When nurses or employees apparently fail to discharge their duties and the welfare of the patient is affected directly, the resident should report the matter promptly to his or her attending physician.

 

 

Medical Ethical Responsibilities

 

The medical profession has long subscribed to a body of ethical statements developed primarily for the benefit of the patient.  As a member of this profession, a resident must recognize responsibility not only to patients, but also to society, to other health professionals, and to self.  The following principles adopted by the American Medical Association are not laws, but standards of conduct that define the essentials of honorable behavior for the physician.

 

A physician shall be dedicated to providing competent medical service with compassion and respect for human dignity.

 

A physician shall deal honestly with patients and colleagues, and strive to expose those physicians deficient in character or competence, or who engage in fraud or deception.

 

A physician shall respect the law and also recognize a responsibility to seek changes in those requirements, which are contrary to the best interests of the patients.

 

A physician shall respect the rights of patients, of colleagues, and of other health professionals, and shall safeguard patient confidences within the constraints of the law.

 

A physician shall continue to study, apply and advance scientific knowledge, make relevant information available to patients, colleagues and the public, obtain consultation, and use the talents of other health professionals when indicated.

 

A physician shall, in the provision of appropriate patient care, except in emergencies, be free to choose whom to serve, with whom to associate, and the environment in which to provide medical services.

 

A physician shall recognize a responsibility to participate in activities contributing to an improved community.

 

 

Patient Relationships

 

The attitude of the resident toward patients should be kind and sympathetic.  Patients accepting care should never be allowed to feel that the professional relationship between them and the resident is altered by their economic status.

 

Residents are legally and morally bound to keep medical information regarding patients strictly confidential.  Patients and their medical conditions should not be discussed in public either inside or outside of the hospitals.  Inquiries regarding the medical condition of patients by news media should be referred to the patient information desk, Nursing Service Office or to the Hospital Administrator.

 

 

Medical Records

 

Properly maintained and completed medical records are of the utmost importance in caring for patients and also serve as a basis for some clinical investigative work.  Therefore, great emphasis is placed on the preparation, maintenance, and preservation of medical records in the hospitals and clinics. 

 

Specific rules concerning medical records vary with the different hospitals and clinics.  General rules apply to all hospitals and clinics and they are as follows:

 

Preservation of Medical Records

 

1.     No medical record may be removed from the files without a proper sign-out of the record to show where it has been taken and who is responsible for it.

 

2.     If a medical record, subsequent to its removal from the files, is transferred from one person to another, it is the responsibility of the person to whom the record is charged to notify the appropriate Medical Records Department.

 

3.     Medical records must not be taken from the hospitals or clinics.

 

4.     Medical records of patients previously treated are available to residents for approved education or research purposes.

 

Preparation and Maintenance of Medical Records

 

1.     A complete history and physical examination shall be written or dictated within 24 hours after admission of each patient, or within the guidelines determined by each hospital’s medical staff executive committee and by the office of Clinical Affairs.

 

2.     Adequate, up-to-date progress notes should accurately reflect the patient’s hospital/clinic course.

 

3.     Residents must date and sign each entry made in the clinical record.

 

4.     When it is known that a patient is to be discharged, all residents responsible for the preparation of items in the record must attempt to complete those items before the patient leaves the hospital.

 

5.     The service discharging the patient is responsible for the summary of the patient’s entire hospitalization in dictated form.

 

6.     Residents on duty in an emergency department should complete the medical record immediately after a patient is treated.  Emergency department records are needed by many.  The record must not be taken elsewhere; if copies are needed, photocopies will be prepared.

 

7.     At regular intervals, the Medical Records Committees of the hospitals and clinics will review medical record delinquencies, including those of residents.  Serious deficiencies will be reported to the appropriate Program Director for administrative action.  (see Academic Administrative Actions) 

 

 

Confidentiality of Medical Records

 

Residents are cautioned that medical records are confidential.  The use and disclosure of the health information contained in a medical record are restricted by the regulations (Privacy Regulations) promulgated pursuant to the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) of 1996.

 

Residents must comply with the University’s Privacy Policies and Procedures (Privacy Policies) implementing the Privacy Regulations.  Failure to comply with the Privacy Policies will result in corrective action, including the possibility of termination.

 

Residents must make reasonable efforts to safeguard medical information.  For example, residents should not discuss particular patients in public and should not leave medical records in places where unauthorized persons could access them.

 

Residents must use extreme caution when storing health information on portable devices.

 

Residents must comply with any policies developed by the University related to security of health information.

 

 

Dress Code

 

Professional appearance and demeanor are a demonstration of self-respect, respect for the patient and the profession.  This appearance and demeanor should be maintained at all times by faculty, residents and medical students.  Individual departments should inform residents of standards unique to that department.  Individual institutions may have additional dress code requirements of which all residents should be aware.

 

Hair should be kept well groomed and neat.  Men may wear mustaches and beards that are neatly trimmed.

 

A clean clinical jacket, suit, or sport coat, with nametag is to be worn at all times, while on duty.

 

Clothing should be clean and in good repair.  Blue jeans, shorts, t-shirts, hats, and exercise clothing are unac-ceptable.

 

Shoes should be clean and neat.

 

 

Nametags

 

Resident physicians are required to wear The University of Oklahoma nametags in all patient care settings.  The nametag will identify the resident as a resident physician and is issued by the Resident and Student Affairs Office during orientation.

 

In the event a resident’s nametag is lost, the Resident and Student Affairs Office should be contacted to arrange for a replacement.

 

Identification Cards

 

1.     The University of Oklahoma photo identification cards are made during resident orientation.  The card, which should be carried with the resident at all times, provides a source of identification in hospitals, the community, and on campus.  The card will enable residents to gain admission to athletic events and other University of Oklahoma functions.

 

2.     Residents completing and/or leaving OUCM-T are required to return the ID card to their residency program.

 

 

Parking Decals

 

1.     Hospitals will issue parking permits as appropriate.

 

 

Resident Mailing Address

 

Residents, as a group, receive the largest volume of mail on this campus.  Complete and accurate mailing addresses ensure that the mailroom is able to sort and deliver mail on a timely basis.  Please provide the complete mailing address to all of your correspondents as shown below.

 

       Your Full Name

       Department of _______________

       4502 East 41st Street

       Tulsa OK 74135-2512

 

 

Health Screening

 

1.     Tuberculosis:  A Mantoux 5 TU intradermal PPD will be administered at orientation, unless the individual is known to be tuberculin positive.  Residents having documentation of a previous negative PPD within the last six months will also be exempt.  Residents with no prior documentation of a negative PPD, or one more than six months old, will have 2 successive PPD’s, administered at least one week apart, to evaluate booster phenomenon and TB exposure status.  Residents without proper tuberculin testing will not be able to start the program.  In the case of a known tuberculin positive individual, a symptom questionnaire will be administered yearly and the resident must provide a (one time) negative chest X-ray report since being skin test positive.  Chest X-rays may be obtained free of charge from Tulsa City-County Health Department, phone 918-582-9355, or you may receive a CXR from the Radiology department at the Sheridan Clinic for $35.00.

 

2.     Measles:  Documented IgG titer results, OR proof of 2 measles vaccines after 12 months of age.  We provide MMR vaccine for the purposes of satisfying this requirement.

 

3.     Mumps:  Documented immunization with one mumps vaccine after the age of 12 months of age or a positive IgG titer.  We provide MMR vaccine for the purposes of satisfying this requirement.

 

4.     Rubella:  Documented IgG titer results or vaccination after the age of 12 months.  We provide MMR for the purposes of satisfying this requirement.

 

5.     Hepatitis B:  The vaccine will be offered to incoming residents at no charge.  All residents will be required to sign a specific acceptance or declination of Hepatitis immunization.  If you have already received the series of 3 injections, we will need the dates.  If you have only completed a partial series, we will complete any injections you have not received.  You do not need to restart the series.  Antibody titer level to assess protective immunity from Hepatitis B immunization will be obtained for persons completing the series in the past 6 months, or following an occupational exposure, at no charge.

 

6.     Varicella:  Varicella (chickenpox) immunity status is satisfied by either a history of chickenpox, documented vaccine dates, or having a titer drawn ($50.00 at OUCM-T lab).

 

7.     Tetanus:  All residents who have completed tetanus immunizations should receive a Td booster every ten years.  In the event previous immunizations were not given, the individuals should receive their primary series of Td immunizations.

 

8.     Influenza:  Immunization is recommended annually for individuals involved in providing care to high-risk patient groups.  Check with your assigned clinic or Employee Health/Health Awareness in the fall for vaccine availability.

 

The resident may receive immunizations at the time of orientation, through the clinic served by the academic department, or at Employee Health/Health Awareness.  Psychiatry residents may receive immunizations through Employee Health/Health Awareness.  There is no charge to the individual for required immunizations.  Titers must be purchased at University cost.  PPDs, Titers, Chest X-Rays, or physical exams require copies of written reports.

 

 

Interdepartmental Transfers

 

1.     It is the general policy of OUCM-T that resident contracts be honored for the program and time period under the terms in which they were written and signed, and no change in contracts be allowed.  However, in unusual cases where extenuating circumstances present themselves, the resident may petition for a change in his or her contractual agreement.

 

2.     The request form (obtained from the Resident and Student Affairs Office) must be signed by all Department Program Directors involved, the Senior Associate Dean for Administration & Finance, the Associate Dean for Academic Services, and the Dean before the transfer can be considered formally approved.

 

 

Visiting Resident Policy

 

It is recognized that a residency program may benefit when the opportunity for a learning experience is afforded to an individual from another institution.  Therefore, residents from other programs approved by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) or American Osteopathic Association (AOA) may participate in visiting rotations at OUCM-T in accordance with policies and procedures available in the Resident and Student Affairs Office.

 

 

 

 

Terminating Resident Procedures

 

1.     Residents completing and/or leaving OUCM-T are required to return their OUCM-T ID cards, submit a completed Clearance Form and leave a forwarding address with their Program Director and the Resident and Student Affairs Office.

 

2.     Professional liability and group insurance benefits end at the training completion, or other termination date.  Health and dental insurance may be continued for 18 months with the cost borne by the resident.

 

3.     A certificate of training will be issued at completion of training and is contingent upon successful completion of the minimum requirements for the training program and completion of the resident Clearance Form.  Certificates of training for given periods of time are not equivalent to certification of eligibility to take the “certifying examination” of the various specialty boards.

