BASIC PURPOSE:

Positions in this job family are assigned responsibilities related to conducting investigations involving the enforcement of laws such as the Medical Practice Act, the Osteopathic Medical Practice Act, and the State Dental Act, or insuring that licensed physicians and other professionals placed on probation or post-probation are in compliance with the terms of the probation.

TYPICAL FUNCTIONS:

The functions within this job family will vary by level, but may include the following:

• Organizes and conducts investigations of alleged or suspected violations of medical and dental laws, rules and regulations, including allegations of malpractice, gross negligence, incompetence, abuse, misuse or diversion of prescription drugs, fraud, and other professional misconduct; may exercise the general powers of a peace officer and be required to carry a firearm and use deadly force as required.

• Obtains information and gathers facts by conducting interviews with principles, complainants, witnesses and other sources; obtains biological fluid samples and other evidence and maintains evidentiary chain of custody; evaluates findings of investigations; prepares reports and recommendations for consideration in administrative hearings or legal action; provides testimony in such actions as required.

• Assists physicians and other persons placed on official probation; monitors activities of persons on probation or in post-probation status or under voluntary supervision; submits probationary reports; assists dysfunctional professionals in locating, or entering into, appropriate rehabilitation programs; reviews existing programs for appropriateness.

• Conducts pharmacy surveys and inspections and develops evidence pertaining to the excessive, illegal or inappropriate prescription of controlled dangerous substances by persons under investigation.

• Serves legal documents such as citations and subpoenas; retrieves revoked or suspended licenses; interviews applicants for licensure in furtherance of licensing requirements.

• Works with federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, as needed, on investigations; represents the agency before meetings of professional organizations, seminars, and training programs.

LEVEL DESCRIPTORS:

This job family consists of five levels which are distinguished based on the level of responsibility assigned, the expertise required to complete assigned duties, and the responsibility assigned for providing leadership to others or directing assigned programs.

Level I:             Code: J55A             Salary Band: H

This is the basic level of this job family where employees are assigned responsibilities involving entry level duties in a training status and are assigned routine investigations. Training is provided on agency policies and procedures and various laws, rules and regulations concerning the profession for which responsibilities are assigned.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include knowledge of modern criminal investigative techniques; of state and federal laws pertaining to narcotics and dangerous drugs; of laws and court decisions concerning invasion of privacy and search, seizure and arrest; of the scope, application and interpretation of laws and regulations relating to investigating records, reports and other documents; of laws and regulations relating to investigating, interviewing and interrogating witnesses, suspects and informants; of firearm safety practices; and of the control distribution and appropriate usage of schedule drugs from manufacturers to consumers. Ability is required to conduct several investigations simultaneously; to present clear and accurate court testimony; to maintain a chain of custody over evidence collected; to establish and maintain effective working relationships with others; to organize and present facts and opinions clearly and concisely, both orally and in writing; and to obtain biological fluid samples.

Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of a bachelor's degree or an equivalent combination of education and experience, substituting one year of professional-level experience in social work, criminal investigation, probation and parole, nursing, pharmacology or medical records supervision for each year of the required education.

This is the career level of this job family where employees are assigned duties at the full performance level and perform a full range of duties in conducting required investigations and insuring compliance with all laws, rules and regulations concerning the practice of medicine or dentistry. Responsibilities may also be assigned for providing training and assistance to other investigators or for serving as investigator-in-charge- on complex cases.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include those identified in Level I plus demonstrated ability to conduct all types of investigations involving the profession for which responsibilities are assigned.

Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of those identified in Level I plus one additional year of qualifying experience.

Level III:             Code: J55C             Salary Band: J

This is the specialist level of this job family where employees are assigned responsibilities for insuring that licensed physicians and other professionals placed on probation or post-probation are in compliance with the terms of probation and applicable laws, rules and regulations. In this role they will review compliance of the probationer with the stipulations and terms of probation, assess adjustment to probationary status, evaluate the status of the professional in regards to returning to active status, and perform other related duties.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include those identified in Level II plus knowledge of the theory and techniques of substance abuse and recovery; of public and private services available to persons placed on probation; of laws and rules governing probation; of interventions confrontation techniques and of public relations principles. Ability is required to organize and present substance abuse training; and to work in avoidance of hostile actions.

Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of those identified in Level II plus two additional years of qualifying experience.

This is the leadership level of this job family where employees are assigned responsibilities involving the supervision of others in conducting medical, dental, or other related investigations to insure compliance with applicable laws, rules and regulations concerning the practice of medicine or dentistry. In this role they will plan, coordinate and participate in the development and conducting of various investigations, review reports of other investigative staff, and make recommendations concerning the disposition of assigned cases.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include those identified in Level III plus knowledge of supervisory principles and practices and skill in supervising the work of others.

Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of those identified in Level III plus one additional year of qualifying experience.

Level V:             Code: J55E             Salary Band: L

At this level employees are assigned responsibilities involving the direction of a Medical Investigations Division or program, including the supervision of lower level supervisors. In this role they will develop and implement required policies and procedures, initiate investigations as needed, plan and direct staff training activities, and perform other related duties to insure completion of division activities.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities required at this level include those identified in Level IV plus knowledge of management and personnel practices; and of budget preparation. Ability is required to write policy and procedure guidelines; and to formulate, interpret and understand statistical information on criminal and investigative activity.

Education and Experience requirements at this level consist of those identified in Level IV plus one additional year of qualifying experience in a supervisory, managerial or administrative capacity.

SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:

Some positions may have the following additional requirements:

Applicants must possess the ability and willingness to perform job-related travel; willingness to carry a firearm and use deadly force as required; have and maintain physical and mental stamina to perform the work and willingness to accept the physical discomforts and/or dangers inherent in the work; be willing to be on call twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week; be willing to travel frequently and be away from home for extended periods of time; be willing to transfer where needed and to accept assignments anywhere in the state; pass a rigid character and background investigation and within twelve months successfully complete all requirements to become a certified peace officer as required by 59 O.S. 1989, Section 512.