The MetroHealth System is a non-profit, public healthcare system established in 1837 in Cleveland, Ohio. It includes four hospitals, 20 health centers, and 40 sites that employ over 7,700 employees. Moreover, the system has a stellar residency program that allows medical residents to benefit from high-caliber training alongside peers and supervisors. If you are a medical resident at MetroHealth, you have multiple opportunities to excel and establish your practice. However, MetroHealth also imposes strict standards for medical residents due to its significant community responsibility. These standards include professionalism, ethical behavior, satisfactory progress, and other similar expectations befitting your profession.
Being a medical resident at MetroHealth System is a badge of honor that allows you to enhance your experience and build an outstanding career. Although no medical resident at MetroHealth System enters their program expecting to conduct violations, mistakes happen. Your supervisors understand that errors are a regular part of your progress, but some have more severe implications than others. If you do not follow these standards, you risk getting into trouble with your supervisors and facing sanctions that include probation, suspension, or dismissal. You must address the situation immediately if you face allegations of unprofessionalism, lack of ethics, progress issues, or behavioral issues. However, never try to do this alone – you need the help of a skilled attorney-advisor who understands your predicament and works hard for a favorable outcome.
Medical Resident Policies at MetroHealth System
Since 1957, the MetroHealth System/Case Western Reserve University PM&R Residency Program has accreditation by the ACGME. It selects six residents from among more than 500 medical student candidates each year. This selective process means that as a medical resident, you must follow the policies outlined on its website. The guidelines extend to multiple areas such as medical, parental, caregiver, and leave as well as the code of conduct and professionalism. Below are the policies and what they relate to the residency program:
- Resident Medical, Parental, Caregiver, and Leave Policy: Deals with all matters about vacation, leave, effects of leave, and graduation and board eligibility
- The Code of Ethical Behavior: Deals with ethical conduct at MetroHealth System and details professionalism and behavioral expectations by the institution
- Conflict of Interest Policy: This policy details examples of potential conflicts of interest, offers the disclosure statement, and outlines the board of trustee policy
- Human Resources Policy: Details the specifics of criminal activity reporting, drug policy, non-discrimination and equal employment opportunity, vaccination programs, and workplace harassment
- Objectivity Policy: Details expectations requiring that staff is objective in research, including conflict of interest disclosure
- Procurement: Deals with procurement, management, and disposal policies
All medical residents attending this competitive program must abide strictly by the guidelines or face repercussions that harm their progress.
Risk of Violating MetroHealth System Policies
The MetroHealth System established a compliance and ethics program to minimize the occurrence of unwanted behavior. It strictly maintains and enforces compliance, as all residents and staff are responsible for their patients, peers, and supervisors. According to the Code of Conduct, the MetroHealth System expects compliance with all standards, laws, and regulations, as failure to do so leads to a loss of trust between colleagues, patients, and the community. Failure to do so leads to consequences, both individually and systemwide.
Medical residents who chronically underperform, cannot demonstrate professional behavior, commit ethical violations, and don't have good behavior may face sanctions. Although you may try your best to avoid violations, mistakes happen that cause significant delays and reputation damage. Dismissal from the program comes with multiple long-term and short-term consequences.
Protective Procedures for MetroHealth System Medical Residents
According to the Code of Conduct at MetroHealth System, the institution takes a proactive stance to manage conflicts before they arise. However, since no process is foolproof, the system established the Ethics and Compliance standards to deal with issues that have to do with violations. Although this process is not available to the public, all medical residents have the chance to defend themselves and have the right to due process. When you face an allegation of unethical behavior, policy violations, misconduct, lack of progress, or behavioral issues, you may want to face the problem or give in to your emotions. Although you are angry, the best route is to understand the allegations and what you need to do to avoid disrupting your program. Since the residency is selective, losing placement leads to multiple issues in the future, such as reputation loss and difficulty finding another program.
Instead of lashing out or giving in to despair, call an expert who understands the implications of such allegations. An attorney-advisor knows the stakes and how hard you worked to reach your residency program. With the right approach and sound advice, you can rest easier knowing that a professional is helping you when you need it most.
Winning Representation for MetroHealth System Residents
Being a medical resident at MetroHealth System potentially catapults your career to another level. With the training and program excellence, you are enhancing your practice and experience to deal with real-world scenarios as a doctor every day. But when you face allegations that disrupt your progress and path, you need the expert guidance of a professional attorney-advisor.
Attorney Joseph D. Lento has years of experience working with medical residents countrywide. With his attention to detail and complete dedication to clients, Attorney Lento works hard to help you attain a favorable outcome. Attorney Lento listens to you and goes over your issue in detail. With his knowledge of due process protocols for medical residencies, Attorney Lento creates a plan to decrease the damage with you.
You worked for years and spent countless hours studying and toiling to finish medical school. Your residency is a stepping stone to your career – it should not be the end of the road. If you or someone you love face allegations of unprofessionalism, ethical violations, or progress issues at MetroHealth System, there is help. Call the Lento Law Firm Team today for a detailed consultation at 888-535-3686.
