Naturopathic Medical Consultant
Naturopathic Medical Consultant
What is a Naturopathic Medical Consultant?
Naturopathic Medical Consultants are Naturopathic Doctors in good standing who are in practice or employed in the field of naturopathic medicine in the community. They provide their services to the Board on a part-time contract basis to review quality of care complaints.
What is the role of a Naturopathic Medical Consultant?
The Naturopathic Medical Consultant role is to determine whether the care and treatment provided was within the “standard of practice.” The Naturopathic Medical Consultant will evaluate the overall care and treatment of the specific case.
What type of complaints are reviewed?
The Naturopathic Medical Consultant may be asked to review issues such as:
- Diagnosis and treatment
- Excessive or illegal prescribing
- Dishonesty (fraudulent claims or excessive treatment)
- Inappropriate examinations
What does a Naturopathic Medical Consultant look for when reviewing complaints?
By reviewing and evaluating complaints and copies of patents’ medical records, the Naturopathic Medical Consultant draws upon their expertise in the field of naturopathic medicine and determines whether there is any evidence that might substantiate a complaint of:
- Gross negligence (an extreme departure from the standard of practice): Naturopathic Doctors (NDs) failing to do basic diagnostic tests, not recognizing or acting on common symptoms, not using accepted effective treatments or diagnostic procedures, using outdated procedures, not referring a patient to a specialist when appropriate.
- Negligence (a simple departure from the standard of practice): Negligent acts that are not an extreme departure.
One act of simple negligence usually is not enough to take formal action against a naturopathic doctor’s license. However, patterns of repeated negligent acts may be sufficient grounds in some cases.
- Incompetence (a lack of knowledge of ability in discharging professional naturopathic medical obligations): a naturopathic doctor who is unable to recognize and act appropriately on symptoms would be considered incompetent.
Minimum Qualification for a Naturopathic Medical Consultant for the California Board of Naturopathic Medicine:
The California Board of Naturopathic Medicine (Board) is recruiting qualified naturopathic doctors to prepare written opinions and possibly testify at administrative hearings as a Naturopathic Medical Consultant.
The Board compensates its Naturopathic Medical Consultants and allows reimbursement costs associated with travel in cases of mandatory attendance at an administrative hearing. Review of a complaint does not require the personal attendance of the Naturopathic Medical Consultant at the office of the Board. A copy will be made of a complaint, the copy redacted, and then provided to the Naturopathic Medical Consultant for a short, written opinion. The Board will use that opinion in determining if further investigation is warranted.
If you wish to provide this service to your community and be considered a Naturopathic Medical Consultant, please verify you meet the following criteria:
- A current and active California license as a Naturopathic Doctor.
- Five (5) or more years combined experience as a licensed Naturopathic Doctor in the State of California, licensed Naturopathic Physician in another state, or practicing naturopath in California prior to January 1, 2005 (first date of licensure in California) having already completed the educational and board examination requirements for licensure in California.
- No prior or current charges or discipline against any health related license in California or any other state of licensure.
- No criminal convictions, including any that were expunged or dismissed.
If you qualify, you may apply by completing and signing the "Application for Naturopathic Medical Consultant." Send the completed application and current curriculum vitae (CV)/resume to:
California Board of Naturopathic Medicine
1747 N. Market Blvd., Suite 240
Sacramento, CA 95834
ATTN: Executive Officer
If you have questions, please contact the Board at 916-928-4785 or email naturopathic@dca.ca.gov.