(1) It is the intent of the Board that the consultant appointed by the Department pursuant to Florida Statutes § 474.221, to act as liaison between the Board and impaired veterinarians and providers, have discretion and flexibility to assist the impaired veterinarian in selecting a treatment resource which will provide appropriate treatment consistent with the impaired veterinarian’s condition and professional, personal and financial responsibilities.
    (2) Programs and professionals as described below may be approved as providers of treatment for impaired veterinarians, as such programs are referred to in Florida Statutes § 474.221, upon application to the Board and recommendation by the consultant.
    (a) Treatment programs recognized and approved by the Florida Medical Foundation which provide services to veterinarians.
    (b) Alcohol, drug abuse and mental illness treatment programs offered by JCAH approved and Florida licensed hospitals.
    (c) Facilities as defined in part 1, chapter 394, F.S. (The Florida Mental Health Act).
    (d) Alcohol treatment resources as defined in chapter 396, F.S. (Comprehensive Alcoholism Prevention Control and Treatment Act).
    (e) Drug abuse treatment resources and education centers as defined in chapter 397, F.S.
    (f) Psychiatric physicians who can demonstrate their training, competence and standard of practice by submitting information which would include, but not necessarily be limited to, specialty certification, faculty rank and recommendation by medical and psychiatric societies.
    (g) Appropriate monitoring and after-care programs as recommended by the consultant after discussions with the program.
    (3) In the event that the consultant shall determine that a licensed or accredited treatment resource other than one described by the above classifications is best suited to the needs and circumstances of an impaired veterinarian, the consultant may grant temporary approval for such resource to provide services to impaired veterinarians, and shall generate an application to the Board for approval of the resource or class of resource at the earliest meeting of the Board, at which such item of business could be taken up according to the provisions of the Administrative Procedures Act.
    (4) In the event that the consultant shall determine that a particular program provider is unable to provide appropriate treatment for impaired professionals, he may recommend to the Board that the program be disapproved. Such disapproval shall not prevent a program provider from subsequently making another application.
Rulemaking Authority 474.206 FS. Law Implemented Florida Statutes § 474.221. History-New 10-17-85, Formerly 21X-20.01, 21X-20.001.