Medical Residencies at Reading Hospital
Are you a Reading Hospital resident? If so, then take a moment to congratulate yourself. You're training at a well-respected medical center which is part of the nationally recognized Tower Health system, with close ties to schools such as Drexel University College of Medicine. At this point, you're well on your way to a successful medical career. However, every residency post comes with its challenges. If you are dealing with medical residency issues or the threat of dismissal, then the LLF Law Firm Team want to help. Call them now at 888.535.3686 to tell them about your case.
Reading Hospital Resident Policies
If you're a Reading Hospital resident, you should follow the policies and conduct codes contained in the Tower Health Graduate Medical Education Residency & Fellowship Manual. This comprehensive manual covers everything you need to know about working as a Reading Hospital resident, including:
- criteria for renewing your appointment
- expected work hours and moonlighting
- how to recognize signs of impairment or burnout
- the process for challenging sanctions
The manual also covers general standards of behavior and performance expectations. For example, you are expected to:
- be compassionate and respectful
- dress professionally
- take responsibility for your own development
- treat patients with dignity
- use your time at work productively
You should familiarize yourself with any applicable department policies which govern your conduct during your residency.
Disciplinary Action at Reading Hospital
You could face disciplinary action at Reading Hospital for any policy breach. Examples of what incidents may trigger disciplinary action include:
- being convicted of certain crimes while employed as a resident
- endangering patient safety
- failing to make satisfactory progress
- serious academic or clinical performance deficiencies
- unprofessional behavior towards peers, hospital employees, or patients
You might also face corrective action, such as verbal or written warnings, for behaving in a way that falls below hospital expectations.
Under Tower Health's Adverse Actions and Due Process Policy, the hospital must provide residents with written notice of disciplinary actions against them. The only exceptions are if the hospital is dismissing or suspending the resident with immediate effect.
Consequences of Violating Medical Resident Policies
Violating Reading Hospital policies could have far-reaching consequences for your professional ambitions. In the most difficult situations, you could lose your place in the program. If your contract is terminated, you may struggle to find an alternative residency spot elsewhere, which places your entire career in jeopardy.
Even in less serious cases, the consequences are still significant. Failing to progress through your residency as expected could put you in financial difficulty, and it may also damage your professional reputation. And if you are suspended, you may be required to make up for the time lost to ensure there are no gaps in your training. Or if you receive an “Academic Deficiency Notice,” you may be placed under closer supervision or receive special assignments, which could make you doubt your own capabilities.
The attorney's at LLF Law Firm want to help you minimize these consequences as much as possible – call them now to arrange a consultation regarding misconduct issues.
Challenging Disciplinary Action at Reading Hospital
At Reading Hospital, residents have the right to challenge certain “adverse actions” (disciplinary actions) taken against them. According to the Adverse Actions and Due Process Policy, you can appeal the following sanctions:
- Dismissal: A dismissal means losing your place in the program, so you cannot complete your residency training.
- Non-Promotion: This is when the hospital refuses to promote your resident to the next training year.
- Non-Renewal: In some situations, the hospital may elect not to renew your training contract with them.
- Suspension: A suspension prevents you from participating in your clinical duties.
You can appeal these sanctions by submitting a review request to Tower Health's Designated Institutional Official (DIO) in Academic Affairs within ten days of receiving notice of the sanctions. You should then be offered a formal hearing, at which point you can prepare your own evidence and call your own witnesses.
Significantly, you are entitled to legal counsel during the hearing. Given how complex these proceedings can be and how much is at stake, it's strongly advised that you take advantage of this opportunity. A student defense attorney from LLF Law Firm can represent you at this hearing, and will help you prepare a defense to the accusations.
Outcome of the Hearing
The Hearing Committee may either dismiss your appeal and uphold the sanction e.g., dismissal or suspension, or they could grant your appeal and dismiss the action against you. They could also determine that an alternative sanction is more appropriate or proportionate, depending on the facts of your case. In all scenarios, the Hearing Committee will make a final decision after considering the appeal and the evidence submitted, and their decision is binding.
Medical Resident Defense Attorney | LLF Law Firm
Your future is on the line when you're facing disciplinary action. Even if you retain your place in the residency program, the damage to your professional reputation can be significant. After working and studying so hard to make your dreams a reality, you deserve a chance to defend yourself against any accusations and explain your side of the story.
If you're dealing with a medical residency issue, you deserve compassionate representation from an attorney who understands how to navigate the complex disciplinary procedures involved. You need someone by your side who is passionate about helping you resolve matters quickly with as little disruption to your career as possible.
That's where the LLF Law Firm comes in. Our experienced student defense attorneys, are committed to helping medical residents fight for the second chance they deserve. They will support you through the process, help you gather evidence in your defense, and ensure that Reading Hospital implements its own grievance procedures properly. To learn more, contact the LLF Law Firm and the Student Defense Team at 888.535.3686 now.
