21 NCAC 42E .0203           CONSULTANT: ADVISOR, STAFF OPTOMETRIST, OR INDEPENDENT CONTRACTOR

(a)  An optometrist may:

(1)           be engaged as a consultant, advisor, or independent contractor for industrial plants where industrial vision programs are being or have been instituted; or

(2)           be engaged as a staff optometrist, independent contractor, or optometric administrator for health programs sponsored or funded by any agency of municipal, county, state or federal government, or research organizations educational institutions, insurance companies, health maintenance organization, or hospitals.

(b)  In acting in the capacity of consultant, advisor, independent contractor, or staff optometrist, the optometrist shall at all times remain cognizant of his professional responsibilities and shall with demeanor, decorum and determination retain his right of independent professional judgment and title in all situations and circumstances as he would in his own office.  If at any time the right of independent professional title and judgment is abridged by the party or parties engaging the optometrist's services, it shall be mandatory upon the optometrist to resign or terminate the position as consultant, advisor, staff optometrist, or independent contractor and in so doing the intent of G.S. 90-125 would not be violated.

History Note:        Authority G.S. 90‑117.5; 90‑125;

Eff. February 1, 1976;

Readopted Eff. May 30, 1978;

Amended Eff. April 1, 1993; June 1, 1989; September 30, 1981;

Pursuant to G.S. 150B-21.3A, rule is necessary without substantive public interest Eff. May 23, 2015.