Members of the Disciplinary Panel will be selected to an Adjudication Tribunal to hear complaints regarding licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, nurse practitioners, and registered psychiatric nurses.
The composition of the Disciplinary Panel shall reflect the cultural, ethnic, and regional diversity of the province.
The Disciplinary Panel shall consist of not less than:
• 15 registered nurses appointed by the Board who are not members of the Board;
• 10 licensed practical nurses appointed by the Board who are not members of the Board;
• Five nurse practitioners, where practicable, appointed by the Board who are not members of the Board;
• one registered psychiatric nurse, where practicable, appointed by the Board who is not a member of the Board; and
• 10 persons appointed by the Minister of Health and Community Services to represent the public interest who are not registrants, or members of the Board.
The Board shall appoint one of the appointed nurse members of the Panel as the chairperson of the Panel. For the purposes of dealing with complaints referred to the Disciplinary Panel, the chairperson of the Disciplinary Panel shall appoint from it an Adjudication Tribunal consisting of three persons, of whom two shall be nurse registrants and one shall be a member of the Panel appointed to represent the public interest.
Diversity in the backgrounds, skills and experience of appointed Panel members can enhance the effectiveness of an Adjudication Tribunal by bringing a wider range of perspectives and knowledge. Examples include:
• Commitment to public protection and the public interest
• Knowledge of professional regulation, the Nurses Act, and the role of the Adjudication Tribunal
• Understanding of administrative law and procedural fairness principles
• Ability to review, analyze, interpret, and evaluate complex information and evidence
• Ability to exercise, in deliberations together with other Tribunal members, critical thinking and sound judgement in decision making
• Effective communication skills, including active listening and clear written communication
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and manage sensitive information
The following attributes are important considerations in selecting members:
• Previous adjudicative, disciplinary, tribunal, board, committee, or governance experience
• High ethical standards and integrity
• Demonstrated understanding and respect for confidentiality requirements
• Demonstrated understanding of regulatory principles and the role of professional regulation in protecting the public
• Demonstrated strong reasoning skills
• Flexibility, responsiveness, and openness to diverse perspectives
• Commitment to fairness, impartiality, and objective decision making
• No direct or indirect conflicts of interest
• Effective communication skills (written and oral)
• Technological competency: the ability to fully participate in meetings and hearings that may be conducted virtually
One public representative Panel member is required per Adjudication Tribunal. The three Panel members selected to an Adjudication Tribunal for a hearing may have to commit to several sequential hearing days, and at times if needed to further hearing dates. Dates for hearings are set by consensus but must accommodate the full three-person Tribunal.
A member appointed to the Disciplinary Panel holds office for a term of three years and is eligible to be reappointed. Where the term of office of a member of the Disciplinary Panel expires, the member continues to be a member of the Disciplinary Panel until reappointed or replaced.
The Disciplinary Panel of the Newfoundland and Labrador College of Nurses is seeking to fill at least 10 positions to represent the public interest. Expressions of interest are being sought from individuals who possess the background, experience and skill set identified in the Disciplinary Panel profile above and who can bring unique perspectives to the table. Consideration will also be given to a variety of demographic factors to ensure the Panel is representative of the population they serve.
