As a certified podiatrist in San Francisco, you risk losing your career if someone files a formal complaint against you with the Board of Podiatric Medicine. An investigation by the board can result in license revocation, taking away a career and livelihood you have worked very hard to build. You can change your case’s outcome by acting quickly to dispute the allegations. Even a trivial accusation can profoundly affect your reputation, job, and career.
We help licensed experts like you fight for their livelihood at San Francisco License Attorney. We believe everyone deserves a second chance, regardless of how severe the allegations against them are. We can streamline the administrative process for you, defend your rights, and represent you in all your hearings to improve your chances of obtaining a fair resolution for the case.
An Overview of What Modern Podiatrists Do
As a professional foot doctor, your duty as a podiatrist entails ensuring that your patient’s feet and ankles remain functional in all circumstances. Your training mainly provides expertise in ankle and foot health. This includes leading in supporting patients with long-term conditions that affect their food and ankle health, including diabetes, arthritis, and cardiovascular diseases. Your role is invaluable, as many people complain of foot-related issues, especially in old age.
However, you require expert training and extensive experience to provide quality, safe, timely services as a certified podiatrist. This means several years in school, a few years of on-the-job training, and additional training to obtain a license and necessary certification. Once you have the proper training and documents, you can work in hospital settings or open your practice. Earning a living as a podiatrist does not happen without obtaining the necessary qualifications and requirements. Thus, it would be a significant loss if you were to lose your career to an allegation by a dissatisfied patient or jealous colleague.
Sadly, the Board of Podiatric Medicine receives complaints and allegations against licensed professionals. Some allegations are factual, while others are untrue and unsubstantiated. The board must first determine the authenticity of an allegation before taking action against you. If the board suspects that the allegation against you is credible, it will lodge an investigation. You must prepare for when you will be called to answer the allegations to compel the board to reconsider its decision or rule daily.
The support of a competent license attorney is critical if you face a formal accusation or are under the board’s investigation. The attorney will ensure you understand the allegations against you, possible penalties by the board, and the best defense strategies to fight for a fair outcome. They also remain by your side throughout the investigation and hearing for physical and emotional support.
The Work of the Board of Podiatric Medicine
The Board of Podiatric Medicine does not exist to support licensed podiatrists but for the public. Its principal mandate is to ensure patients and the public receive safe, timely, and professional services from licensed professionals. If the board feels that you will not offer the level of service it envisions or intends for the public, it can deny your license application regardless of your qualifications. The strict requirements during license issuance mean that the board is unwilling to accept less than its required standard in service delivery. It also has different forms of discipline for licensed professionals who violate the set rules and the code of ethics for podiatrists in California.
The board’s concern is safeguarding the interests of patients and the public. To achieve this, the board sets operations standards for podiatrists against which you must not operate. It also has disciplinary actions for various violations, from the least severe to the gravest violations in the industry. Thus, the board officials do not overlook any violation. It will take action, provided there is evidence to show that you violated a particular standard, rule, or operation. Sometimes, it overlooks mitigating factors, provided proof of violation could result in a wrongful conviction. You need a lawyer to fight for you to avoid facing severe consequences for a minor violation or for a violation you did not commit.
When the board receives a report of your violation, it focuses on protecting the public and your clients. The board will not be interested in the circumstances that led to the violation. It will not even consider whether this is your first violation and how well you have performed in the past. You can face a severe penalty for a minor violation you did not intend without proper defense. Your lawyer will present your defense, defend your rights, and fight for your license and reputation. They will tell the board how hard you have worked to obtain your license and what it means to you, your dependents, and your clients to retain it.
Violations That Can Result in Discipline by the Board of Podiatric Medicine
There are many ways to violate the code of conduct for professional podiatrists in California. The board has listed some violations and how the board disciplines those who commit the offenses. Your attorney will ensure you understand the nature and severity of your violation, and possible consequences. They can also help develop a strategy that could compel the board to dismiss your charges or take a more lenient disciplinary action against you. Here are some of the actions or inactions you must not be accused of:
- Committing a felony or misdemeanor, or an arrest for a felony or misdemeanor that substantially prevents you from offering safe or professional services
- Committing any form of fraud, including insurance fraud
- Being negligent or incompetent when discharging your services
- Abandoning a patient
- Refusing or neglecting to make referrals when a patient requires the help of another professional
- Working or operating your service without a valid license
- Hiring or supervising incompetent assistants
- Obtaining your permit through fraud
- Committing any kind of unprofessional behavior with a patient or colleague
- Falsifying medical documents
- Failing to keep patient documents properly
- Abusing or using drugs or alcohol while at work
The complete list of allegations that can trigger discipline by the board is on the board’s website. You should familiarize yourself with the information on the board’s website regarding disciplinary actions and administrative processes to prepare well for your defense. An experienced license attorney can also help you navigate the processes effortlessly. Once you determine the kind of allegation you face and the possible penalties, you can plan a solid defense to protect your career and reputation.