 

 

Resident Travel Procedures

 

1.     When a resident wants to attend a professional meeting that would absent him or her from resident duties, he or she must have an approved leave request from the Program Director and the request must conform to the educational leave policy (see page 48).  The meeting can be no more than one week in duration and must be within the U.S.A.

 

2.     The resident is encouraged to allow the department support staff to handle travel arrangements in order to maximize reimbursement potential.  Commercial air travel must be booked by the resident’s academic department through an approved travel agency.  There is no reimbursement for air travel unless a State-approved travel agency is used.

 

3.     Upon return, the resident must, within 10 days, submit to the department support staff receipts for all claims, hotel bills, and registration fees.  The departmental staff will file the necessary travel reimbursement forms with the Travel Office in Oklahoma City.  Reimbursement will be based only on those items documented with a receipt and in accordance with the current travel policy.

 

 

 

 

Off-Campus Elective Procedures

 

The request to take an off-campus elective, whether in the United States or an international elective, must be submitted in writing to the resident’s Program Director and must include a protocol of the requested course, the length of time requested, suggested months, reasons for the request and any other pertinent information.  Electives taken off-campus may not be more than two (2) months in duration.

 

All existing insurance benefits (i.e. medical, dental, life, accidental death, etc.) will be provided the resident while off-campus, as outlined in the insurance companies plan descriptions.  For details please refer to each plan certificate.

 

Off-Campus Electives:

Requests for continuation of malpractice insurance coverage during off-campus electives must be submitted in writing to the Office of Clinical Affairs, c/o Sharon Allen, who will forward the request to the proper administrators who will, in turn, deliberate and return an approval or disapproval.  Requests should include the resident’s name, department and postgraduate level, time period and location involved and a statement to the effect that this is a part of the curriculum. 

 

Any expenditure for housing and travel will be the responsibility of the resident.

 

The resident’s Program Director will make sure the appropriate documentation of the elective is obtained, including an evaluation of the resident’s performance.

 

Exceptions to this policy must have the approval of the resident’s Program Director and the Department Chair.


RESIDENT MOONLIGHTING

 

 

The following is a general policy regarding two ways residents, employed by OUCM-T, may work extra time for extra money as physicians; an activity generically termed “moonlighting.”  Each academic department has a specific policy on moonlighting by which residents must abide.

 

 

Background

 

1.     Residents in training commonly wish to work in their free time to supplement their incomes or to extend their education to include experiences not otherwise found in their formal training programs.  This practice of outside professional employment may be beneficial to the individual if prudently employed.  If abused, patient care may suffer, the training program for the individual may be seriously impaired, the burdens imposed upon peers may be excessive and the University’s reputation as a center for educational excellence may suffer.

 

2.     OUCM-T has the right and responsibility to protect its reputation and a duty to ensure the quality of education received by its residents.  Through its agreement with affiliated teaching institutions, OUCM-T has the responsibility to ensure the quality of service provided by its residents, and patients have the right to the best care and the undiluted attention of their physicians.

 

3.     Residents have a right to free time and may employ this time as they see fit.  Resolution 53 adopted by the AMA House of Delegates, 1974 states:

 

“As a basic human right, residents may spend this time in any way they see fit insofar as primary institutional responsibilities and educational responsibilities are not compromised and any disciplinary action related to extramural work must accord due process.”

 

4.     No resident shall be required to engage in moonlighting.

 

 

 

 

Types of Moonlighting

 

Supervised Moonlighting

 

This type allows residents to perform extra amounts of work in the same venues and with the same activity as found in their regular curriculum.  The residents are supervised by faculty, have prescribed duties and their performance is formally evaluated by faculty of their training program.  The faculty is responsible for the residents’ actions just as in the regular curriculum.  Though there is extra compensation for this extra activity, the activity is considered supplementary to their formal training though not a substitute for their formal curriculum.  Records of activity, supervision and evaluations must be kept by the residency program.  This type of supplemental duty is approved, indeed arranged, by the Program Director, and in this function the resident is not required to obtain supplemental malpractice insurance.

 

Unsupervised Moonlighting

 

This type allows residents to perform extra amounts of work for extra amounts of pay in venues unsupervised by OUCM-T faculty.  The resident must obtain prior written approval from the Program Director.  This activity is not considered adjunctive to the resident’s curriculum and the resident is, in fact, acting as an “independent contractor.”  The resident is required to obtain proper supplemental malpractice insurance.

 

 

Guidelines

 

The practice of medicine without a license is illegal, and in Oklahoma, residents must satisfactorily complete at least one full year of approved postgraduate training before unrestricted licensure is granted.  Unsupervised moon-lighting by residents holding a restricted license is illegal and against University policy.  Violators of this policy are subject to immediate dismissal, as well as criminal prosecution.

 

Any type of moonlighting without knowledge and prior written approval of the Program Director could be grounds for dismissal from the training program.

 

 

Section III; subsection D., of the residency agreement (contract) states:

 

   “RESIDENT agrees to discuss outside employment with the Program Director and obtain permission before engaging in such.”

 

Authorization forms are available in Resident and Student Affairs Office.  They must be signed by the Program Director and a copy retained in the resident’s file in the program.

 

Consent to moonlight will be withdrawn if extracurricular employment interferes with the resident’s performance academically or the meeting of patient care obligations.

 

Any moonlighting activity by a resident which appears to be detrimental to the reputation or well being of OUCM-T may be halted by the respective Program Director.

 

Proper professional liability coverage for extracurricular employment is the responsibility of the resident except under conditions of approved supervised moonlighting.

 

The specifics of off-duty and extramural activities of unsupervised moonlighting will be negotiated between residents and their employers.

 

A resident may not open or work in a self-owned private practice office while in residency training.

 

It is the responsibility of the institution hiring the resident to moonlight to determine whether unrestricted licensure is in place, whether adequate liability insurance is provided, and whether the resident has the appropriate training and skills to carry out assigned duties.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Procedures for Withdrawing Approval for Moonlighting

 

1.     If the Program Director determines a resident’s performance is below departmental standards, the resident will be immediately counseled to this effect.  A warning will be given that failure to correct deficiencies noted will result in withdrawal of permission to moonlight.

 

2.     If improvement is not noted within a designated period of time, the Program Director will inform the resident and withdraw approval to moonlight.  This action will be taken after a personal interview between the Program Director and the resident and will be documented in writing with a letter to the resident from the Program Director.  A copy of this letter will be sent to the Resident and Student Affairs Office.

 

3.     Should the resident not concur in the decision to withdraw approval to moonlight, an appeal may be made according to grievance procedures outlined in the Resident Handbook on page 26.

 

 

Disclaimer

 

1.     In promulgating this policy, OUCM-T is not encouraging its residents to engage in extracurricular professional employment.

 

2.     It is not the responsibility of OUCM-T to provide outside employment for residents.

 

3.     OUCM-T accepts no responsibility for the financial consequences to residents who engage in moonlighting if permission for that employment is withdrawn as a consequence of poor performance in the training program or for other cause.


ADMINISTRATIVE ACADEMIC ACTIONS

 

 

Administrative academic actions include probation, suspension, and termination from the residency program.  The particular administrative action imposed shall be based on individual circumstances and will not necessarily follow the sequential order in which they are described below.  In the event a resident is subject to any administrative action, the resident shall be provided a written statement of these actions by the Program Director.  A notice of the action shall be sent to the Office of Resident and Student Affairs.

 

Probation/ Non-Promotion

 

1.     A resident may be placed on probation or not promoted to the next level by his/her training program for reasons including, but not limited to, any of the following:

 

a.     Failure to meet he performance standards of an individual rotation.

b.     Failure to meet performance standards of the training program.

c.     Misconduct that infringes on the principles and guidelines set forth by the training program.

d.     Documented and recurrent failure to complete medical records in a timely and appropriate manner.

e.     Failure to complete documentation of work hours in a timely and appropriate manner.

f.      When reasonably documented professional misconduct or ethical charges are brought against a resident that bears on his or her fitness to participate in the training program.

g.     Failure to meet the requirement to inform the Program Director of any professional employment outside the residency program or to comply with limitations established.

h.    Failure to comply with University’s compliance program.

i.      Failure to participate in required Institutional Health Screening and OSHA Training.

j.      Failure to pass required medical licensing examinations.

k.     Failure to notify Program Director that resident for any reason no longer meets or expects to meet requirements or obligations necessary for participation in GME Programs.

2.     When a resident is placed on probation or not promoted, specific remedial steps shall be established by the Program Director and provided to the resident in a written statement in a timely manner, usually within a week of the notification of probation or of failure to promote.  A copy of this written statement will be forwarded to the Office of Resident and Student Affairs.

 

3.     The probation/non-promotion action will establish a length of time in which the resident must correct the deficiency or problem.

 

4.     Depending on compliance with the remedial steps, established by the Program Director, a resident may be:

 

a.     continued on probation and/or held at current level,

b.     removed from probation and/or promoted,

c.     placed on suspension, or

d.     terminated from the residency program.

 

 

Suspension

 

1.   A resident may be suspended from a residency program for reasons including, but not limited to, any of the following:

 

a.   Failure to meet the requirements for remediation from probation.

b.     Failure to meet performance standards of the training program.

c.    Failure to complete documentation of work hours in a timely and appropriate manner.

d.   When reasonably documented professional misconduct or ethical charges are brought against a resident, which bear on his or her fitness to participate in the training program.

e.    When reasonably documented legal charges have been brought against a resident, which bear on his or her fitness to participate in the training program.

f.    If a resident is deemed an immediate danger to patients, himself or herself, or to others.

g.   If a resident fails to comply with the medical licensure laws of the State of Oklahoma.

h.   Failure to meet the requirement to inform the Program Director of any professional employment outside the residency program or to comply with limitations established.

i.    If a resident becomes ineligible to participate in federally sponsored health programs.

j.    Failure to comply with University’s compliance program.

k.   Failure to participate in required Institutional Health Screening and OSHA Training.

l.    Failure to pass required medical licensing examinations.

m.  Failure to notify Program Director that resident for any reason no longer meets or expects to meet requirements or obligations necessary for participation in GME Programs.

 

2.   When a resident is suspended, a written notice of the suspension and the reasons for the action shall be provided to the resident by the Program Director with a copy of this written statement forwarded to the Office of Resident and Student Affairs.

