Employers, Clinicians, and Worksite Liaisons

Employers & Worksite Liaisons - Montana Recovery Program

Worksite Liaisons serve a critical role in protecting public safety and supporting our participants in their return to practice.

When you agree to serve in the role of Worksite Liaison, a Case Manager will meet with you by phone to review what you can expect of the position. The Case Manager will provide you with instructions to access the program’s electronic record system and help you to set up your account. You will then be able to submit reports online, which are due quarterly.

Worksite Liaisons and Clinicians

Worksite Liaisons and Clinicians assist licensed health professionals to return to work in a controlled and safe manner, supporting the mission of the Montana Recovery Program. To learn more about Worksite Liaisons, download the Overview Brochure. To learn more about Clinicians, download the Clinician Brochure.

Please click below to view a short video to gain a better understanding of the role and responsibilities of the Worksite Liaison.

 

Link to Worksite Liaison_MT Recovery video

FAQs for Employers and WSLs - Employing Participant who is enrolled in the Program

The program supports our participants’ return to safe professional practice. Employers can contribute to this by choosing to hire or retain a participant who is safely being monitored by the Recovery Program.

Before a participant can return to work, the Program first determines if they are safe to do so. The Program considers several factors in its decision (e.g. history and severity of SUD diagnosis, treatment response, compliance with a recovery plan, random drug testing results, etc.).

In some cases, a participant’s Return-to-Work plan may include necessary job accommodations (aka practice restrictions), to ensure safe practice. This will depend on the work environment (e.g. job setting, supervision level, interaction with other professionals, job duties, access to drugs, level of support for the participant, and ability for worksite monitoring).

As a participant continues to be successful in their recovery, the Program will review and adjust their Return-to-Work Plan until they are able to perform all aspects of their duties without accommodations.

**NOTE:** Under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), persons with a history of a substance use disorder and who are currently in documented recovery have certain protections related to employment (i.e. reasonable accommodations). Employers may consult with their Human Resources department for specific guidance.

By law, Program staff must first have a participant’s written consent to communicate with their employer. A participant may submit to the Recovery Program a Consent to Release Information, which will allow a Case Manager (CM) to communicate with their employer about their employee’s enrollment status, ability to return to work, and (if applicable) any worksite monitoring requirements. NOTE: As part of any successful Return-to-Work plan, the participant will need to identify a worksite liaison (typically a direct clinical supervisor).

The role of the worksite liaison (typically a participant’s direct clinical supervisor) is critical to ensure a participant’s success in returning to safe professional practice. The Program and the worksite liaison maintain open communication regarding to the participant’s progress.

Management of a returning, recovering professional is no different than that of any other employee. A worksite liaison will observe an employee’s progress at work and observe for any signs of relapse. The worksite liaison will submit to the Program periodic progress reports (which are similar to regular employee performance reviews).

Employers who wish to learn more about substance use disorder and its prevalence in the healthcare professions may access learning resources at NCSBN.org. Additionally, employers may request a presentation by Program staff. Staff will appear at your worksite or provide a presentation at no cost. Email us for more information Ask-MTRecovery@maximus.com.

For more information, go to these websites: International Doctors in Alcoholics Anonymous and Western Doctors in Recovery.

Role of the Worksite Liaison (WSL)

The worksite liaison assists the licensed health professional to return to work in a controlled and safe manner, supporting the mission of the Recovery Program, which is to protect the public.

  • Assist healthcare professional to reenter the workforce in a safe manner

  • Provide an open line of communication between the workplace, Maximus and the licensing Board.

  • Watch for changes in behaviors and signs of relapse or return to alcohol or drug use.

  • Must be at least one step above the participant on the organizational chart

  • Observe participant at workplace at least once each week, or more frequently if required.

  • Interview coworkers as necessary to ensure the participant is practicing safely.

  • Identify alternate WSL in the absence of the appointed WSL. 

  • May not be a current participant in the Program

  • If in recovery, must have five years of continuous sobriety.

  • Agree to notify Maximus within one hour of noticing any signs of relapse or suspicious behavior.

  • Agree to complete and submit quarterly reports to Maximus, as required.

If you identify that the participant you are monitoring:

  • Appears to be using drugs or alcohol

  • Demonstrates changes in performance

  • Has excessive absences or tardiness

  • Involved in incidents of patient harm or involved in sentinel events

Call the Montana Recovery – Case Manager at 833-397-7500 within one hour of identifying a problem, or immediately at the start of the next business day.