§ 711.30 - Designated physician.

(a) The designated physician shall be qualified to provide professional expertise in the area of occupational medicine as it relates to the PAP. The designated physician may serve in other capacities, including Medical Review Officer.

(b) The designated physician shall:

(1) Be a physician who is a graduate of an accredited school of medicine or osteopathy;

(2) Have a valid, unrestricted state license to practice medicine in the state where PAP medical assessments occur;

(3) Have met the applicable PAP training requirements; and (4) Be eligible for DOE access authorization.

(c) The designated physician shall be responsible for the medical assessments of PAP individuals, including determining which components of the medical assessments may be performed by other qualified personnel. Although a portion of the assessment may be performed by another physician, physician's assistant, or nurse practitioner, the designated physician remains responsible for:

(1) Supervising the evaluation process;

(2) Interpreting the results of evaluations;

(3) Documenting medical conditions that may disqualify an individual from the PAP;

(4) Providing medical assessment information to the designated psychologist to assist in determining psychological fitness;

(5) Determining, in conjunction with DOE, if appropriate, the location and date of the next required medical assessment, thereby establishing the period of certification; and (6) Signing a recommendation as to the medical fitness of an individual for certification or recertification.

(d) The designated physician shall immediately report to the SOMD any of the following about himself or herself:

(1) Initiation of an adverse action by any state medical licensing board or any other professional licensing board;

(2) Initiation of an adverse action by any federal regulatory board since the last designation;

(3) The withdrawal of the privilege to practice by any institution;

(4) Being named a defendant in any criminal proceedings (felony or misdemeanor) since the last designation;

(5) Being evaluated or treated for alcohol use disorder or drug dependency or abuse since the last designation; or

(6) Occurrence of a physical or mental health condition since the last designation that might affect his or her ability to perform professional duties.