 

3.   Suspension may be with or without pay as appropriate depending upon the circumstances.

 

4.   Suspension must be followed by appropriate measures determined by the Program Director to assure satisfactory resolution of the problem(s).  During this time, the resident will be placed on “Administrative Leave” and may not participate in regular duties, rounds, or educational conferences.

 

5.   Subsequent to suspension a resident may be:

 

a.   reinstated with no qualifications,

b.   reinstated on probation,

c.    continued on suspension, or

d.   terminated from the program.

 

 

Termination

 

1.     Termination from a residency program may occur for reasons including, but not limited to, any of the following:

 

a.     Failure to meet the performance standards of the training program.

b.     Illegal conduct.

c.     Unethical conduct.

e.     Performance and behavior, which compromise the welfare of patients, self, or others.

d.     Failure to complete documentation of work hours in a timely and appropriate manner.

e.     Failure to comply with the medical licensure laws of the State of Oklahoma.

f.      Failure of the resident to pass the requisite examinations for licensure to practice medicine in Oklahoma as stipulated elsewhere in this Handbook.

g.     Failure to meet the requirements to inform the Program Director of any professional employment outside the residency program or to comply with limitations established.

h.    Failure to comply with University’s compliance program.

i.      Failure to participate in required Institutional Health Screening and OSHA Training.

j.      Failure to notify Program Director that resident for any reason no longer meets or expects to meet requirements or obligations necessary for participation in GME Programs.

 

2.     The Program Director, at the time of notification to the resident, shall provide the resident a written letter of termination stating the reasons for such action and the date termination becomes effective.  A copy of this written statement shall be forwarded to the Office of Resident and Student Affairs.

 


GRIEVANCES

 

 

The University, through its designated officials, retains the right to make final determination as to the academic qualifications, performance evaluations, professional conduct, promotion, suitability for continued training, and certification of a resident physician participating in the University’s graduate medical education programs.  This section defines the policies and procedures for resident grievances.

 

 

Definition of Grievance

 

1.   An allegation of wrongful administrative action resulting in probation, failure to promote, suspension, or termination of residency training.

 

2.   A complaint concerning interpretation of rights under the residency agreement.

 

3.   Any actions resulting from a resident’s failure to comply with the requirements of the medical licensure laws of the State of Oklahoma, including termination of residency training, are not subject to grievance procedure(s).

 

4.   Any actions resulting from a resident’s repeated failure to pass or failure to be eligible to take all of the requisite examinations for licensure to practice medicine in the United States, including termination of residency training, are not subject to grievance procedure(s).

 

 

Grievance Procedure

 

1.     Complainants who exercise their right to use this procedure agree to accept its conditions as outlined.

 

2.     A resident may have a grievance on the basis of the conditions defined in “Definition of Grievance” #1 and/or #2 above.

 

3.     The resident shall first discuss his or her grievance with the training Program Director and attempt to resolve the issue within the program.  In so far as practical, this must occur within seven (7) calendar days of the date on which the resident was notified by the Program Director of the action in question.

 

4.     If the resident is unable to resolve the matter at the level of the Program Director, he or she may request a meeting with the Associate Dean for Academic Services for the purpose of addressing his or her grievance.  This request must be in writing and must contain the specific grounds for filing the grievance.  The request must be submitted within seven (7) calendar days of the failed attempt to resolve the issue with the Program Director.

 

5.     The Associate Dean for Academic Services shall meet with the resident to discuss his or her grievance and then explore the grounds for the grievance.

 

6.     The Associate Dean for Academic Services shall attempt to resolve the grievance between the parties involved.  Both parties will be notified in writing by the Associate Dean for Academic Services of the resolution, or if he determines that the matter cannot be resolved.

 

7.     Within seven (7) calendar days of notification of the resident by the Associate Dean for Academic Services that the matter cannot be resolved, the resident may request a grievance hearing by a Resident Appeals Committee.  The request for a hearing shall be written and submitted to the Dean of the College of MedicineTulsa.  If no appeal is filed within the seven (7) calendar days period, the case is considered closed.

 

8.     Upon receipt of a properly submitted request for a hearing, the Dean of the College of Medicine-Tulsa shall appoint an ad hoc Resident Appeals Committee for the purpose of considering the specific grievance(s) of the resident physician.

 

9.     The Resident Appeals committee shall be composed of six (6) members: three (3) selected from the faculty of the College of Medicine-Tulsa clinical departments and three (3) selected from residents within programs in the center, other than the program in which the complainant is a resident.  The Chair of the Appeals Committee shall be selected by the Dean from the faculty members appointed.  The Associate Dean for Academic Services shall serve ex officio, without vote, on the appeals committee.  The parties shall be notified of the membership of the committee.  Committee members with a conflict of interest will be replaced.

 

10.  The Chair of the Appeals Committee or the Associate Dean for Academic Services shall notify the parties of the date, time, and location of the hearing.  Parties are responsible for (1) giving such notice to any witnesses whom they wish to call for testimony relevant to the matters in the grievance, and (2) arranging for participation of witnesses in the hearing.  The hearing shall be scheduled to ensure reasonably that the complainant, respondent, and essential witnesses are able to participate.

 

11.  The resident may be advised by legal counsel at his or her own expense.  If the resident intends to have legal counsel present at the hearing, the resident must notify the Associate Dean for Academic Services in writing of this at least fifteen (15) calendar days prior to the Appeals Committee hearing.  Legal counsel for the complainant and the respondent may advise their clients at the hearing but may not directly address the Appeals Committee or witnesses.  The Appeals Committee may be advised by Legal Counsel for the University.

 

12.  If the resident is accompanied by legal counsel at the hearing or, if allowed at any prior steps where the resident and University official(s) meet, University legal counsel shall also be present.

 

13.  The parties shall each submit a list of the witnesses to be called and the actual exhibits to be presented at the hearing to the Associate Dean for Academic Services at least seven (7) calendar days in advance of the hearing.  The parties are responsible for acquiring evidence and requesting witnesses.  The list of witnesses and exhibits from each party will be provided to the other party and to the Appeals Committee Chair.

 

14.  In the event the grievance is resolved to the satisfaction of all parties prior to the hearing, a written statement shall indicate the agreement recommended by the parties and shall be signed and dated by each party and by the Chair of the Appeals Committee.  This agreement shall be filed with the Dean of the College of Medicine-Tulsa, with a copy to the Associate Dean for Academic Services for the administrative file maintained in the Office of Academic Services.

15.  The Resident Appeals Committee shall hear the grievance.  The Committee shall determine the procedure and conduct the meeting.  The hearing shall be closed unless all principals in the case agree to an open hearing.  Audio tape recording of the hearing shall be arranged by the Associate Dean for Academic Services and copies provided to the parties upon request.

 

a.     Witnesses will be asked to affirm that their testimony will be truthful.

b.     Witnesses other than the complainant and the respondent shall be excluded from the hearing during the testimony of other witnesses.  All parties and witnesses shall be excluded during the deliberations of the Appeals Committee.

c.     Burden of proof is upon the complainant and must be by a preponderance of the evidence.

d.     Formal rules of evidence shall apply.

e.     The parties will have reasonable opportunity to question witnesses and present information and argument deemed relevant by the Appeals Committee Chair.

f.      Final decisions by the Appeals Committee shall be by majority vote of the members present and voting.

 

16.  The responsibility for academic and patient care evaluation rests with the faculty of the training program.  The primary responsibility of the Appeals Committee is to review disputes as defined in the “Definition of Grievance” #1 and #2 which have not been satisfactorily resolved at any steps prior to the hearing.

 

17.  The Appeals Committee shall render a signed, written report of its findings and recommendations regarding the dispute in questions to the Dean of the College of Medicine-Tulsa.  The Committee’s report shall be prepared and properly transmitted within seven (7) calendar days after conclusion of its deliberations.

 

18.  The Dean of the College of Medicine-Tulsa shall review the findings and recommendations of the Appeals Committee and render a final decision regarding the grievance and appropriate action.  Within fifteen (15) calendar days of receipt of the Appeals Committee’s findings and recom-mendations, the Dean shall inform the resident and the Program Director of the findings of the Appeals Committee and of the Dean’s decision.  A copy of the Dean’s decision shall be transmitted to the Chair of the Appeals Committee and to the Associate Dean for Academic Services to be placed in the resident’s administrative files maintained in Office of Resident and Student Affairs.

 


OKLAHOMA MEDICAL LICENSURE

 

 

Failure to comply with (1) the medical licensure laws of the State of Oklahoma and/or (2) the institutional requirements regarding licensure shall be sufficient grounds for suspension and/or termination of residency training.  It is the responsibility of each resident to complete all licensure applications and documents in a complete manner in compliance with established deadlines.  This section reflects policies in place at the time of publication of this edition of the Resident Handbook.  Policies governing medical licensure, differing from those listed below may be enacted by the respective medical licensing Boards or by statute.  Residents are required to follow policies in effect at the time of any licensure question or issue.

 

 

Allopathic Physicians (M.D. Degree)

 

The Oklahoma State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision (OSBMLS) licenses allopathic physicians to practice medicine in the State of Oklahoma.  Residents in training programs must hold either a regular full license or special license issued by the OSBMLS.  The OSBMLS requires the United States Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE).  Effective July 1, 1999, the OSBMLS determined that any applicant for licensure who fails any step of the USMLE three (3) times would not be eligible for licensure.

 

Full Licensure:

The law requires that applicants for full licensure possess a valid degree of Doctor of Medicine from a medical college or a school located in the United States, its territories or possessions, or Canada that was approved by the OSBMLS or by a private nonprofit accrediting body approved by the OSBMLS at the time the degree was conferred.  Foreign applicants must possess the degree of Doctor of Medicine or an OSBMLS approved equivalent based on satisfactory completion of educational programs from a school with education and training substantially equivalent to that offered by the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine-Tulsa.

The law further requires twelve (12) months of progressive post-graduate medical training approved by the OSBMLS.  The applicant must have passed the examination stipulated by the OSBMLS, i.e., the USMLE.

One may also apply for licensure based on (1) endorsement of valid current medical license in another state, the District of Columbia, a territory of possession of the United States, or Canada; (2) endorsement of National Board of Medical Examiners scores; or (3) examination taken in Oklahoma.

The OSBMLS considers each application individually and meeting the above criteria does not guarantee issuance of a license.  Factors considered include, but are not limited to, examinations, educational background, post-graduate training, achievement in specialties, and personal history of moral and ethical conduct.

