University of Colorado Hospital Residents
Are you a University of Colorado Hospital (UCH) resident? If so, then you have a great deal to be proud of. As part of the UCHealth system, you're working at one of Colorado's leading medical centers, so you can expect training that will challenge your abilities and give you the skills you'll need to succeed in the medical profession.
You're at a critical point in your career. And while you might hope that your residency will progress smoothly, there's always the chance that a performance issue or misconduct allegation could derail your prospects. The Lento Law Firm can help if you're facing a medical residency issue – call Joseph Lento, an experienced attorney-advisor, at 888.535.3686 to learn more.
UCH Medical Resident Policies
UCH partners with the University of Colorado School of Medicine to deliver medical residencies across various departments. As such, residents must adhere to the policies set by the school's graduate medical education (GME) department. The most significant policies include the following.
- Evaluation and Promotion Policy: The policy describes how the hospital evaluates resident performance to determine their suitability for promotion.
- Moonlighting Policy: This policy sets out the rules around moonlighting while working as a resident at UCH.
- Prescription Policy: Under this policy, it's prohibited to write prescriptions for yourself, your family, or your friends while you're still a resident.
- Professionalism Policy: The Professionalism Policy sets out your professional responsibilities, such as delivering safe care, attending training, self-monitoring for fatigue, and dressing professionally.
- Remediation, Disciplinary Action, and Grievance Policy: This policy sets out what action may be taken against residents with alleged performance problems or those facing misconduct issues.
- Resident Professional Review Process: These guidelines explain how patient care incidents should be investigated.
You will also be expected to follow any department-specific regulations as set by your Program Director. If you're unsure which policies apply to you, reach out to your department for help.
Violations of UCH Resident Policies
As a medical resident, you're responsible for providing high-quality patient care, taking control of your professional development, and behaving appropriately toward colleagues and patients. Any alleged breach of the UCH resident policies may be considered a violation – and this could mean you face disciplinary action.
Behavior that could result in sanctions includes, but is not limited to, the following.
- Absences without sufficient (or any) explanation
- Failure to correct learning development issues
- HIPAA violations
- Reckless patient care
- Repeated performance deficiencies
- Sexual relations with a current or recent patient
Sanctions are grouped into two categories: remedial action and disciplinary action. The sanctions a resident could face depend on the type of accusation made against them.
- Remedial action is designed to correct alleged performance issues, gaps in learning, or behavioral concerns.
- Disciplinary action may be taken for conduct that falls below expected UCH resident standards. The alleged misconduct may be more serious in nature than conduct that results in remedial action.
Consequences of Policy Violations
Residents facing remedial action could be placed under greater supervision or required to follow a customized learning plan. They may also be required to repeat a rotation, depending on the alleged issue.
Disciplinary action is typically more serious in nature and includes probation, suspension, dismissal, non-promotion, or non-renewal of the residency contract. Any such sanctions could seriously jeopardize your career prospects and, in some cases, make it impossible for you to complete your residency at all.
No matter the sanctions you're facing, they must be handled promptly. Joseph Lento and his Medical Resident Team can help – contact the Lento Law Firm urgently if you're dealing with sanctions during your residency at UCH.
The UCH Medical Resident Grievance Process
As a resident, you should expect to be always treated fairly. The hospital must apply its own due process policies consistently, and you deserve a fair chance to defend yourself against serious accusations and disciplinary action.
Any resident facing suspension, non-renewal, non-promotion, or dismissal can appeal the sanctions by following the UCH grievance process. The procedure typically involves making a written appeal within ten days of receiving notice of disciplinary action.
- The appeal should clearly state the facts of the incident, why the disciplinary action is inappropriate, and what resolution the resident seeks.
- In some cases, residents may be allowed to resign rather than be dismissed; however, triggering the appeals process means this right is no longer available.
- Prior to the hearing, residents can submit their own evidence, e.g., witness statements and documentation.
- Residents can have a legal advisor present at their appeal hearing.
Given how much is at stake at this time, you should make full use of the hospital's grievance process and consider appealing any disciplinary action taken against you. Joseph Lento can help you present a compelling case or, where appropriate, guide you through the resignation or withdrawal process.
UCH Medical Resident Attorney-Advisor at the Lento Law Firm
Your residency is your chance to shine. It's your opportunity to show the medical world what you're capable of and to develop the skills you'll need to flourish as a doctor. However, life doesn't always work out exactly to plan, and if you're facing a performance issue or a misconduct allegation, you need the right support to guide you through this time.
At the Lento Law Firm, attorney-advisor Joseph Lento wants to help. He understands how hard you've worked to become a resident, and he wants to ensure you get the chance you deserve to succeed. Whether you're facing suspension, dismissal, or another resident sanction, he can support you and help you negotiate the most favorable possible outcome. He and his Medical Resident Team will walk you through how to build your case and explain how to navigate the hospital's grievance procedures effectively.
Don't feel like you're facing medical residency issues alone. Joseph Lento, an experienced attorney-advisor, wants to stand by your side. Let him help you today – call 888.535.3686 or leave us a message online.
