Chapter VE 4
VETERINARY PROFESSIONAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
VE 4.01   Authority and purpose.
VE 4.02   Definitions.
VE 4.04   Contract for program.
VE 4.06   Referral to and eligibility for disciplinary program.
VE 4.08   Requirements for disciplinary program participation.
VE 4.10   Disciplinary program participation agreement.
VE 4.12   Approval of service providers.
VE 4.14   Approval of service providers for alcohol, drug or other chemical testing.
VE 4.16   Records.
VE 4.18   Reports to board.
Ch. VE 4 NoteNote: Chapter VE 4 as it existed on July 31, 2022, was repealed by CR 21-062, effective August 1, 2022, and Chapter VE 11 as it existed on July 31, 2022, was renumbered Chapter VE 4 by CR 21-062, Register July 2022 No. 799, effective August 1, 2022.
VE 4.01VE 4.01Authority and purpose. Pursuant to s. 89.03 (3), Stats., the board adopts these rules specifying a procedure for addressing allegations that a person licensed or certified by the board under this chapter has practiced as a veterinarian or veterinary technician while impaired by alcohol or other drugs or that his or her ability to practice is impaired by alcohol or other drugs, and for assisting a person licensed by the board under this chapter who requests to participate in the procedure or who requests assistance in obtaining mental health services. In promulgating rules under s. 89.03 (3), Stats., the board shall seek to facilitate early identification of chemically dependent veterinarians or veterinary technicians and encourage their rehabilitation. The rules promulgated under s. 89.03 (3), Stats., may be used in conjunction with the formal disciplinary process under ch. 89, Stats.
VE 4.01 HistoryHistory: EmR1718: emerg. cr., eff. 11-22-17; CR 17-083: cr. Register July 2018 No. 751, eff. 8-1-18.
VE 4.02VE 4.02Definitions. As used this chapter:
VE 4.02(1)(1)“Complaint” means any written information submitted by any person to the board which requests that a disciplinary proceeding be commenced against a credential holder or which alleges facts, which if true, warrant discipline.
VE 4.02(2)(2)“Credential holder” means a person holding any license, permit, certificate, or registration granted by the board.
VE 4.02(3)(3)“Disciplinary counsel” means the attorney bringing complaints against credential holders before the board.
VE 4.02(4)(4)“Disciplinary program” means the component of the veterinary professional assistance program that may be utilized, as part of a stipulation by a credential holder and the board, for settling unprofessional conduct by the credential holder.
VE 4.02(5)(5)“Impaired” means the inability of a veterinary professional to practice veterinary medicine or veterinary technology with reasonable skill and safety to patients by reason of illness, inebriation, excessive use of drugs, narcotics, alcohol, chemicals, or other substances, or as a result of any physical or mental condition.
VE 4.02(6)(6)“Impaired veterinary professional” means a credential holder, a veterinarian student studying or working in Wisconsin, or an unlicensed veterinary assistant working in Wisconsin, who voluntarily seeks assistance because of a self-identified alcohol, drug or other chemical, or mental health impairment.
VE 4.02(7)(7)“Medical review officer” means a medical doctor or doctor of osteopathy who is a licensed physician and who has knowledge of substance abuse disorders and has appropriate medical training to interpret and evaluate an individual’s confirmed positive test result together with an individual’s medical history and any other relevant biomedical information.
VE 4.02(8)(8)“Program” means any entity contracted by the board to provide the veterinary professional assistance program on behalf of the board.
VE 4.02(9)(9)“Screening panel” means the board committee that reviews complaints to see if investigation by disciplinary counsel is warranted and reviews possible settlements and orders against credential holders.