Graduates of foreign medical schools must meet additional requirements.  The OSBMLS has the option of requiring up to twenty-four (24) months of OSBMLS approved progressive graduate medical education training for foreign applicants.  A translator approved by the OSBMLS must translate into English documents not printed in the English language.  If the OSBMLS is unable to verify information related to a foreign applicant or a foreign applicant’s medical school, the OSBMLS may reject the application or require the applicant to score ten (10) percentage points higher on a medical licensure examination than is otherwise required.  Applicants who are graduates of foreign medical schools must pass an English proficiency examination.  Specific graduate medical education requirements are imposed; applicants should consult the OSBMLS for detailed information.  Foreign applicants must also provide written proof of ability to work in the United States as authorized by the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS).

 

Special Licensure:

       Medical graduates in the first year of graduate medical education training in Oklahoma are required to obtain a special license for this purpose.  All applicants must have passed Step 1 and Step 2-CK and Step 2-CS of the United State Medical Licensing Examination (USMLE).  The basic requirements are the same as full licensure except for having completed a full year of graduate medical education, or greater in the case of foreign applicants.  A completed application with a $200.00 fee (paid by OUCM-T) must be filed in time to allow issuance of the special license certificate by July 1 of the PGY-1 year.

       The Oklahoma State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision allows “no tolerance” on deadlines for licensure matters.  A resident may not begin the PGY-1 year or be placed on the payroll without having a special license.  Individuals holding a special license may apply for a full and unrestricted medical license upon meeting all requirements for the full license.

 

 

 

Applying for a Medical License:

       Completion of the application process for either a full license or special license is the sole responsibility of the resident.  Applications are detailed and include requirements for several documents and forms that must be mailed to the applicant’s medical school, to examination boards for verification of scores, to any other institution in which the resident has completed any residency training, and to the licensing board of any other state in which the resident is currently or has been previously licensed to practice medicine.  This procedure takes weeks, and occasionally months; therefore, residents are advised to obtain the necessary forms and begin the process as early as possible.

 

OUCM-T policy states:

1.     Regardless of the PG level they are going to occupy in the program, all allopathic (M.D.) resident physicians must possess either a special license or full medical license for the State of Oklahoma prior to beginning residency training.

 

2.     As previously stated in “Definition of Terms” under “Residency Appointments #2” on page 5 of this handbook:  All residents with the M.D. degree must have passed Step 3 of the USMLE examination by the end of their second year (PGY2) of residency training.  Any resident who fails to pass the requisite examinations as stipulated above will be terminated from his or her residency program.

 

3.     Failure to comply with the licensure requirements of the State of Oklahoma or the policies of the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine-Tulsa shall be sufficient grounds for suspension or termination of residency training.

 

Any resident who has questions about his or her licensure status, or any licensure procedure should contact the appropriate licensing board.

 

Allopathic Licensure Board Address

Oklahoma State Board of            

Medical Licensure                

And Supervision                          

P.O. Box 18256                           

Oklahoma City, OK 73154    

405-848-6841

 

Annual Reregistration

 

1.     On an annual basis, each person licensed by the OSBMLS shall reregister with the OSBMLS.  Reregistration shall be conducted during the month of initial licensure of each individual licensee by the OSBMLS.  Each licensee shall provide to the OSBMLS all information required by the OSBMLS pursuant to statute, 59 O.S. ss 495a.1, in a form approved by the OSBMLS.

 

2.     It shall be the affirmative duty of each licensee to comply with reregistration requirements.  No grace period beyond that provided by law shall be allowed.  The OSBMLS will not hear requests for extensions for reregistration or exemption from any reregistration requirement that the licensee did not receive reregistration materials.

 

Fees:

 

1.     Annual Renewal…….………………$150.00

2.     Reactivation of license…………….$275.00

3.     Reinstatement of license………….$400.00

4.     Special license renewal……………$100.00

 

 

NOTE:  All allopathic physicians are required by law to keep the OSBMLS informed of any address change in both the legal residency and place of business.  If your address changes after you submit you initial application, you must send written notification of the new address to the OSBMLS office.

 

 

Osteopathic Physicians (D.O. Degree)

 

Osteopathic physicians must meet the licensure requirements of the Oklahoma State Board of Osteopathic Examiners and the State of Oklahoma by July 1 of their second year of post-internship training upon completion of 12 months of internship and before continuing in the residency program.  No special license is required during the first year of graduate medical education training for osteopathic physicians.  Many of the osteopathic board’s licensure requirements for documents and verification are similar to those stated above for allopathic physicians.  Accordingly, the applicant should begin the process as early as possible in order to meet all deadlines.

 

 

OUCM-T policy states:

 

1.     Any osteopathic (D.O.) resident who has completed a previous post-graduate year must possess an Oklahoma Osteopathic medical license prior to beginning OUCM-T residency training.

 

2.     As previously stated in “Definition of Terms” under “Residency Appointments #2” on page 5 of this handbook:  All residents with the D.O. degree must pass Level 3 of the COMLEX-USA and be licensed by the Oklahoma State Board of Osteopathic Examiners before proceeding be-yond the first year of residency.  Any resident who fails to pass the requisite examinations as stipulated above will be terminated from his or her residency program.

 

3.     Failure to comply with the licensure requirements of the State of Oklahoma or the policies of the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine-Tulsa shall be sufficient grounds for suspension or termination of residency training.

 

Any resident who has questions about his or her licensure status, or any licensure procedure should contact the appropriate licensing board.

            

 

Osteopathic Licensure Board Address

Oklahoma State Board of

Osteopathic Examiners

4848 N. Lincoln Blvd

Suite 100

Oklahoma City, OK 73105

405-528-8625

 

 


NARCOTICS REGISTRATION

 

 

United States Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA)

 

1.     Federal narcotics registration applications are available in the Office of Resident and Student Affairs.  The resident should complete the application, writing “pending” in the space where the resident’s Oklahoma medical license number is requested, if he or she has not received full licensure.

 

2.     The DEA takes a total of six to eight weeks (from the date of receipt) to process the resident’s application.  The application is initially sent to the DEA in Washington, D.C.  After three or four weeks of being processed at that location, it is forwarded to the regional DEA office in Dallas, Texas.  Authorities from the Dallas DEA office will contact the Oklahoma State Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs (OSBNDD) to verify that an Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics number has been issued to the resident, before completing the process and issuing the resident a federal narcotics certificate.

 

3.     If the resident has not received the number by eight weeks after submission of the application, the resident can call the DEA’s Dallas regional office toll free at (888) 336-4707 to inquire about the status of the application.

 

4.     All residents are required by law to notify the DEA of any change of practice address.

 

5.     Federal DEA certificates expire three years from the last date of issue.  A renewal form should be sent to the physician about 45 days in advance; although the physician is responsible for contacting the DEA if a renewal notice is not received.  The renewal fee for the Federal DEA is $210.00.  Should the resident allow the certificate to expire, the eventual consequence is that a DEA agent will seek the resident out at his or her place of work to confiscate the resident’s certificate and any controlled substances to which the resident has access. 

 

The address for notifying the Federal DEA of a change of practice address for the State of Oklahoma is:

 

 

ATTN:  DEA – ODRR

Dallas Field Division

1880 Regal Row

Dallas, TX 75235

 

Oklahoma State Bureau of Narcotics and

Dangerous Drugs (OSBNDD)

 

1.     The OSBNDD will not give the resident a blank application form for state narcotics registration until the resident has a full Oklahoma medical license number.  The resident can obtain an application immediately following receipt of his/her full Oklahoma medical license number by calling the OSBNDD’s toll free number: (800) 522-8031.  The Oklahoma narcotics license number will be issued within a week after approval of the application.

 

2.     The resident should mail in the application (or renewal form) directly, along with the registration fee if the resident plans to moonlight.  If the resident will not be moonlighting, the completed application (or renewal form) should be given to the Program Director, who signs a letter certifying that as an employee of the State of Oklahoma the resident is entitled to a waiver of the registration fee.  If a resident changes his or her mind at a later date and wishes to moonlight, the registration fee must be submitted at that time.

 

3.     OSBNDD certificates expire three years from the last date of issue.  A renewal notice will be sent to the resident in early August, although the resident is responsible for contacting the OSBNDD for a renewal form if it is not received in the mail. 

 

4.     Should the resident fail to renew this certificate; an OSBNDD agent will seek him or her out at the place of work to confiscate the certificate and any controlled substances to which the resident has access.

 

5.     The resident is required by law to notify the OSBNDD of any change of practice address.  The address for notifying the OSBNDD of a change of practice address is:

 

Oklahoma State Bureau of Narcotics

& Dangerous Drugs

4545 N. Lincoln, Suite 11

Oklahoma City, OK 73105

Regulations Governing Prescription Writing

In a Veterans Administration Facility

 

Any physician who is an intern, resident, foreign physician, or a physician on the staff of a veterans administration facility (exempted from registration), may dispense, administer, and prescribe controlled substances under the registration of the hospital or other institution in which the physician is employed provided that:

 

1.     The dispensing, administering, or prescribing is in the usual course of professional practice.

 

2.     The physician is authorized or permitted to do so by the state where practicing.

 

3.     The hospital or institution has verified the physician is permitted to dispense, administer, or prescribe drugs within the state.

 

4.     The physician acts only within the scope of employment in the hospital or institution.

 

5.     The hospital or other institution authorizes him to dispense or prescribe under its registration and assigns a specific internal code number for each physician so authorized.

 

6.     A current list of internal codes and the corresponding individual practitioners is kept by the hospital or other institution and is made available at all times to other registrants and law enforcement agencies upon request for purpose of verifying the authority of the prescribing physician.

 

7.     A physician may not prescribe by prescription any regulated substances in Schedules I through V, as defined by the Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances Act, for the physician’s personal use.

 

Who May Issue:

A prescription order for a controlled substance may be issued only by a physician, dentist, podiatrist, veterinarian, or other registered practitioner who is:

 

Authorized to prescribe controlled substances by a juris-diction in which he is licensed to practice his profession.

 

Either registered under the controlled substances act or exempted from registration (military and Public Health Service physicians).

 


RESIDENT BENEFITS

 

Resident Moving Expense Allowance

 

In order to assist new residents with the expense of relocating their belongings from out of town, OUCM-T will reimburse moving expenses of up to $700.00 with departmental approval.  Each department has an Employee Moving Expense Information form for the resident to complete.  The original receipts, charge tickets, canceled checks, etc. will be required for reimbursement.

