Description 

Registered nurses and other health care professionals are not immune from the diseases of substance use disorder. Experts estimate that at least 10 percent of the general population will have a problem with alcohol or drugs at some point in their lives. Health care professionals, including registered nurses, may be particularly susceptible to substance abuse problems due to the stresses of working in a health care environment as well as an increased opportunity to obtain controlled
substances.

This one-day seminar is designed to provide hospitals with critical information on the BRN Intervention Program. Presented by project manager Virginia Matthews and program analyst Gina Skinner, the session also looks at the stigma of drug addiction, diversion program controversies — and data on the program’s effectiveness.

Course Objectives 

At the conclusion of the program, participating health care managers will be able to:

• Understand the disease of substance use disorder and its impact

• Identify the signs and symptoms of impairment in the workplace 

• Learn about the BRN program and its role in ensuring safe health care

• Know the manager’s role in supporting a successful return to safe practice 

Who Should Attend?

Executives, directors, managers, nursing supervisors, human resources managers, pharmacy managers, rehabilitation specialists and physician assistants.

Speakers

Virginia Matthews, RN, BSN, MBA, Project Manager, MAXIMUS California Health Professionals Diversion Program, has more than 30 years of experience in health care delivery both in direct clinical care and administrative settings. Currently project manager with BRN contractor MAXIMUS, her prior experience includes serving as vice president, clinical systems for a major psychiatric hospital company in Southern California as well as a consultant to multiple psychiatric and substance abuse facilities.

Shannon Johnson, BRN Deputy Chief of Enforcement, is responsible for the board’s discipline, probation and intervention units. She previously served the board as deputy chief of enforcement responsible for the board’s complaint intake and investigation programs. Prior to these positions, she held the position of discipline manager and was also a probation monitor. Her staff processes over 1,000 disciplinary cases a year, working closely with the Attorney General’s office. Johnson has a bachelor’s degree in business with a focus on management and currently has over 24 years in management, the last nine being at the BRN.

Joseph Pacheco, BRN Deputy Chief of Enforcement, is responsible for the board’s complaint intake and investigation programs, and previously served the board as Northern California supervising special investigator. Pacheco’s team is responsible for nearly 9,000 applicant and licensee complaints and over 1,000 filed investigations annually. He has 23 years experience in medical-legal roles in California state government. Pacheco holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice administration from Cal State East Bay.

Sheryl K. Horwitz, Counsel, Sidley Austin LLP, handles all facets of labor and employment law, with an emphasis on wage and hour class actions and employment law compliance. Horwitz defends companies in nationwide and local wage and hour class actions—as well as discrimination, wrongful termination and other employment-related litigation at the administrative agency, trial court and appellate court levels. She also counsels employers on the full array of personnel policies and procedures, employee disciplinary matters, leaves of absence and reasonable accommodations, employee handbooks, employment and executive contracts and severance agreements.

Agenda

Cost

• $260 HASC Hospital Member (per registrant)
• $270 Non-acute stakeholder (per registrant)
• $230 Groups of 3 or more from same facility (per registrant when registering at the same time)
• $230 Student (per registrant)