Guidelines for Department Directors for Managing Performance Issues of Fellows and House Officers
Description:
Performance in terms of skills, judgment or conduct is deficient but does not represent imminent risk of harm to patients or others.
Review Process:
Department Director or Preceptor addresses deficiencies with fellow or house office in the presence of a third party.
Record of discussions is maintained.
If deficiencies are not corrected, disciplinary review process applies.
Actions:
- Repeat of rotations
- Additional supervision
- Mentoring
- Warning of possible disciplinary action if deficiencies are uncorrected
Board of Physician Quality Assurance Notification (clinical fellows and house officers only):
No
Other Policies:
Certification of completion of programs is awarded only on satisfactory completion of all program requirements and is not guaranteed.
Contacts:
- Associate Dean for Postdoctoral Programs
- Vice President for Medical Affairs (clinical fellows and house officers only)
Description:
- Violations of standards of conduct
- Repeated errors in professional judgment
- Failure to correct deficiencies in performance which has or could lead to imminent risk of harm to patients or others
Review Process:
If immediate and serious danger to patients and/or institutions, Department Director suspends clinical fellow or house office from responsibilities.
Department Director notifies Associate Dean for Postdoctoral Programs, and Vice President for Medical Affairs, if applicable, in writing describing deficiencies, prior warnings, if any, and proposed action.
Department Director meets with fellow or house officer, and Associate Dean (and Vice President for Medical Affairs, if applicable) before taking final action.
Department Director notifies fellow or house officer in writing of decision, including effect on salary and fringe benefits, training certification and reporting to BPQA.
Actions:
- Probation
- Suspension
- Termination*
Board of Physician Quality Assurance Notification (clinical fellows and house officers only):
Yes
Other Policies:
- Notify risk management if there are patient care concerns
- Notify JCCI of research protocol violations
- Notify safety office of any safety violations
* In the event of probation, suspension, or termination, or resignation in lieu thereof, the Department Director prepares a summary of the matter, including complaints, prior disciplinary action and a report sufficient to apprise any successor of the events leading up to the action.
Contacts:
- Associate Dean for Postdoctoral Programs
- Vice President for Medical Affairs (clinical fellows and house officers only)
- JHHS
Description:
Performance deficiencies, including poor attendance due to physical or mental illness or alcohol or substance abuse -- no injury to patients or others.
Review Process:
Department Director refers fellow or house officer to Occupational Health Services (OHS), Faculty and Staff Assistance Program (FASAP) or Physician's Assistance Committee (PAC) for evaluation and recommendations for treatment, as a condition of continued employment.
If the fellow or house officer fails to comply with recommended treatment, matter is handled as a disciplinary issue.
If the fellow or house officer requires time off, Department Director with the approval of the Associate Dean for Postdoctoral Programs, may grant paid sick leave for up to 13 weeks per year (July - June).
Actions:
- Leave of absence
- Release from patient care responsibilities
Board of Physician Quality Assurance Notification (clinical fellows and house officers only):
No, as long as fellow or house officer is complying with recommended treatment, treatment is effective, and there has been no injury to patients or others.
Other Policies:
Family and Medical Leave runs concurrently with paid sick leave for serious health conditions of fellows and house officers after twelve months of service at Johns Hopkins. REQUIRES SPECIAL LETTER -- contact Postdoctoral Office or General Counsel's Office of the Johns Hopkins University.
If the fellow or house officer is disabled within meaning of Americans with Disabilities Act, reasonable accommodations must be considered.
Contacts:
- Associate Dean for Postdoctoral Programs
- Vice President for Medical Affairs (clinical fellows and house officers only)
- General Counsel for JHU and JHHS
- Occupational Health Services
- Faculty and Staff Assistance
- Physicians Assistance Committee