 

Moving expenses are considered wages for IRS form W-2 purposes inasmuch as they are paid in connection with the performance of services and are attributable to employment.

 

Salary and Paychecks

 

Resident salaries are based on the year of post-graduate medical education involved.  Any resident who has to repeat all or part of a year, or who is delayed from moving to the next year for any reason, does not move to the next salary grade until being promoted to the next PG year.  The following is the plan for determining the salary for each resident:

 

The years of prerequisite training for a given program or position will be credited to the resident (except as noted in #2).  The resident will start at the next step of the scale and progress upward each year.  This will apply regardless of where the prerequisite training is obtained as long as it fulfills the requirements of the board of the particular residency.  A resident may be paid at a level above that in which he or she is functioning in recognition of and based on previous training within the same specialty with the Program Director’s discretion and direction.

 

If, however, the Program Director deems that the preceding training is inadequate and/or must be repeated the resident will be paid for the particular position level at which the resident begins his or her training.

 

Likewise, a resident will not advance on the salary steps beyond those years which are required by the American Boards for the respective specialty.  Thus, if a resident fulfills three years of a program here qualifying for board examination as far as resident training is concerned, and stays an additional year for more clinical training, the resident will not go to the next salary step.

 

Previous training, which is not required for a program or by the Board, will not be credited in establishing the salary step the resident occupies.

 

Any approved salary increase effective after the date of the contract will be automatically reflected in paychecks without reissuing the contract.

 

Residents are paid on a monthly basis.  Salary warrants will be issued on the last working day of each month.  Residents may receive their salary warrants in one of the following ways:

 

By state law the check must be deposited electronically to his or her checking or savings account.  Forms and information regarding this service are available in the Human Resources Office.  A payroll earnings statement, which provides a permanent record of amounts that have been withheld from gross salary for taxes, social security, etc., is sent to the resident’s department prior to the date of electronic deposit.

 

The first check is not direct deposited, and the resident may pick-up the check in Human Resources.  Proper identification is required when picking up salary warrants.

 

Professional Liability Insurance

 

1.     All residents are required to carry professional liability insurance for activities within the scope of their residency training program.  OUCM-T pays the professional liability insurance coverage for each resident until termination or completion of their residency training.  This coverage applies to actions involving assigned duties while serving under faculty supervision in a residency training program. 

 

The coverage provided is $100,000/$300,000.

 

Each resident or fellow offered an appointment must prove to be eligible for professional liability insurance coverage by the carrier contracted by the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine.  The contract offered to any resident or fellow who is ultimately denied coverage by the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine professional liability insurance carrier will be null and void.

 

2.     Moonlighting Insurance:

Residents approved to perform work outside the scheduled educational program, i.e. moonlighting, and desiring coverage during that time can obtain an individual policy from the insurer.  The moonlighting coverage is the same as the professional malpractice insurance provided by the University.  The cost of the moonlighting malpractice insurance is paid for by the resident.

 

If you are, or suspect that you might be, named in any actions involving a patient, immediately notify your Program Director, the OU Physicians Risk Manager, and the Resident and Student Affairs Office who will assist you in notifying your professional liability insurance carrier.

 

Group Insurance

 

The University of Oklahoma offers a comprehensive group insurance program, called Sooner Options, for residents and their immediate families.  In order to receive these insurance benefits, enrollment forms must be completed and returned to OU-Tulsa Human Resources Office, Suite 1C114.  A brief description of coverage follows, and additional information is provided to all residents during orientation.

 

The University of Oklahoma provides sufficient benefit credit to offset the cost of residents’ health, dental, life and AD&D.  Benefit credits may not cover the complete cost of insurance options that cost more than the base level on which benefit credits are provided.  If residents waive coverage, the benefit credits will be used to offset the costs of other coverage or taken as taxable take-home pay if there are no other offsetting costs.  Residents who wish to cover dependents must pay the dependent premium costs for these coverages, which are accomplished by payroll deduction. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Comprehensive Medical Insurance: 

 

There are three companies with a total of 7 options to choose from:  Residents receive enough benefit dollars to cover the cost of Option 1. 

 

1.     Aetna Open Access Managed Choice

 

Fully insured plan through Aetna.  This plan has a broad network of physicians located in the State of Oklahoma and throughout the country, and has a $25 co-pay for primary care physicians’ visits and a reasonable deductible for most other types of covered expenses. For most services, the plan pays 80%; the member pays 20%. Prescription benefits are tired:  $15 for covered generics; $25 for brand formulary drugs and $40 for out of network prescriptions. 

 

2.     Aetna HealthFund HRA

 

Fully insured plan through Aetna).  The plan has a $1,500 deductible and the HealthFund covers the member’s first $500 of eligible medical expenses.  After the deductible, the plan pays 70% and the member pays 30%. Prescription benefits are tired:  $15 for covered generics; $25 for brand formulary drugs and $40 for out of network prescriptions which apply after the Fund is exhausted. 

 

 

3.     Aetna High Option HMO

 

Fully insured Health Maintenance Organization with a high level of coverage.  Employees select a primary care physician and he/she will coordinate all healthcare needs.  Primary Care Physician office visits are $10 and the plan has a prescription benefit with co-pays as little as $10, $25 or $50.

 

4.     Aetna Low Option HMO

      

Fully insured Health Maintenance Organization with a contracting provider network of approximately 1,300 physicians.  Employees select a primary care physician and he/she will coordinate all of your healthcare needs.  Primary Care Physician office visits are $25 and have a prescription benefit of $10, $30 or $60 co-pays.

 

 

* Please note that benefit plans may not be exactly as described above.  This is for informational purposes only, please refer to the Plan Summaries for complete list of limitations and exclusions. 

 

 

 

Aetna Dental Insurance

 

Insurance covers preventive care (cleanings, x-ray), basic dentistry (fillings, extractions, oral surgery, root canal and periodontics, plus major dentistry (bridges and crowns).  Employee can choose from two options, the basic plan or the alternate plan.  The university provides employees enough benefit credit dollars to purchase the basic plan for themselves.  Orthodontics is not a covered benefit under either plan.

 

Life Insurance

 

Coverage amounts of one and one-half times annual pay, if selected and is paid for by OUCM-T.  Residents who wish to purchase additional coverage or family coverage may do so according to a schedule of limits and amounts.

 

 

Accidental Death and Dismemberment

 

$20,000 worth of accidental death and dismemberment insurance, if selected, is paid by OUCM-T and supplied to each resident at no cost.  Residents who wish to purchase additional coverage or family coverage may do so according to a schedule of limits and costs. 

 

Long-Term Disability

 

Resident receives coverage automatically.  Plan has a 180 day waiting period and then pays $1,700 per month for residents in their 1st and 2nd year, and $2,000 for residents in their 3rd year and beyond (integrated with other group LTD programs). 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Family and Medical Leave

 

Family Leave Guidelines

After one year of University employment, qualified employees may take up to 12 weeks of leave (available vacation and sick leave and then unpaid leave) during any 12 month period for (1) the birth of a child; (2) the placement of a child for adoption or foster care; (3) the care of a spouse, parent, or child with a serious health condition; or (4) a serious health condition that makes the employee unable to perform the employee’s job functions.  Contact Human Resources for additional information.

 

Resident Family Leave Policy

Depending on specialty board requirements, periods of family leave may extend the length of the residency training needed to meet specialty board requirements.

 

Maternity Leave (for female residents)

Available sick leave, vacation time, or leave without pay may be used in accordance with the Family and Medical Leave Act guidelines as described above.  Specific questions should be addressed to Human Resources.  Requests for leave should be made in writing to your Program Director as soon as the need is known.

 

Paternity Leave

Available vacation time, or leave without pay may be used in accordance with the Family and Medical Leave Act guidelines as described above.  Specific questions should be addressed to Human Resources.  Sick leave is not to be used for this purpose.  Requests for leave should be made in writing to your Program Director as soon as the need is known.

 

Requests for Family and Medical Leave

Residency program schedule changes require considerable planning to ensure that patient care and your residency colleagues’ educations are not impacted negatively.  Therefore, requests for leave should be made in writing to your Program Director as soon as the need is known.

 

Paging Equipment and Voice Mail

 

1.     Each resident will be assigned a pager, charging unit, and/or rechargeable batteries for use while under contract with OUCM-T.

 

2.     Monthly cost for lease of the equipment is paid for by OUCM-T.

 

3.     In the event of loss or destruction of the leased equipment, the resident to whom the equipment was assigned will be billed for the replacement cost of the pager and/or charger.

 

4.     Residents will be responsible for the equipment originally assigned to them and, therefore, should not exchange their equipment with other residents, loan it, or borrow any other equipment.

 

5.     If equipment malfunctions, it should be returned to the department for exchange or repair.

 

6.     Before leaving an OUCM-T residency training program, the same equipment assigned to a resident will be turned in on the last working day in good working order or the resident will be billed for the replacement costs.

 

7.     Paging equipment will be issued, returned for repair, exchanged, or checked in, in accordance with the policies of the individual academic departments.

 

8.     Instructions and policies regarding the use of paging services are available through the individual academic departments.

 

9.    Some departments have access to voice mailboxes for residents.  Availability and instructions for use can be obtained in the individual academic departments.

 

Professional Memberships

 

1.     Physicians in accredited OUCM-T residency training programs may be elected to junior membership in the Tulsa County Medical Society.  Upon election, the applicant automatically becomes a junior member of the Oklahoma State Medical Association and American Medical Association.  Annual membership dues are paid for by OUCM-T.

 

2.     Memberships for corresponding professional organizations for osteopathic physicians will also be paid by OUCM-T.

 

 

Payment for Special License Fee

 

Upon completion of the resident’s Special License application, the $200 fee, paid by OUCM-T, is sent with the application by the Resident and Student Affairs Office to the Oklahoma State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision.  If for any reason the Special License must be renewed, payment of the renewal fee will be made by the resident’s program.

 

 

Banking Services

 

OU-Tulsa has made arrangements with three area banks and the Tulsa Teacher’s Credit Union to provide checking to resident physicians.  All residents are encouraged to have their paychecks electronically deposited in the bank of their choice.  Forms are available in the Human Resources Office.

