Article archive / January 1, 2011
Originally published: . Volume 2, No. 5. Source pages: 1, 8, 9.
Executive Directors Robert Marier, MD, and Ms. Jaime Monic signed the “Memorandum of Understanding…” for their respective boards in November. The two boards, including the Medical Psychology Advisory Committee have been working on the document over the past year with the goal of producing an agreement that would help the two boards work together in how the they address the dual regulatory duties over the practice of psychology in Louisiana. Verbatim excerpts:
“A. PURPOSE:
Whereas, Act 251 of the 2009 Regular Session of the Louisiana State Legislature transfers the regulatory authority over Medical Psychologists (MPs) from the Psychology Board to the Medical Board as of January 1, 2010;
Whereas, Act 251 grants the Medical Board the authority to regulate the practice of psychology by associates to the Medical Psychologists;
Whereas, R.S. 37:2352(5) grants regulatory authority over licensed psychologists and the practice of psychology by unlicensed associates to psychologists to the Psychology Board;
Whereas, by Act 251 both the Medical Board and the Psychology Board have regulatory authority over the practice of psychology; Therefore, the purpose of this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is to establish a relationship which allows both parties to cooperate on matters pertaining to the practice of psychology.”
The agreement gives the benefits as:
“B. STATEMENT OF MUTUAL BENEFIT AND INTERESTS:
The parties to this MOU understand it is to their mutual benefit to establish a specific means to allow them to cooperate on all matters pertaining to their shared regulatory role over the practice of psychology. The benefits include but are not limited to a reduction in cost and expense related to regulation; the elimination of duplication of effort and processes; the sharing of resources and information; providing administrative clarity to those being regulated; and providing for the protection of the public.
C. The Medical Board SHALL:
1. Engage in cooperative rule making with the Psychology Board on any matters that pertain to the practice of psychology by their respective licensees;
2. Establish procedures for conducting joint investigations with the Psychology Board when complaints arise as to the practice of psychology by MPs who retain their psychology license with the Psychology Board and the practice of unlicensed associates to Medical Psychologists;
3. Establish a mechanism for collaborating with the Psychology Board on disciplinary procedures and sanctions related to complaints about the of practice of psychology by MPs who retain their Psychology license with the Psychology Board;
4. Share necessary information with the Psychology Board when engaging in mutual rule making, discipline, or imposing sanctions relative to the practice of psychology by MPs who retain their Psychology license;
5. Agree to work with the Psychology Board on any other matters that pertain to the practice of psychology as may be beneficial to the respective licensees of both parties.
D. The Psychology Board SHALL:
1. Engage in cooperative rule making with the Medical Board on any matters that pertain to the practice of psychology as may affect MPs who retain their psychology license with the Psychology Board and those unlicensed assistants of MPs;
2. Establish procedures for conducting joint investigations with the Medical Board when complaints arise as to the practice of psychology by MPs who retain their Psychology license with the Psychology Board and the practice of unlicensed associates to Medical Psychologists;
3. Establish a mechanism for collaborating with the Medical Board on disciplinary procedures and sanctions related to complaints about the practice of psychology by MPs who retain their Psychology license with the Psychology Board and the unlicensed associates to Medical Psychologists;
4. Share necessary information with the Medical Board when engaging in mutual rule making, discipline, or imposing sanctions;
5. Agree to work with the Medical Board on any other matters that pertain to the practice of psychology as may be beneficial to both parties.”
The document also stated the scope as:
“G. SCOPE. It is understood that (1) the scope of this Memorandum and the obligations set forth above pertain only to those aspects of the practice of psychology that are particular to Medical Psychologists and not performed by other LSBEP licensees: i.e., the pharmacological treatment and/or pharmacological management of mental, nervous, emotional, behavioral, substance abuse or cognitive disorders and the authority to administer, distribute without charge and/or prescribe drugs as defined in La. R.S. 37:1360.52(2); (2) Notwithstanding anything in this Memorandum expressly or impliedly to the contrary, nothing herein shall be construed to in any way limit the statutory responsibility, authority, prerogative and discretion of either the LSBME or the LSBEP to take whatever action authorized by law that either board may deem necessary and appropriate to protect the public health, welfare and safety.”
The agreement took effect when signed and will be in effect for one year, and extended or amended if the boards agree. Either board can terminate it with a 60-day written notice.
This article is part of a historical newspaper archive. Read the original issue for its original layout, photographs and graphics.