University of Virginia Medical Center Top Value and Reputation
The University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville (UVA) endeavors to create a diverse and inclusive environment with the hopes of training well-rounded physicians who will provide patient-centered care to their communities. As such, residents are expected to follow certain guidelines, both academically and professionally.
Sometimes though, the pressure and stress are overwhelming, causing residents to act differently. When this happens, medical residents run the risk of being referred for disciplinary proceedings, which can have serious consequences for their future as medical professionals.
If you or someone you love is a medical resident and has been accused of violating their hospital's guidelines, Attorney Joseph D. Lento can help ease the burden. Call today.
Medical Resident Policies at UVA Medical Center
Most hospitals only care about their reputation and how they are seen by new and returning patients. When accepting graduates into their program, they tend to look for individuals with high GPAs and competitive resumes. To ensure their medical residents are strengthening their hospital standing, they also require them to follow a specific set of rules and regulations.
At UVA Medical Center, medical residents are given a copy of the guidelines and are expected to become familiar with them prior to orientation. While hospitals differ on what is included in the guidelines, they tend to ask residents to:
- Abstain from using or possessing substances and alcohol while on call or at work.
- Ask supervising physicians for help when the necessary knowledge is above their current level.
- Uphold patient confidentiality.
- Offer empathetic, courteous, and professional care to all patients and their families.
- Treat supervisors, hospital staff, and colleagues with respect.
- Arrive on time and prepared.
- Follow the hospital's dress code for medical residents.
- Uphold the reputation of the hospital even when outside of work.
- Refrain from destroying hospital or personal property.
- Abstain from harassing or bullying behavior with patients, their family, hospital staff, colleagues, and supervisors.
If a medical resident at UVA is suspected of disobeying the hospital's rules, they tend to be referred for disciplinary action, which could include punishments such as loss of privileges, suspension, and expulsion. The gravity of the punishment is supposed to match the severity of the alleged conduct. Sometimes though, hospital disciplinary committees will force their medical residents to suffer through unnecessarily harsh punishment. The best way to ensure this does not happen to you is to work with a medical resident defense attorney advisor.
Risks of Violating the UVA Medical Center Medical Resident Policies
The purpose of the medical residency is for hospitals to give new medical school graduates an opportunity for real-world applications of the information they learned during school. UVA Medical Center is focused on training medical professionals who will treat diverse patient populations with dedicated empathy and care. When a student disobeys the hospital's rules, they are impeding that goal. Because of this, hospitals are keen on punishing students for adverse conduct to ensure other students understand that the behavior is inappropriate.
If a student is found responsible for the action and punished, it can have a disastrous effect on their entire lives. For instance, if they are dismissed from the program and cannot get into another residency program, they will not be able to work as a physician. This new reality can really affect their mental health, sending even emotionally stable residents into major depressive episodes. Additionally, they will still have to pay back their medical school loans, which can be very difficult without a physician's income at their disposal.
Moreover, even if a student is found not responsible for the accused conduct, they may still carry the stress of the proceedings long after they are over. Some may even decide to drop out of their residency because of it. If this happens, they will be facing the same issues as residents who were removed in a disciplinary hearing.
Attorney Lento has spent years helping medical residents navigate these disciplinary proceedings. He understands what's at stake and how to build a strong defense on your behalf.
Protective Procedures for UVA Medical Center Medical Residents
Like most schools in America, medical residency programs give their residents a chance to face their accusers and defend themselves against hospital policy violation accusations. The exact process will vary depending on the hospital, but for the most part, they all follow the same steps.
When a resident is accused of violating the policy, the accuser will notify the hospital. The hospital administration will then reach out and notify the resident of the issue and conduct an informal interview to learn more. If they determine that there is enough evidence to suggest the student did violate the policy, they will set up a formal hearing.
At the hearing, both the student and the hospital representative or accuser will present their argument as to why the student is, or is not, responsible for the accused conduct. To bring a proper defense, it is important to present evidence and witness testimony that will strengthen your argument. Once the accused student and hospital have each presented, they will both have an opportunity to cross-examine the other side's witnesses and evidence.
If the idea of coming up with and presenting a defense seems overwhelming, or you are unsure of where to start, Attorney Lento can help.
Winning Representation for UVA Medical Center Medical Residents
Attorney Joseph D. Lento is a highly skilled medical resident attorney advisor who has spent his career helping hundreds of residents navigate disciplinary proceedings. He understands how difficult it can be to successfully proceed through such hearings and will work tirelessly to ensure a strong defense. In addition, he will work with the hospital on your behalf in an effort to help you return to the program later and complete it. Call 888-535-3686 today or schedule a consultation online.
