Originally published: . Volume 10, No. 3. Source pages: 7.
In a February 21 memo to licensed psychologists, the state psychology board said it is looking for psychologists to add to its Approved Evaluator list, a referral source of psychologists who may be called on by a licensee who has been requested by the board to submit an evaluation regarding his or her ability to deliver services competently.
According to the licensing law, La. R.S. 37:2356.H, "… the board may request that the person submit to a physical examination by a medical doctor approved by the board and/or submit to a mental health examination by a psychologist and/or psychiatrist approved by the board."
According to the memo, by Executive Director, Jaime Monic, the the board is specifically interested in psychologists to have the ability to provide evaluations for "Psychological Evaluation, Neuropsychological Evaluation, Forensic Evaluation, Substance Abuse Evaluation, Fitness for Duty Evaluation, Psychosexual Evaluation."
Ms. Monic wrote, "This list will be used as a referral source and provided to psychologists and applicants for licensure who are remanded by the Board under La. R.S. 37:2356.H. or other agreement, to submit to an independent evaluation in order to determine their ability to safely provide psychological services to clients/patients. The psychologist or applicant for licensure who is the subject of the evaluation will select their preferred evaluator from this pre-approved list, conflicts of interest will be vetted, disclosure agreements between the Board and the psychologist or applicant for licensure will be provided to the evaluator from the Board, and payment for services will be the responsibility of the psychologist or applicant for licensure."
This move may be related to other aspects of reform to the psychology board's complaints and discipline process. Over the last 18 months the board members, along with representatives from the professional community, have been working on reforms to the Policies & Procedures for the complaints subcommittee, resulting in more psychologists being engaged as Complaints Coordinators and other changes.
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