 

 

OU Season Tickets

 

Residents may purchase, at reduced rates, season tickets to varsity athletic events of the University of Oklahoma.  Information may be obtained from the OU-Tulsa Student Affairs office in room 1C53.

 

 

Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

 

From time to time you may feel overwhelmed by stressful situations.  Dealing with work, relationships, family, and finances can get you down.  Talking to a professional counselor can help you gain a new perspective on your problems and find new resources to help you sort things out.

 

OU-Tulsa will provide up to six (6) appointments at no cost to you at any of the Family & Children’s Services locations.  EAP services are confidential.  The appointments are made away from work.  No one will know of your visit without your written consent.

 

Identify yourself as an OU-Tulsa employee who wants to use the EAP services.  The appointment coordinator will ask you a few questions to determine the best office location and counselor for you or your family.  For information call Family & Children’s Services at (918) 587-9471.


RESIDENT LEAVE REQUESTS

 

 

Educational Leave

 

Residents may request up to five days of educational leave each year.  The request should be submitted 90 days prior to requested leave date.  The meeting can be no more than one week in duration and must be within the USA.  Approval is granted solely at the discretion of each Program Director, who also determines the travel reimbursement policy for his specific residency program.

 

Residents are encouraged to allow the department support staff to handle travel arrangements in order to maximize reimbursement potential.  Commercial air travel must be booked by the resident’s academic department through approved travel agencies only.  There is NO reimbursement for air travel unless a State-approved travel agency is used.

 

The resident must submit receipts for all claims, hotel bills, and registration fees to the department support staff within 10 days following the meeting.  The staff will file the necessary travel reimbursement forms with the University Travel Office.  Reimbursement will be based only on those items documented with a receipt and in accordance with the current travel policy.

 

 

Vacation Leave

 

Each resident earns 15 days (M-F) of vacation leave per academic year.  Training regulations in some specialties limit the amount of leave, which may be taken by a resident to a lesser amount.  Earned but unused vacation time will not be carried over from one academic year to another except on an individual basis approved by the Program Director.  No payment will be made for unused vacation.

 

There is a legitimate need for Program Directors to be able to limit the number of residents who are absent at any one time and to otherwise assure continuity of quality health care for the patients on their service.

 

It is understood that scheduling vacation may be more difficult when a resident is rotating in or “visiting” another program for an educational experience.  The program providing the educational experience is referred to, as the “host” while the resident’s home program is the “visiting” program.

 

All “host” programs shall make vacation time available to “visiting” residents in proportion to the aggregate amount of time residents from the “visiting” program spend rotating in the “host” program.  This is inclusive of all programs.  For example, if four family practice residents each rotate for three months on the internal medicine service, they are providing twelve months or one full resident year of service for the internal medicine program.  Therefore, the internal medicine program would allocate three weeks (15 days) of vacation to the family practice residents who could request them on a first-come first-served basis.

 

Implementation of these policies and procedures is the responsibility of the individual Program Directors.  Exceptions to these guidelines shall be acceptable if approved by both the resident and the Program Director(s) involved.

 

 

Sick Leave

 

Sick leave accrues at the rate of 1Ľ days per month for a maximum of 15 working (M-F) days per year.  After the maximum accrual is used, leave without pay is possible, contingent upon approval by the Program Director.  (FMLA may apply.)

 

 

Holiday Leave

 

Residents do not receive credit for holiday time during hospital rotations.  Since hospitals do not observe a holiday schedule, residents are expected to follow their assigned schedule.  If vacation time is scheduled during a holiday period then the holiday must be scheduled as vacation.

 

If a resident is assigned to a clinic, which observes a holiday schedule, then the resident need not count that time toward his or her vacation time.

 

Residents should check with their academic departments for further clarification of holiday leave time.

 

 

Maternity Leave

 

Available sick leave, vacation time, or leave without pay may be used in accordance with the Family and Medical Leave Act guidelines as described on page 45.  Specific questions should be addressed to your Program Director.

 

 

Leaves of Absence

 

Leave Without Pay

Permission for leaves of absence without pay must be in writing and may be granted upon approval of the Program Director when it appears to be in the best interest of OUCM-T and the resident to do so.

 

1.     A leave of absence normally will not extend beyond the end of the academic year (June 30) and may be extended by approval of the Dean of OUCM-T upon the recommendation of the Program Director.

 

2.     After accrued sick leave and vacation benefits have been used, a disability leave of absence without pay may be granted for a period not to exceed six (6) months in length.  (See also FMLA, page 45.)

 

3.     All insurance premiums during a leave of absence without pay must be paid by the resident in order to maintain proper coverage, except as required by FMLA.

 

4.     Malpractice insurance coverage is not in force during a leave of absence without pay.  Premiums cannot be paid by the resident during a leave without pay in order to continue coverage.

 

Leave With Pay

Leaves of absence with pay may be granted under the following conditions:

 

Regular pay will be granted to an employee subpoenaed for jury duty or as a witness before a court of law, legislative committee, or judicial body.  However, the University does not pay employees for time they take to testify in non-work-related proceedings.

 

A sufficient period of time off with pay shall be granted for the purpose of voting in national, state, and local elections.

 

Military Leave of Absence

The University’s military leave policy is in conformance with applicable federal and state law.  In accordance with an opinion given by the attorney general, all continuous (excludes temporary) University employees working 25 hours per week or more are entitled to a leave of absence with pay for the first 20 calendar working days of military duty during any federal fiscal year (October 1 through September 30) as stipulated in the law when ordered to active or inactive duty.  The leave with pay shall not be charged against vacation leave or other accrued benefits.  Reinstatement following any leave of absence is to the position held at the time the leave was granted, or, if the position was subsequently deleted, to a comparable position in the same department.

 

 

IMPORTANT:

 

A resident failing to return to work upon expiration of a leave of absence, either with or without pay, may be considered to have terminated his or her service under unsatisfactory conditions.

 

Certification of successful completion of resident training will be provided only for those residents that have fulfilled all requirements of their specific residency programs, including fulfillment of time requirements.  Time away from the program, regardless of circumstances, must be made up to the satisfaction of the Program Director before a resident will be considered to have completed his or her resident training program.


GENERAL INFORMATION AND SERVICES

 

 

Office of Resident and Student Affairs

 

1.     The Office of Resident and Student Affairs provides administrative support services for students and residents and acts in a liaison capacity between the administration of OUCM-T, affiliated teaching institutions, the residents and students. 

 

2.     The Resident Program Specialist is available to answer questions; complete forms; process applications; assist in obtaining special and full medical licensure; ECFMG, DEA and OBNDD certifications; assist with USMLE and COMLEX applications; coordinate the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP); and perform a variety of other tasks.  The telephone number for this office is (918) 660-3505.

 

3.     The Associate Dean for Academic Services provides guidance to the resident, spouse, significant other and his or her family members, as well as consultation related to student teaching and evaluation strategies.

 

4.     The small number of students and residents at OUCM-T permits close, personal attention not only in the teaching programs but also in the services provided to its resident physicians.

 

 

Library

 

1.     The Library is located on the Schusterman Center campus, 4502 E. 41st Street, in Building 1 Hallway C near the Security Desk. 

Telephone: (918) 660-3220        FAX: (918) 660-3215

 

2.     The purpose of the Library is to meet the informational needs of its users for patient care, education and research.

 

 

 

 

 

3.     Library hours:  

Monday – Thursday        8:00AM – 10:00PM

Friday                           8:00AM – 9:00 PM

Saturday         9:00AM – 5:00PM

Sunday           1:00PM – 9:00PM

 

4.     The Library subscribes to over 600 clinically oriented journals and has over 9,000 books which may be checked out.

 

5.     Library services include literature searching, photocopying and document delivery.  Books and articles in journals not owned by the Library can be obtained through interlibrary loan.

 

6.     Requests for these materials may be made at the Library’s reference desk, by telephone or fax, and by e-mail.  (For electronic requests, follow the links on the campus home page, at http://www.tulsa.ouhsc.edu, through Library and then Interlibrary Loan Forms.)  Copies can be picked up at the Library or delivered through the University’s interoffice mail system.

 

7.     The Library has twenty-three computers for use by patrons.  All are connected to the Tulsa network and provide Internet access as well as various software programs.

 

8.     MEDLINE searching is available on all computers, on or off-campus.  The National Library of Medicine offers a free web-based program and PubMed, for searching MEDLINE at www.pubmed.gov .  PubMed includes a document delivery component called Loansome Doc, which enables users to order articles online from the Library as they search.  Another option for searching MEDLINE is the OVID software, which can be accessed, using an OUHSC user name and password, through the Library’s homepage.

 

9.     MDConsult, an online clinical information resource, is available to residents either on campus or from remote sites.  Both OVID and MDConsult include the option of printing some full-text articles as part of the MEDLINE component, and MDConsult in addition includes several standard textbooks, practice guidelines, and patient handouts in electronic format, fully searchable and printable.

10.  UpToDate, an evidence-based medicine resource for clinical information, is available on CD-Rom in the library.

 

 

Operations

 

The Operations Department, located in Building 6 on the Schusterman Center at 4502 E. 41st, supports the campus in the areas of security, mail services, transportation/motor pool, facility maintenance, and many other services.

 

 

Human Resources

 

The Human Resources Office, located in Building 1 at the Schusterman Center, Room 1C114, assists residents in enrolling for health and dental insurance benefits, answers any questions or problems concerning benefits, or in making changes in types of coverages.  Verifications of employment are also handled in this office.  Forms for changing tax withholding exemptions (W-4), and health and dental claim forms may be obtained from Human Resources office.

 

 

Resident Executive Council

 

1.     The OUCM-T Resident Executive Council was created to offer a forum where relationships between specialties as they relate to residents can be discussed.  Each department is represented on the Council by a resident and an alternate member.

 

2.     The Resident Executive Council usually meets once a quarter.  To provide optimal avenues of communication, the Dean, the Associate Dean for Academic Services, the Assistant Director of Resident and Student Affairs, the TMEF Liaison, and the Resident Program Specialist attend these meetings.  Minutes of the meetings are recorded, and the elected Chair of the Council (or his or her repre-sentative) is invited to the meetings of the Graduate Medical Education Committee.

 

 

 

 

 

Counseling and Guidance

 

1.     Counseling and guidance assistance for personal stresses which may have an impact on the professional, marital, physical and social well being of a resident, spouse, family member or significant other is available, by appropriate referral, through the Department Chair, a designated department faculty member, or the Associate Dean for Academic Services at the Schusterman Center, room 2B38.

