You worked so hard to become a nurse. A South Carolina Board of Nursing complaint is a threat to your reputation, your career, and your livelihood. Your whole career could be at risk if you suddenly receive a letter from the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing and Regulation (LLR) Office of General Counsel, Disciplinary Counsel about allegations of professional misconduct against you. We can help you avoid making a huge mistake. You may not have been told that you can seek your own independent legal advice before even considering signing LLR’s proposed Consent Agreement. Jeffcoat Criminal Defense Lawyers has the knowledge and experience to defend nurses. We’re setting the standard for defending nurses in South Carolina. The first consultation with an experienced lawyer from Jeffcoat Criminal Defense Lawyers is completely free.
South Carolina Nursing Board Complaints
Any complaint brought against a nurse in the state of South Carolina will go to the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation (LLR). This section of the Department of Labor and its 41 professional and occupational licensing boards is responsible for tracking and maintaining the licenses of over 300,000 companies throughout the state. There are complaints on about 2 percent of nursing licensees each year, and the Office of Investigation and Enforcement (OIE) investigates each and every complaint. If you have a complaint against you, there may be several questions you may have about how the investigation will work.
Complaints against South Carolina Nursing Professionals
The OIE receives complaints in writing and immediately assigns any allegations to a complaint analyst for review to decide if any of the board’s protocols are under violation per the policies set in place. It will usually take about seven days for an investigation of the allegations. If the complaint does not rise to the level of a violation, it is a “Do Not Open” case file and the individual making the allegation will receive written notification of the case disposition. When the complainant receives notification, the case is closed. Complaint analysts finding allegations to be in violation of the board’s practices will assign the case to an investigator for further review.
If you are the subject of allegations of misconduct that may potentially threaten your nursing license, you should consult with an attorney to assist you with your professional license defense. A lawyer will be able to help you prepare your answer to the allegations made against you and attend the hearing with you to protect your rights. You do not want to jeopardize your career and your professional license by ignoring the complaint or attempting to defend yourself against the allegations. It is best to have an experienced license defense lawyer with knowledge of how the proceedings work to assist you in your nursing license defense.
Nursing License Complaint Investigations in South Carolina
You will receive a letter from the case investigator within 30 days of receiving your case assignment notifying you of the complaint. The letter will contain specific details relating to the complaint and ask you to prepare a written response. If you work in a field other than nursing or medicine, you may receive notification of a site visit in your letter. It is a good idea for you to take the letter you receive from the investigator to a South Carolina attorney for review. Your lawyer will be able to help you get a clear understanding of the complaint and go over your side of the story and begin work on your defense. It is important for you to know that failing to file a response to the complaint will not keep the investigation from taking place; the investigator will simply continue the investigation and make a determination without hearing your answer to the complaint.
Most professional license investigations take anywhere from 60 to 180 days during which time the investigator will interview witnesses, issue subpoenas, and review any other documentation and information that relating to the case. Once all information is collected, a summary report goes the chief investigator for review prior to the Investigative Review Committee (IRC) making a final determination.
Final Decisions and Sanctions in Professional License Cases in South Carolina
The Investigative Review Committee (IRC) will make a decision on the case the Board of Nursing will make the final determination on how to dispose of the case against you. The IRC may decide to dismiss the complaint, issue a formal complaint, or send out a letter or caution. You should know that the Board can either accept the recommendation of IRC or make a different determination on how to dispose of the case. It will be at the discretion of the Board whether or not to dismiss the complaint, issue you a formal complaint, or issue you a letter of caution.
Any allegations and complaints can create chaos and confusion in your life and jeopardize your professional career. Even if you do not receive a formal complaint, your career, and personal life may still suffer. It may be difficult for you to find employment if you choose to leave the state or even if you try to seek employment at a different facility in South Carolina. An attorney can protect your rights and your career. You will need someone on your side to help you navigate the confusing procedures and protocols of the South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation (LLR) and help to make sure your side of the story receives every possible consideration. You have options if you have a reprimand on your South Carolina nursing license.
You do not want to risk losing your professional license or being a victim of state sanctions that may prevent you from earning a decent living. Hire an attorney to protect your rights, career, and your ability to provide for your family. It took you a long time to earn your professional license, and you need to fight to make sure you can continue doing what you love. You deserve representation to ensure you receive a fighting chance to protect your license.
Contact an Experienced License Defense Lawyer for Assistance with Your South Carolina Professional License Defense
A South Carolina License defense lawyer can help you with your professional license defense as well as help you deal with the repercussions and consequences of being the subject of an investigation. If you do not receive a favorable outcome in your case, your license defense lawyer will be able to assist you in filing an appeal of the decision. As with any other type of legal proceeding, you will have the opportunity to appeal the decision of the board, and your lawyer can help you prepare an appropriate defense and present evidence to support your case.
The idea of losing the ability to practice the career you spent years working for is a scary concept. Call Jeffcoat Criminal Defense Lawyers for assistance with your professional license defense today. We care about you and your well-being and will stay by your side from the initial complaint through the disposition of the complaint. Let our experienced license defense lawyers protect your rights and your career. Contact the skilled license defense lawyers at the Jeffcoat Criminal Defense Lawyers today for a free, no-obligation consultation.