How the Board of Podiatric Medicine Disciplines Licensed Podiatrists
After unprofessional conduct, the board considers many factors when deciding what to do with you. First on the list of factors is how severe the allegations you face are. A severe violation will likely receive a harsher penalty than a minor violation. But you need a solid defense to avoid facing a severe action that could result in the revocation of your license or a damaged reputation. The board will also consider your past performance and whether this is your first violation. A repeat offender will likely face a more severe punishment than a first offender.
The outcome or possible outcome of your violation is also necessary in considering the penalty you deserve for your violation. The board takes violations that result in or are likely to result in damages seriously. For example, if a patient suffers physical harm or death due to your actions or omissions, you could lose your license to a revocation.
The board makes these decisions during the investigations and communicates them to you during the hearing. You will receive a notice of the hearing immediately after the board starts investigating you so that you can prepare for it. You must hire an attorney immediately for assistance in preparing the evidence and defense. Your attorney will also advise you on what you can and should not do during the investigation and hearing to avoid worsening your situation.
If the board finds you guilty of a minor violation, it could issue a citation or a reprimand letter. These disciplinary actions are mainly for minor violations, whereby no one was hurt or suffered any damage due to your actions. Although you continue working and earning a livelihood after the citation or reprimand, you can lose your good reputation. You could lose your job or patients if someone finds out about the citation or reprimands from the board’s website.
The judges can temporarily suspend your license to enable you to seek treatment or take the necessary measures to correct the behavior that led to the violation. For example, if you have an alcohol or drug addiction and are likely to change after treatment or therapy, the board can give you a second chance. However, you will stop earning a living during the suspension. You must also apply for a license reinstatement at the end of the suspension. The board will consider your performance during suspension to determine your suitability for license reinstatement.
If your violation caused your patient harm or death or someone else was hurt due to your actions, the board can revoke your license. Revocation means taking away your license and ability to work as a podiatrist for good. The board only uses this severe disciplinary action when a licensed professional puts the public at risk of harm.
If you have worked very hard to obtain your license, you can defend it with the support of a skilled attorney. Your attorney can prepare a statement in your favor, demonstrating your excellent past performance, remorse, and willingness to undergo treatment or rehabilitation to avoid future violations. If their defense is accepted, the board can reconsider its harsh discipline, suspend your charges, or opt for a more lenient discipline.
You can also fight for your reputation if you feel that a public reprimand or citation will affect your relationship with your patients, colleagues, or employer. A skilled lawyer will do everything possible to ensure that the board rules in your favor.
How to Navigate the Complex Administrative Process
If you are new to the administrative process, navigating it alone could be difficult. These processes are complex, with requirements and deadlines to meet before moving from one process to another. The help of a skilled lawyer is invaluable at that moment, as it ensures you go through the process successfully, even as you continue attending to your patients and discharging your duties.
You are advised to hire an attorney right after receiving a notice for an investigation and hearing by the Board of Podiatric Medicine. Choose an attorney who understands how administrative procedures work. They must also have experience in professional license defense.
Your attorney will begin by reviewing your case and helping you understand its severity. They can determine the evidence the board has against you and prepare for defense. Your attorney will represent you in the hearings and speak on your behalf to protect you from self-incrimination. They will stick by your side during the most challenging time of your life.
A skilled attorney will also meet all deadlines set by the administrative judges for case review, evidence submission, and hearings. You will have help reinstating your license if the board suspends it or puts you on probation. This removes all your worries and increases your chances of enjoying a good outcome.
Find Reputable License Defense Services Near Me
A professional misconduct allegation can affect your podiatric license and reputation as a certified professional. It can cause you a career that has cost you money and taken a long time to build. You can defend your podiatrist license and career with the support of a competent license attorney.
Our San Francisco License Attorney attorneys have the expertise and experience you need to obtain a positive outcome for the case. We also offer invaluable advice and support during the most challenging time of your life. We will not rest until you are satisfied with the board’s final ruling. Call us at 415-919-6594 right after receiving a notice of investigation in San Franciso. Let us begin the administrative process with you.
