ChristianaCare's Top Reputation and Premium Value for Medical Residents
Medical residents at ChristianaCare are part of a network of non-profit teaching hospitals serving Delaware and portions of seven counties bordering the state in Pennsylvania, Maryland, and New Jersey. The 906-bed Christiana Hospital in Newark is the state's only adult Level I trauma center and its largest maternity center, boasting 17 residency programs. If you are a medical resident at ChristianaCare, you have access to premier education and instruction, providing an excellent base on which to build a rewarding medical career.
While becoming a medical resident at ChristianaCare is a bright beginning to a promising career, it's not an easy journey. Even though a residency program is aimed at on-the-job training, there are still guidelines overseeing academics, personal behavior, and progression through the program. Just because you're out of the lecture halls full-time doesn't mean misconduct won't garner corrective action.
Medical Resident Policies at ChristianaCare
All medical residency programs will have standards that each individual must meet as they progress through the program toward becoming a fully-licensed doctor. Each of ChristianaCare's residency programs maintains separate policies setting forth the standards of medical care. Yet, ChristianaCare has general institution policies for all medical residents, including those covering the following:
- Disciplinary action
- Impairment and drug screening
- Moonlighting and volunteering
- Performance improvement
- Resident appointment, eligibility, evaluation, promotion, selection, and dismissal
- Restrictive covenants (non-competition agreements)
- Voting membership
Most of the network's policies are based on upholding ethical guidelines from the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education in promoting the education, health, and support of ChristianaCare residents and the care provided to patients. The goal is to aid medical residents in the critical knowledge and application of scientific research, patient care standard, and case formulation while maintaining professionalism and accountability in clinical and training situations.
Risks of Violating ChristianaCare Medical Resident Policies
ChristianaCare's institutional and program-specific policies assert that medical residents are expected to take on increasing responsibility throughout their residency that is consistent with their individual growth. If residents fail to meet performance or professionalism standards and have issues with progression requirements, they may be subject to disciplinary action, including dismissal from the program.
ChristianaCare states that residents may be subject to remedial or corrective action because of the following:
- Disruptions to hospital or program operations
- Impairing the integrity of the program
- Incompetence
- Jeopardizing hospital operations
- Misconduct
- Presenting as a danger to oneself, patients, or others
- Violation of laws, regulations, and/or hospital or program policies
ChristianaCare's Disciplinary Measures and Procedures state that informal corrective measures may be handed down without a formal hearing, wherein the Program Director consults the Clinical Competency Committee (CCC) to determine a course of action. Typically, a meeting between the resident and the Program Director, CCC, or both will be conducted as an Independent Evaluation that will consider an appropriate plan to address a resident's behavioral or performance issue. Yet, if a separation from studies is possible, the residency Program Director must discuss the allegations with the Designated Institutional Official (DIO).
Disciplinary Procedures for ChristianaCare Medical Residents and the Appeals Process
Luckily, the above policies include procedures offering medical residents the chance to appeal sanctions before they negatively affect the resident's placement and progression in the program. Although informal counseling or delaying promotion or completion of a program year level may not be appealed, other corrective actions can be. ChristianaCare states that residents are afforded a right to appeal when the following sanctions are handed down:
- Summary Dismissal
- Dismissal for Academic Reasons
- Non-Renewal of Agreement of Appointment
Within five business days of a written or emailed notice of such punishments, the resident must send the DIO a written request for an appeal. If a resident fails to request an appeal within that time period, they will waive their right to petition sanctions, and the decision by the DIO or CCC will be final. After a timely request for an appeal, the DIO will appoint a three-member Academic Appeal Review Committee. A resident may have one opportunity to challenge the appointment of any of the Committee members to the DIO, made in writing within five business days of the appointment, specifying the reasons that prevent the individual from being objective with respect to the matter involved.
An official hearing will occur within 30 days from the Committee's appointment, and the resident must appear in person. A ChristianaCare faculty member may accompany the resident to the appeal hearing to provide support and advice. Since the proceedings are academic in nature, ChristianaCare says the resident “shall not be entitled to legal representation.” The resident may secure up to three witnesses to give prepared statements and then answer questions given by the Committee, and residents may make a statement at the beginning and end of the proceedings. Following the procedure, which will last no more than four hours, the Committee will meet in an executive session to deliberate and arrive at a decision.
ChristianaCare Medical Resident Winning Representation
Although you may be afforded some semblance of due process as a ChristianaCare medical resident, it isn't a good idea to presume fairness. Only a proven attorney-advisor can ensure that your rights will be defended. ChristianaCare may maintain official grievance procedures affording the opportunity for due process, but that is no guarantee. Retain premier medical resident attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento and the Lento Law Firm Team to ensure that ChristianaCare allows you to explain why you should remain in the program. Attorney-advisor Lento can coach you on how to provide a compelling defense, communicate with program officials, and help you gather and present evidence and testimony absolving you of misconduct. He and his medical resident defense team can also ensure you don't waive your right to appeal, generate strategies for disciplinary relief, and negotiate alternative solutions through the institution's general counsel. If you must withdraw from your ChristianaCare residency program, Joseph D. Lento can help you exit on better terms that keep the door open for your return. Get the qualified help you need to preserve your medical education and career, and don't face the situation alone. Retain premier medical resident attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento by calling 888-535-3686 or visiting the confidential online consultation form.
