Diversion Program Regional Advisory Committees
Diversion Program (DP) Regional Advisory Committees (RAC) were created by the Board under the statutory authority of §61-3-29.1 NMSA 1978 (Nursing Practice Act) to assist the Board in its duty to rehabilitate nurses whose competencies may be impaired because of the abuse of drugs or alcohol so that nurses can be treated and returned to or continue the practice of nursing in a manner that will benefit the public. Advisory committees have been developed in the following areas of the state: Albuquerque, Las Cruces, Roswell, Hobbs, Espanola, Farmington, Las Vegas, and Gallup. Committee members may be reimbursed as provided in the Per Diem and Mileage Act [10-8-1 through 10-8-8 NMSA 1978].
Member qualifications (Board of Nursing Advisory Committee Policy)
- Members must have some personal or professional expertise in the area of Substance Use Disorder (SUD).
- The Director of Education and Practice will evaluate candidates for suitability to be on the RAC and make a recommendation to the Board of Nursing.
Member responsibilities (Board of Nursing Advisory Committee Policy)
- Assistance with ongoing monitoring and evaluation of a participant’s progress in recovery.
- Use assessment skills in evaluation of the participants’ progress in recovery.
- Use written skills to document the participants’ responses on the evaluation assessment form.
- Make recommendations for amendments in the DP contract.
- Provide resource information to participants.
- Make suggestions/recommendations for changes in policies and procedures.
- When necessary, assist in the admission of a participant into the DP.
- Meet and assess other potential RAC members for compatibility of philosophy and appropriate nomination to the Board prior to appointment to a RAC.
- Members are expected to attend all RAC meetings as scheduled.
BON staff contact: Ernestine Garcia-Simpson, MBA, (505) 841-9091 or nmbon.Diversion@bon.nm.gov
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