 

2.     The Department of Psychiatry and the Associate Dean for Academic Services maintain a listing of various mental health professionals who are willing to provide services at a reduced rate.

 

3.     An Employee Assistance Program (EAP), providing evaluation, referral and counseling is available to all faculty, staff, and residents of OUCM-T through Family and Children’s Services, Inc.  There is no charge for this program, and up to 6 visits per year are allowed for residents.  Information is available from the Human Resources Office, or the resident may call the agency directly at 587-9471.

 

4.     The Oklahoma State Medical Association, through its Physician Recovery Program, provides assistance to doctors who have health problems related to alcohol and other drug addiction.  The Physician’s Confidential Assistance Line is (405) 691-7318.

 

5.     See pages 76 and 77 for the OUCM-T Policy on Prevention of Alcohol Abuse and Drug Use on Campus and in the Workplace.  The complete policy is available to all residents upon request from the Human Resources Office.

 

 

The Oklahoma Bioethics Center

 

The Center is located on the second floor of the Schusterman Center in Suite 2H11.  The purpose of the Center is to provide education, consultation, and research to meet the needs of Oklahoma healthcare professionals and students, who face the increasingly complex ethical issues in contemporary health care.  The Center provides monthly ethics rounds for residents in the various clinical departments at St. John Medical Center, Saint Francis Hospital and Hillcrest Medical Center, as well as regularly scheduled lectures on current subjects for each department throughout the year.  The Center presents 6 sessions of two hours to 3rd and 4th year students during each academic year.  In addition there is a one-month rotation bioethics elective for residents and 4th year students.  The staff is also available for private consultations as needed by calling 660-3212, by email to bioethics-center@ouhsc.edu or by paging Dr. Donovan through Medicall at 493-6000.

 

The Center contains a library of over 400 books, 25 videos, 40 audiotapes, 10 journal subscriptions, numerous pamphlets and several thousand articles divided by subject – all in the field of medical ethics.  In addition, subject searches for bioethical issues can be performed on request.

 

Center hours are Monday through Friday, 12:00PM to 4:00PM, and other times by appointment.  The telephone number is 660-3212.

 

 

The JUSTICE Center

 

The Children’s JUSTICE Center provides services for sexually and physically abused children.  The Center houses the University of Oklahoma Medical Staff, Child Abuse Network (CAN), Department of Human Services (DHS), Law Enforcement personnel, District Attorney, and Mental Health.

 

 

Office of Clinical Affairs

 

1.     The Office of Clinical Affairs is responsible for coordinating the activities of the various ambulatory clinics of OUCM-T and for collating data from all clinical operations.  Other responsibilities include assisting the Dean’s Office in facilitating relations with other clinical organizations, handling provider contracts, assuring compliance with regulatory bodies, and managing OU Physicians, OUCM-T’s faculty practice organization.

 

2.     The Office of Clinical Affairs/OU Physicians is located in the administrative headquarters of OUCM-T on the second floor of the Schusterman Center, 41st and Yale, corridor 2G.

Use of Classrooms and Conference Rooms

 

1.   Classroom facilities are available to educational, medical and related groups for classes, meetings and other activities when these activities are consistent with our existing mission and policies AND the facilities are not otherwise in use. 

 

2.   To reserve a classroom or conference room call the OU-Tulsa Office of Student Affairs at 660-3100

 

Secretarial Support

 

Resident requests for typing papers, letters, reports, schedules, case presentations, histories and physicals, etc., should be taken to the resident’s department.  Adequate advance notice must be given.  Completion of all resident typing is contingent upon established priorities in relation to the office staff’s regular work responsibilities.

 

 

Notary Public Service

 

Services of a notary public are available for official documents at no charge in either the academic departments or the Office of Resident and Student Affairs.

 

 

Oklahoma Motor Vehicle and Driver’s License

 

1.     Residents moving to Oklahoma from out-of-state must obtain an Oklahoma operator’s license and motor vehicle plates within 30 days of taking employment or establishing residency in Oklahoma.  A non-resident, for this purpose, is a person who resides in Oklahoma less than 30 days.

 

2.     For an operator’s license, a valid out-of-state driver’s license must be presented.  At that time, the following exams may be taken:  eye test, computerized test, and a driving exam.  A driver’s manual, for preparation of this exam, may be obtained from most Tag Agencies or from the Driver’s License Bureau located at 529 West A Street, Jenks.  The office number is (918) 299-2601.

 

 


RACIAL AND ETHNIC HARRASSMENT

 

 

Racial and Ethnic Harassment Policy

 

1.     Introduction

Diversity is one of the strengths of our society as well as one of the hallmarks of a great university.  The University of Oklahoma supports diversity and therefore is committed to maintaining employment and educational settings which are multicultural, multiethnic and multiracial.  Respecting cultural differences and promoting dignity among all members of the University community are responsibilities each of us must share.

 

Racial and ethnic harassment is a growing concern across American college campuses.  It has taken various forms, from criminal acts (assault and battery, vandalism, destruction of property) to anonymous, malicious intimidation, most often directed toward persons whose race or ethnicity is readily identifiable.  In employment, racial/ethnic harassment is race discrimination, which interferes with an employee’s ability to perform his or her duties or creates a hostile or intimidating work environment, prohibited by law under Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.  In the educational context, racial/ethnic harassment is race discrimination, which interferes with students’ opportunities to enjoy the educational program offered by the University, prohibited by law under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

 

2.     Policy Statement

            Principles of academic freedom and freedom of expression require tolerance of the expression of ideas and opinions, which may be offensive to some, and the University respects and upholds these principles.  The University also adheres to the laws prohibiting discrimination in employment and education.  The University recognizes that conduct which constitutes racial/ethnic harassment in employment or educational programs and activities shall be prohibited and is subject to remedial or corrective action as set forth in this policy.  This policy is premised on the University’s obligation to provide a nondiscriminatory environment, which is conducive to employment and learning.  The University will vigorously exercise its authority to protect employees and students from harassment by agents or employees of the University, students, and visitors or guests.  Specifically,

 

a.     Agents or employees of the University, acting within the scope of their official duties, shall not treat an individual differently on the basis of race, color, or national origin in the context of an employment or educational program or activity without a legitimate nondiscriminatory reason, so as to interfere with or limit the ability of the individual to participate in or benefit from the services, activities or privileges provided by the University; and,

 

b.     The University shall not subject an individual to different treatment on the basis of race by effectively causing, encouraging, accepting, tolerating or failing to correct a racially hostile environment of which it has notice.

 

3.     Remedies or Corrective Actions

            Violations of this policy shall result in corrective action(s) or remedy(ies) designed to reestablish an employment or educational environment, which is conducive to work, or learning.  Corrective actions or remedies will include disciplinary action directed by the executive officer having responsibility for the offender, where appropriate.  Remedies or corrective actions will be tailored to redress the specific problem and may range from apologies, mandatory attendance at specific training programs, reprimands, suspension, demotion, to expulsion or termination.  Remedies or corrective actions shall be based upon the facts and circumstances of each case and shall be in accordance with the terms and guidelines of the applicable campus grievance procedures.

 

Violations of this policy by students will be considered as violations of the Student Code and subject student offenders to the remedy(ies) and corrective action(s) provided by the code.

 

4.     Administrative Action

a.     The University recognizes its obligation to address incidents of racial/ethnic harassment on campus when it becomes aware of their existence even if no complaints are filed; therefore, the University reserves the right to take appropriate action unilaterally under this policy.

 

b.     With respect to students, the Vice President for Student Affairs/Vice Provost for Educational Services or other appropriate persons in authority may take immediate administrative or disciplinary action, which is deemed necessary for the welfare or safety of the University Community.  Any student so affected must be granted due process including a proper hearing.  Any hearing involving disciplinary suspension or expulsion shall be conducted by a campus disciplinary council in accordance with Title 13, Section 1.2. of the Student Code.  Lesser administrative or disciplinary action may be appealed to the Vice President for Student Affairs/Vice Provost for Educational Services.  Such requests must be in writing and filed within seven calendar days following the summary action.  The vice President for Student Affairs/Vice Provost for Educational Services will issue a written determination to the student within three working days following the date the request is received.

     

c.     With respect to employees, upon a determination at any stage in the investigation or grievance procedure that the continued performance of either party’s regular duties or University responsibilities would be inappropriate, the proper executive officer may suspend or reassign said duties or responsibilities or place the individual on leave of absence pending the completion of the investigation or grievance procedure.

 

5.     Retaliation

Threats or other forms of intimidation or retaliation against complaining witnesses, other witnesses, any reviewing officer, or any review panel shall constitute a separate violation of this policy which may be subject to direct administrative action.

 

6.  Complaint Process

The complaint procedures delineated herein applies to all students, faculty, staff, guests or visitors.

 

Complaints alleging violation of the Racial and Ethnic Harassment Policy will be reviewed and investigated by the appropriate University office. Complaints may be resolved informally or may proceed through the applicable formal complaint proceedings.  Complaints may be filed in the following manner:

 

a.     Complaints against students or student organizations shall be filed with the Affirmative Action Office (AAO) for review and investigation.  The AAO, or its designee, may assist in the informal resolution of the complaint or in processing a complaint through the applicable campus procedures.

 

b.     Complaints against faculty or staff shall be filed with the Affirmative Action Office.  The AAO or its designee may assist in the informal resolution of the complaint or in processing a complaint through the applicable campus procedures for faculty and staff.

 

c.     Complaints against contractors working on University premises shall be filed with the Affirmative Action Office. The AAO or its designee may assist in the informal resolution of the complaint or in processing a complaint through the applicable campus procedures for faculty, staff and students.

 

d.     Complaints against visitors or guests should be directed to the University police office on the campus. The campus police will forward informational copies of all reports and inquiries dealing with discrimination, harassment or hate crimes to the AAO.

 

7.    Responsible Official

The Affirmative Action Officer is charged with the responsibility for administering this policy.  The Affirmative Action Office will serve as a repository for all records of complaints, investigative reports, and remedies/corrective actions in connection with this policy.  The Affirmative Action Office is the overall co-ordinator of all university activities dealing with discrimination in employment or education.

