For immediate release: October 3, 2017 (17-139)
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.
Benton County
In September 2017 the Nursing Commission revoked the registered nurse credential of Darrin L. Ruddell (RN00133423). In 2017 he pleaded guilty to a federal count of receipt of child pornography, and a state count of unlawful possession of a controlled substance.
Klickitat County
In September 2017 the Nursing Commission indefinitely suspended the registered nurse credential of Lynn Marie Counts (RN00123983). Counts surrendered her Oregon registered nurse credential in 2017.
Snohomish County
In September 2017 the Home Care Aide Program entered an agreement with home care aide Elisapeta Leafa (HM60698544) that suspends her credentials for at least two years. Leafa admitted taking and pawning jewelry that belonged to a resident at an assisted living facility where she worked.
In September 2017 the Nursing Assistant Program immediately suspended the certified nursing assistant credential of Christopher James Schiffler (NC60393221). Schiffler was placed on the abuse registry by the state Department of Social and Health Services and can’t be employed in caring for or having unsupervised access to vulnerable adults.
Out of State
California: In September 2017 the Nursing Commission indefinitely suspended the registered nurse credential of Jennifer A. Becker (RN00157757), who didn’t comply with a substance abuse monitoring contract.
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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