(a) The Arkansas State Board of Nursing shall create an alternative to discipline program which shall:
(1) Serve as a diversion program to which the board may refer licensees when appropriate in lieu of or in addition to other disciplinary action; and
(2) Be a source of referral for nurses who, on a strictly voluntary basis, desire to avail themselves of its services.
(b) The board may perform the following duties and powers while operating the alternative to discipline program:
(1) Approve addiction evaluators and treatment programs available through the alternative to discipline program;
(2) Contract with providers of treatment programs;
(3) Receive and evaluate reports of suspected impairment, regardless of the source of the report;
(4) Intervene in cases of verified impairment;
(5) Refer impaired nurses to the program coordinator of the alternative to discipline program or another treatment program, or both;
(6) Monitor the treatment and rehabilitation of impaired nurses and the post-treatment of impaired nurses who are rehabilitated; and
(7) Perform other activities deemed necessary to accomplish the purposes of this subchapter.
(c)
(1) The board shall employ a program coordinator to organize and administer the alternative to discipline program.
(2) The program coordinator shall:
(A) Review and evaluate nurses who request participation in or are recommended for the alternative to discipline program;
(B) Review and designate treatment facilities and services to which nurses in the program may be referred;
(C) Receipt and review of information relating to the participation of nurses in the program;
(D) Preparation of reports for the board; and
(E) Other duties as deemed necessary by the board.
(3)
(A) The board shall review the activities of the program coordinator.
(B) As part of this evaluation, the board may review files of all participants in the alternative to discipline program.
(C) The board shall also resolve complaints voiced regarding the alternative to discipline program.
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