 

       To contact the Affirmative Action Office:

 

       Norman Campus                   Health Sciences Center Campus

       Room 102, Evans Hall           Room 111, Library Building

       (405) 325-3546                      (405) 271-2110


SEXUAL HARASSMENT

 

 

Sexual Harassment

 

1.  Statement

The University of Oklahoma explicitly condemns sexual harassment of students, staff, and faculty. Sexual harassment is unlawful and may subject those who engage in it to University sanctions as well as civil and criminal penalties.

 

When criminal action is pursued in addition to an administrative grievance under this policy, the EO/AA Office will coordinate its investigative actions with the University or local law enforcement authorities to ensure that criminal prosecution is not jeopardized.  The EO/AA Officer may defer administrative action at the request of University or local law enforcement authorities, pending completion of the criminal investigation.  Where review by the EO/AA Officer or other University executive officer determines that immediate administrative action is necessary for the safety, health and well being of the campus community, such action may be taken in advance of resolution of criminal charges.

 

Since some members of the University community hold positions of authority that may involve the legitimate exercise of power over others, it is their responsibility to be sensitive to that power.  Faculty and supervisors in particular, in their relationships with students and subordinates, need to be aware of potential conflicts of interest and the possible compromise of their evaluative capacity.  Because there is an inherent power difference in these relationships, the potential exists for the less powerful person to perceive a coercive element in suggestions regarding activities outside those appropriate to the professional relationship.  It is the responsibility of faculty and staff to behave in such a manner that their words or actions cannot reasonably be perceived as sexually coercive, abusive, or exploitive. Sexual harassment also can involve relationships among equals as when repeated advances, demeaning verbal behavior, or offensive physical contact interfere with an individual's ability to work and study productively.

 

The University is committed to providing an environment of study and work free from sexual harassment and to insuring the accessibility of appropriate grievance procedures for addressing all complaints regarding sexual harassment.  The University reserves the right, however, to deal administratively with sexual harassment issues whenever becoming aware of their existence.  Records of all complaints, except for hearings before the Faculty Appeals Board, shall be transmitted to and maintained by the Affirmative Action Officer as confidential records.

 

The University encourages victims to report instances of sexual assault or other sex offenses, either forcible or non-forcible.  In addition to internal grievance procedures, victims are encouraged to file complaints or reports with campus security or local law enforcement agencies by telephoning 911, as soon as possible after the offense occurs in order to preserve evidence necessary to the proof of criminal offenses.  The campus police department is available to assist victims in filing reports with other law enforcement agencies.

 

2.  Definition of Sexual Harassment

Sexual harassment shall be defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature in the following context:

 

a.     when submission to such conduct is made either explicitly or implicitly a term or condition of an individual's employment or academic standing, or

 

b.     when submission to or rejection of such conduct by an individual is used as the basis for employment or academic decisions affecting such individual, or

 

c.     when such conduct has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with an individual's work or academic performance or creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive working or academic environment.

 

3.  Examples of Prohibited Conduct

Conduct prohibited by this policy may include, but is not limited to:

 

a.     Unwelcome sexual flirtation; advances or propositions for sexual activity.

b.     Continued or repeated verbal abuse of a sexual nature, such as suggestive comments and sexually explicit jokes.

c.     Sexually degrading language to describe an individual.

d.     Remarks of a sexual nature to describe a person’s body or clothing.

e.     Display of sexually demeaning objects and pictures.

f.      Offensive physical contact, such as unwelcome touching, pinching, brushing the body.

g.     Coerced sexual intercourse.

h.    Sexual assault.

i.      Rape, date or acquaintance rape, or other sex offences, forcible or non-forcible.

j.      Actions indicating that benefits will be gained or lost based on response to sexual advances.

 

4.    Retaliation

Any attempt to penalize or retaliate against a person for filing a complaint or participating in the investigation of a complaint of sexual harassment will be treated as a separate and distinct violation of University Policy.

 

5.    Sanctions

Appropriate disciplinary action may include a range of        actions up to and including dismissal and/or expulsion.

 

6.     Complaint Procedure

Complaints alleging a violation of the Sexual Harassment/ Sexual Assault Policy shall be handled in accordance with the Grievance Procedure for Complaints Based Upon Discrimination, Sexual Harassment, Consensual Sexual Relationships or Racial and Ethnic Harassment.  To contact the University Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Office:

                     

                      Norman Campus            Health Sciences Center

                      Room 102, Evans Hall    Room 111, Library Building

                      (405) 325-3546               (405) 271-2110

 

These procedures can be obtained from the Office of Resident and Student Affairs or the Human Resources Office.

 

 


Consensual Sexual Relationships Policy

 

Rationale

 

1.     The University’s educational mission is promoted by professionalism in faculty-student relationships.  Pro-fessionalism is fostered by an atmosphere of mutual trust and respect.  Actions of faculty members and students that harm this atmosphere undermine professionalism and hinder fulfillment of the University’s educational mission.  Trust and respect are diminished when those in positions of authority abuse, or appear to abuse, their power.  Those who abuse, or appear to abuse, their power in such a context violate their duty to the University community.

 

2.     Faculty members exercise power over students, whether in giving them praise or criticism, evaluating them, making recommendations for their further studies or their future employment, or conferring any other benefits on them.  Amorous relationships between faculty members and students are wrong when the faculty member has professional responsibility for the student.  Such situation greatly increases the chances that the faculty member will abuse his or her power and sexually exploit the student.  Voluntary consent by the student in such a relationship is suspect, given the fundamentally asymmetric nature of the relationship.  Moreover, other students and faculty may be affected by such unprofessional behavior because it places the faculty member in a position to favor or advance one student’s interest at the expense of others and implicitly makes obtaining benefits contingent on amorous or sexual favors.  Therefore, the University will view it as unethical if faculty members engage in amorous relations with students enrolled in their classes or subject to their supervision, even when both parties appear to have consented to the relationship.

 

3.     As with faculty, staff may also be in a position to exert authority and control over students.  Staff, too, must be conscious of the potential for abuse of power inherent in their relationships with students.  Students rely on staff for assistance and guidance in dealing with issues such as scheduling of classes, financial aid, tutoring, housing, meals, employment, educational programs, social activities and many other aspects of University life.  Those who deal with students are expected to provide them with support and positive reinforcement.  Staff who would deal with students in a sexual manner abuse, or appear to abuse, their power and violate their duty to the University community.

 

Definitions

 

As used in this policy, the terms “faculty” or “faculty member” mean all those who teach at the University, and include graduate students with teaching responsibilities and other instructional personnel.  The terms “staff” or “staff members” mean all employees who are not faculty, and include academic and non-academic administrators as well as supervisory personnel.  The term “consensual sexual relationship” may include amorous or romantic relationships, and it intended to indicate conduct, which goes beyond what a person of ordinary sensibilities would believe to be a collegial or professional relationship. 

 

Policy

 

Faculty/Student Relationships

 

1.     Within the Instructional Context

 

It is considered a serious breach of professional ethics for a member of the faculty to initiate or acquiesce in a sexual relationship with a student who is enrolled in a course being taught by the faculty member or whose academic work (including work as a teaching assistant) is being supervised by the faculty member.

 

2.     Outside the Instructional Context

 

Sexual relationships between faculty members and students occurring outside the instructional context may lead to difficulties.  Particularly when the faculty member and student are in the same academic unit or in units that are academically allied, relationships that the parties view as consensual may appear to others to be exploitative.  Further, in such situations the faculty member may face serious conflicts of interest and should be careful to distance himself or herself from any decisions that may reward or penalize the student involved.  A faculty member who fails to withdraw from participation in activities or decisions that may reward or penalize a student with whom the faculty member has or has had an amorous relationship will be deemed to have violated his or her ethical obligation to the student, to other students, to colleagues, and to the University.

 

3.     Staff/Student Relationships

 

Consensual sexual relationships between staff and students are prohibited in cases where the staff member has authority or control over the student.  A staff member who fails to withdraw from participation in activities or decisions that may reward or penalize a student with whom the staff member has or has had an amorous relationship will be deemed to have violated his or her ethical obligation to the student, to other students, to colleagues, and to the University.

 

 

Complaint Procedure

 

Complaints alleging a violation of the Consensual Sexual Relationships Policy shall be handled in accordance with the Grievance Procedure For Complaints Based Upon Discrimination, Sexual Harassment, Consensual Sexual Relationships or Racial and Ethnic Harassment. To contact the University Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Office:

 

Norman Campus                                 Health Sciences Center

Room 102, Evans Hall                         Room 111, Library Building

(405) 325-3546                                    (405) 271-2110

 

(Regents, 9-27-95)

 

These procedures may be obtained through the Office of Resident & Student Affairs or the Office of Human Resources.


PHYSICIAN RECOVERY PROGRAM

FOR RESIDENTS

 

 

University of Oklahoma College of Medicine-Tulsa

 

The College of Medicine-Tulsa is the sponsoring institution for graduate medical education at the University of Oklahoma Health Sciences Center, Tulsa Campus.  The College recognizes the importance of providing an avenue for intervention and treatment for physicians in residency and/or fellowship training who develop or have alcohol or other chemical dependence problems.  The College and its residency programs want our residents to understand that there is a desire to work with them in a strongly supportive manner for their rehabilitation if they are discovered to have a chemical dependence problem.

 

The College of Medicine has developed working agreements with the Oklahoma State Medical Association’s Physician Recovery Program as a method to deal with these problems and develop workable recovery programs.

 

Physician Recovery Program

 

The Physician Recovery Program (PRP) is a special program of the Oklahoma State Medical Association (OSMA).  The program’s purpose is to provide a peer-sponsored program for those physicians (including residents) who have developed a chemical dependence problem.

 

The program approaches individuals suffering chemical dependence with the following resources: (1) a method for confronting physicians regarding their problems, (2) provides a mechanism for evaluation of chemical dependence problems, and (3) identifies appropriate treatment programs for these individuals.

 

The PRP officially works with allopathic physicians, osteopathic physicians, physician assistants, and dentists.  It also provides services to residents in graduate medical education programs and to medical students. The Oklahoma State Board of Medical Licensure and Supervision has recognized the PRP for its activities, and the Board allows the OSMA to supervise physicians who voluntarily commit to its program and ongoing monitoring activities.  The Board generally respects the confidentiality of the PRP program.

Procedures for Residents

(Note:  the following is the usual, though not only, procedure.)

 

1.     The residency program director contacts the Chair of the OSMA PRP Committee to discuss options for dealing with a resident who is discovered to have a problem or potential problem.