Are you a doctor, dentist, nurse or a pharmacist?

If you are a licensed medical professional, a DUI can not only keep you off the road, it can put the brakes on your career. A DUI is a very serious charge that not only carries penalties in court, it could also carry heavy consequences with your medical license.

Your Medical License could be Suspended

Did you know that a doctor or dentist convicted of a DUI can be subjected to a hearing by the Medical Board in which your character and fitness to practice medicine will be questioned and evaluated. Depending on the details of your case, you may even face a suspension or revocation.

Here is an example from right here in Central PA:

Medical board suspends doctor after DUI charge

Randy Griffith rgriffith@tribdem.com

JOHNSTOWN — A Southmont physician’s medical license has been suspended for at least three years following a drunken driving charge dating from March of last year.

The State Board of Osteopathic Medicine suspended the license of Daniel J. Yost, 41, of the 100 block of Daisy Street, through May 2014, the Bureau of Professional and Occupational Affairs announced.

Yost, an osteopathic doctor of family medicine, was already facing professional disciplinary action when he was arrested by West Hills police on March 25, 2010, the state board’s documents show.

Renewal of your License

A physician may be denied a license by the PA State Board of Medicine under Section 63 P.S. § 422.22(b). Similarly, a dentist may be be denied renewal by the State Board of Dentistry under Section 63 P.S. § 122(c).

As a nurse, a DUI conviction may affect your status in front of the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing at biennial renewal under Section 63 P.S. § 216(c), Depending on your disciplinary history, you may be subject to sanctions against your nursing license.

As a pharmacist, the Professional Compliance Office of PA State Board of Pharmacy requires the reporting of convictions. You may be referred to the Professional Health Monitoring Programs or Voluntary Recovery Program for an evaluation. Once again, this may result in the suspension of your license. Please refer to Section 63 P.S. § 390-3(a)(6).

These consequences are all in addition to what you face in court, which may include fines, jail time, and a suspension of your driver’s license. Just imagine how not being able to drive can affect your career! Imagine if you have to miss out on work because you are stuck in jail. What effects will that have on your reputation?

Your Reputation is on the Line

On top of that there are many political factors that may come into play. A DUI conviction can easily be found on a background check app. Not only will colleagues know about your DUI but so will hospital staff and patients. That type of news can wreak havoc on your reputation.
In fact, anyone who is licensed in PA can be looked up by anyone with an internet connection to see their disciplinary history:
Search the PA Discipline history of occupational license holders in PA.

IMPORTANT NOTE: If your DUI charge involved a Controlled Substance, it is a much more serious charge because of the ramifications on your professional license.

What About Your Professional Insurance

Even if you are spared from direct sanction by the licensing board, your professional insurance rules may come into play. It is typical for you to face higher premiums for your professional insurance or you may even be denied coverage altogether. With no insurance you can’t work.

But there is hope.

At The McShane Firm, over 70% of our clients are professionals like you. We understand what is at stake here. We understand that above all you want to protect your career. We are all professionals as well and have families like you do. We care about how this issue will affect you today and down the road.
Hundreds of hard working medical professionals like you have chosen The McShane Firm because of our experience and scientific knowledge. They found us to be a life saver for them in a critical time.
If you want to save your career then call us today at 1-866-MCSHANE for your free case consultation.

Justin McShane

PA DUI attorney Justin J. McShane is the President/CEO of The McShane Firm, LLC - Pennsylvania's top criminal law and DUI law firm. He is the highest rated DUI attorney in PA as rated by Avvo.com. Justin McShane is a double Board certified attorney. He is the first and so far the only Pennsylvania attorney to achieve American Bar Association recognized board certification in DUI defense from the National College for DUI Defense, Inc. He is also a Board Certified Criminal Trial Advocate by the National Board of Trial Advocacy, a Pennsylvania Supreme Court Approved Agency.