Continuing Discussions on Lack of State Licensing Reciprocity for Perfusionists

Last December 9th, I posted several issues regarding state licensing reciprocity for perfusionists and the fact that AmSect seems to lack interest in this matter (for a review of the earlier blog post and AmSect's position on this subject, click here). I'm bringing this matter to the forefront of my blog once again because I've recently been contacted by perfusionists expressing concerns.

Below are a few excerpts and summaries of perfusionist opinions (note: anonymity has been retained upon request).

This is an ongoing and important topic that should be discussed. It is for that reason I am posting these comments to my blog. You may certainly post here "anonymously". Also, feel free to contact me by phone or email.

COMMENTS FROM PERFUSIONISTS ON THE LACK OF STATE RECIPROCITY:

• ... We hire from a limited pool of candidates who currently hold a license in our state. Any out of state candidate would have to go through our state's licensing board which takes better than 6 weeks.

• Our state agency is typical and it is difficult trying to talk to someone who actually knows what is going on. It is difficult to get a straight answer.

• Some candidates have had issues regarding having held a license from another state and because their state agency handles things differently, our state would raise issues and further delay licensing.
  

• When AmSect got into the effort to provide certifying of Autotransfusionists, it is in direct conflict with my state licensing's "scope of practice". If we were a contract group providing perfusion services to a hospital who are staffed with all licensed, certified perfusionists, another group of "Autotransfusionists" could come in and underbid our contract (you certainly can pay cell saver people a lot less than perfusionists, even though perfusionist are the "experts" in blood management.)
  

• I have become a bit jaded with the licensing issue. I am not for it, but suffer under its limitations.
  

• I have provided occasional assistance to a group in another state for vacation or meeting coverage. I had to deal with numerous issues in getting another state license.

• It is expensive to maintain licensing in more than one state.

• I called the state health board. .. Press this for english, press another for this board, another for that board and so on. Then you get a voicemail telling you the person you wanted to talk to is busy serving others and to leave a message. Then imagine... that you are actually going to get a return phone call. In this lifetime, I mean.

• This month I received a letter from the state health board telling me that "they" had determined that I had not complied with the requirements and offering to settle the matter for a mea culpa and a mere $1200.00. According to the statute, certification is grounds for a waiver for examination and education requirements.

• It appears that Tennessee has chosen to make their requirements a bit more stringent concerning CEUs. I don’t know the reason they created the 15 CEU’s per year requirement rather than accepting 45 in three years as required by the ABCP but I am assuming this is where you got caught up. Fines are pretty steep ($100 each month past the first 3 that a licensee is not in compliance) not to mention the other fees tacked on. If, as you eluded to in your previous post, this is in order to provide a license to a perfusionist that cannot maintain an ABCP certification then, in my opinion, it was poorly written and should have allowed for either/or.

• This seems to be an excellent example of how something that is intended to do good can develop into something that hurts a few people along the way. This may seem like a ‘no duh’ thought but I would encourage each perfusionist that is employed in a licensure state to take the opportunity to read their licensure rules and know what is expected of them. In addition, if you are planning to become employed in a licensure state, know what their laws are before you do. An excellent resource for this information is the GRC section of the AmSECT website where they have links to all states and their licensure acts.

• If licensure is happening in your state, be active in its formation. Don’t let a few people determine your course. Give your input. Don’t sit back and let someone else do it and don’t oppose it with your silence because soon it will be too late and you will not have had your voice heard.
  
  

Reactions? Additional stories? Would love to hear from you. As many of you know the annual AmSect meeting is currently taking place this weekend. This would be an excellent time to approach any member of the Government Relations Committee (GRC) of AmSect to voice your displeasure at the lack of sensitivity and thoroughness that is exemplified by the lack of reciprocity across states that require licensure. The lack of a patient-focused care philosophy and the obvious restriction of trade that this imposes on many perfusionists is unfair and unwarranted. It would be interesting to note what, if anything, is the GRC going to do about this deliberate action that they have championed. I look forward to your comments and would welcome a response from AmSect and their GRC about what they intend to do to resolve this problem.

Ralph E. Jordan
CEO & President
Trident Health Resources, Inc.