University of Kansas Hospital Residents
The University of Kansas Hospital, part of the University of Kansas Health System, is a prestigious and respected institution. If you complete your residency here, you will be pushed to reach your full potential and become the best doctor you can be.
However, working as a medical resident means carrying a huge amount of responsibility on your shoulders. You must conform to high standards of clinical competence and professional behavior, and you should demonstrate an unwavering commitment to safe patient care. If the hospital brings your professional performance or competency into question, the Lento Law Firm may be able to help. Call us now at 888.535.3686 to discuss your medical residency issues.
Policies at University of Kansas Hospital
If you're currently a resident at the University of Kansas Hospital, you should be familiar with the various policies which affect your day-to-day work. Although each department may have its own policies you should abide by, the most important hospital-wide documents you should be aware of include the following.
Policies and Procedures Governing Graduate Medical Education
According to hospital guidelines, the GME policies and procedures set by the University of Kansas School of Medicine govern the rights, responsibilities, and conduct of hospital residents. This handbook covers all residents working at the University of Kansas Hospital and associated medical centers. The handbook contains provisions on, for example:
- appointment and reappointment
- dress code
- professional behavior
- substance abuse
- vacation, benefits, and leave time
Significantly, it also sets out specific resident responsibilities, such as providing approved care and medical services, behaving compassionately towards patients, and taking charge of their own learning and professional growth. Residents facing disciplinary or remedial action can refer to the handbook for guidance on what the sanctions mean and how they can be challenged.
University of Kansas Hospital Policy Violations
Any breach of the hospital or university policies, whether it's a misconduct issue or a performance problem, could result in further action against the resident. The sanctions a resident might face include remedial and disciplinary actions.
Remedial Actions
Residents with alleged “academic deficiencies” or performance issues could face corrective actions. This could mean supervising the resident more closely or setting them a comprehensive learning plan.
The resident may be placed on probation for more serious deficiencies, such as unprofessional behavior, poor performance, or failure to show an expected rate of clinical and academic progression.
Disciplinary Actions
Residents may be suspended or have their contracts terminated in certain circumstances. There's also the chance that the hospital will not renew the contract at the end of the contractual 12-month period. Misconduct that could lead to disciplinary action includes:
- consistently poor performance
- failure to remediate issues
- unprofessional behavior
- unsafe patient care
Residents may also be placed on “administrative leave,” which gives them time to appeal disciplinary action or meet with their Program Director to discuss remedial action.
Consequences of Remedial or Disciplinary Action
As a resident, you're at a critical point in your career. You're trying to build your professional network, expand your knowledge, and develop the clinical skills you'll need to flourish as a medical professional. Any disciplinary or remedial action could leave a blemish on your reputation and make it more challenging for you to progress in your chosen field. Don't let a sanction jeopardize your professional ambitions – call the Lento Law Firm for help.
Grievance Procedures for Residents
University of Kansas Hospital residents can challenge certain sanctions known through the grievance process. These sanctions include non-promotion, suspension, dismissal, and any remedial action which could threaten a resident's chances of progression, e.g., probation or repeating rotations.
The grievance process is less formal than the appeal procedure, which is reserved for the most serious disciplinary matters. It typically involves meeting with the Department Chair or Program Director to discuss the matter – the Lento Law Firm can help you present your case in the most favorable way.
Less serious remedial actions, such as learning improvement plans, cannot be challenged through the hospital's grievance process. These actions are final.
Appeal Procedure
If a resident faces suspension or dismissal, they can appeal the hospital's decision and make a written request for a hearing. Residents cannot appeal non-promotion or non-renewal of their contract – the only option for these sanctions is to pursue the less formal grievance procedure outlined above.
At the hearing, residents have the right to present their own evidence, call witnesses, rebut the hospital's evidence, and challenge hospital witnesses. They can also present a written statement outlining their defense and explaining why they should be reinstated.
Appeals are complex matters. Attorney-advisor Joseph Lento can help you build a strong defense and present your position in a compelling way. He will do everything possible to help you secure a satisfactory outcome.
Joseph Lento Medical Resident Attorney-Advisor
After investing so much time and effort into your professional training, you deserve the opportunity to reach your full potential. However, even a seemingly minor policy violation could hinder your career progression, and in the most severe cases, you could lose your shot at completing your residency at all.
Although you might feel overwhelmed by the prospect of disciplinary or remedial action, any medical residency problem must be confronted without delay. Joseph Lento, an experienced attorney-advisor, will do everything possible to help you handle performance issues or misconduct allegations at the University of Kansas Hospital. He can explain how you might best challenge accusations made against you, and, where possible, he can help you mitigate the long-term consequences of remedial action on your career.
Joseph Lento is committed to helping you achieve your professional dreams. Let him stand by your side – don't feel like you need to handle such complex and significant disciplinary matters alone. If you need help with a residency issue, whether it concerns your performance or misconduct allegations, don't hesitate to call the Lento Law Firm for support at 888.535.3686 or leave our Education Law Team a message online.
