For immediate release: October 10, 2017 (17-145)
Contact:
Sharon Moysiuk, Strategic Communications Office 360-549-6471
Public inquiries: Health Systems Customer Service 360-236-4700
State revokes, suspends licenses, certifications, registrations of health care providers
OLYMPIA -- The Washington State Department of Health has revoked or suspended the licenses, certifications, or registrations of health care providers in our state. The department has also immediately suspended the credentials of people who have been prohibited from practicing in other states.
The department’s Health Systems Quality Assurance Division works with boards, commissions and advisory committees to set licensing standards for more than 80 health care professions (e.g., medical doctors, nurses, counselors).
Information about health care providers is on the agency’s website. Click on “Look up a health care provider license” in the “How Do I?” section of the Department of Health home page (doh.wa.gov). The site includes information about a health care provider’s license status, the expiration and renewal date of their credential, disciplinary actions and copies of legal documents issued after July 1998. This information is also available by calling 360-236-4700. Consumers who think a health care provider acted unprofessionally are also encouraged to call and report their complaint.
Clark County
In September 2017 the Nursing Assistant Program charged registered nursing assistant and certified nursing assistant Samantha Marie Becklehimer (NA60700480, NC60701778) with unprofessional conduct and immediately suspended her credentials. The state Department of Social and Health Services found that Becklehimer financially exploited a vulnerable adult in her care, rendering her unable to be employed in caring for or having unsupervised access to vulnerable adults.
Kitsap County
In September 2017 the secretary of health indefinitely suspended the registered nursing assistant credential of Justin Carl Moore (NA60520394). Moore didn’t apply ear drops, leg wraps, ointments, and creams as required for a client with an intellectual disability, and admitted documenting care he didn’t provide.
Lewis County
In September 2017 the secretary of health indefinitely suspended the home care aide credential of Sheri M. Bobbitt (HM60659439). Bobbitt, who consumed alcohol during her shift at an adult family home where she worked, admitted being an alcoholic.
Okanogan County
In September 2017 the Nursing Assistant Program suspended the certified nursing assistant credential of Mary A. Vasquez (NC10048864) for at least two years. In violation of her employer’s policy, Vasquez accepted $1,000 from a patient for whom she provided care.
Snohomish County
In September 2017 the Nursing Assistant Program charged certified nursing assistant Catherine Daphane Lang (NC60468085) with unprofessional conduct and immediately suspended her credential. While providing care for two vulnerable adults who are a married couple, Lang forged checks totaling about $16,000, used the wife’s name to transfer $110,000 into an account from which she wrote herself checks, and bought herself an automobile using the wife’s name. The state Department of Social and Health Services found that Lang financially exploited two vulnerable adults and can’t be employed in caring for or having unsupervised access to vulnerable adults.
The Department of Health website (doh.wa.gov) is your source for a healthy dose of information. Also, find us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter.
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