A peer assistance program for registered, professional nurses will identify, assist, and monitor professional colleagues with job impairing mental health, alcohol, or drug problems so they may continue to practice nursing.

1. (1) Additional criteria.

   1. (A) The program will provide statewide peer advocacy services available to all registered nurses impaired by chemical abuse or mental illness.
   2. (B) The program shall have a statewide monitoring system that will be able to track the nurse while preserving anonymity.
   3. (C) The program shall provide a network of trained peer intervenors located throughout the state.
   4. (D) The program shall have a written plan for the education and training of intervenors and other program personnel.
   5. (E) The program shall have a written plan for the education of registered nurses, other practitioners, and employers.
   6. (F) The program shall have a mechanism for documenting program compliance and for timely reporting of noncompliance to the board. Reports of noncompliance shall include information regarding registered nurses who have been reported in accordance with the requirements of Texas Civil Statutes, Article 4525a.
   7. (G) The program shall demonstrate financial stability and funding sufficient to operate the program.
   8. (H) The program shall collect and make available to the board and other appropriate persons data relating to impaired professional nurses and the success/failure of peer assistance.
   9. (I) The program shall have a written plan for a systematic total program evaluation.
   10. (J) The program shall be subject to periodic evaluation by the board or its designee.
   11. (K) Counselors utilized by the peer assistance program shall meet the minimum criteria for counselors as established by the board.
   12. (L) The program shall establish a plan to verify previous disciplinary action relative to impairment prior to admitting a nurse to the peer assistance program.
   13. (M) If there has been any prior disciplinary action by the board, the program may report the impaired nurse to the board.
2. (2) Contractual agreement. The approved program(s) will enter into a contractual agreement with the board to provide the services of an impaired professional program. Said contract can be withdrawn for noncompliance and is subject to annual review and renewal.

Source Note:The provisions of this §217.16 adopted to be effective August 19, 1986, 11 TexReg 3484; amended to be effective August 17, 1990, 15 TexReg 4435.