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Policy No.: 8000
Effective Date: 11/01/06
Revised Date: DRAFT
Reviewed Date: 07/19/16

Compliance Program Policy

Basis for Policy

The University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) Compliance Program consistent with UNMC Code of Conduct, UNMC Policy No. 8006, Code of Conduct, UNMC faculty, staff, and students are expected to comply with: all applicable federal, state and local laws; all relevant regulations; and University of Nebraska and UNMC Policies and Procedures. The purpose of the Compliance Program and Committee is to identify UNMC’s compliance risks, as well as make recommendations and implement solutions, policies, procedures and standards of conduct to ensure that UNMC complies with all applicable federal, state and local laws and regulations. In support of this purpose, UNMC’s Compliance Program will designate a compliance officer and compliance committee whose responsibilities will include the following: to conduct effective training and education, develop effective lines of communication, and conduct internal monitoring and auditing for enforcement of policies and procedures.

Compliance Program Structure

 

Associate Vice Chancellor for Compliance

The Associate Vice Chancellor for Compliance reports directly to the Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs and is responsible for overseeing the development and coordination implementation of policies, procedures and practices necessary to effect compliance with federal, state, and local laws and regulations.

Compliance Officer

The Compliance Officer shall report to the Associate Vice Chancellor of Academic Affairs for Compliance, but has the authority to communicate directly with the Chancellor or Vice Chancellors for Academic Affairs, Business and Finance and Research or others on compliance matters which include, but are not limited to:

  • analyze laws and regulations applicable to UNMC and coordinate with subject matter experts to ensure compliance;
  • monitor day-to-day compliance activities;
  • develop, initiate, maintain and revise policies and procedures for compliance with laws and regulations applicable to UNMC;
  • oversee visits by regulatory agencies and responses to inquiries and investigations;
  • report compliance matters directly to the UNMC Chancellor’s Council;
  • coordinate with the Associate General Counsel for Health Care on legal issues;
  • coordinate with the Director of Internal Audit;
  • coordinate with the Information Security Officer;
  • respond to compliance hotline calls;
  • disseminate information to support compliance and training on the Compliance Program;
  • chair the compliance committee.

Compliance Committee

The Compliance Committee assists the Compliance Officer with the above duties and helps manage the Compliance Program. The Compliance Committee shall seek to leverage the compliance efforts of each area and avoid duplication of effort. The Compliance Committee shall analyze UNMC’s key risk areas, and monitor and promote compliance. The Compliance Committee shall serve to oversee, monitor and manage risks as identified by the Internal Audit Director’s annual audit plan as well as data generated through monitoring and individual reporting.

The Compliance Committee shall meet no less than quarterly. The Compliance Committee shall be composed of at least the following representatives who shall be responsible for the overseeing compliance and assist the Compliance Officer with managing the Compliance Program:

  • Compliance Officer
  • UNMC Legal Counsel
  • Human Resources Director
  • Information Security Officer
  • Institutional Review Board
  • Intellectual Property Director
  • Internal Audit Director
  • Nebraska Medicine Compliance Officer
  • Controller
  • Sponsored Programs Administration
  • Director of Procurement

The Compliance Committee or Compliance Officer may expect reports at a minimum annually from certain representatives and/or others to address compliance issues as necessary, to develop policies related to compliance, establish compliance training programs, assist with identifying areas of potential compliance vulnerabilities, assist with understanding the compliance risks and related regulations and laws, assist with response to alleged violation of rules, regulations, policies, procedures and other functions as needed to enforce this policy. Those representatives would be from the following areas: NU Director of Internal Audit, Biosafety, Chemical Safety, College of Dentistry, College of Medicine, College of Nursing, College of Pharmacy, College of Public Health, College of Allied Health, Comparative Medicine/Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, Eppley Institute/Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center, Facilities Management, Munroe-Meyer Institute, Radiation Safety, Safety, Student Services, or other as necessary.

Compliance Responsibilities

Compliance Areas
Compliance responsibilities shall be established per UNMC and/or Board of Regents policies and procedures linked and referenced below:

Research Compliance
Code of Conduct UNMC Policy No. 8006, Code of Conduct
IRB Institutional Review Board
IACUC Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee, BOR Policy 3.2.8
Conflict of Interest UNMC Policy No. 8010, Conflict of Interest
Clinical Trial Billing UNMC Policy No. 8008, Clinical Trial Fee Billing Procedures
Research Integrity UNMC Policy No. 8003, Research Integrity
Environmental and Safety Compliance
Safety UNMC Safety Operations and UNMC Policy No. 2000, Safety
Radiation Safety UNMC Radiation Safety Office
Bloodborne Pathogens Infection Control and UNMC Policy No. 2004, Bloodborne Pathogens Exposure
Biosafety Institutional Biosafety Committee, UNMC Policy No. 2005, Waste Handling and Biohazardous Waste Handling
Chemical Safety UNMC Chemical Safety Office and UNMC Policy No. 2002, Shipment of Hazardous Materials or Dangerous Goods
Security UNMC Campus Security
Intellectual Property
Copyright UNMC Policy No. 6036, Reproducing Copyrighted Materials
Privacy and Information Security
Privacy, Confidentiality and Information Security UNMC Policy No. 6045, Privacy, Confidentiality and Information Security
Use and Disclosure of Protected Health Information UNMC Policy No. 6054, Use and Disclosure of Protected Health Information
Retention/Destruction/Disposal of Private/Confidential Information UNMC Policy No. 6056, Retention and Destruction/Disposal of Private and Confidential Information
Other
Computer Use and Information Security UNMC Policy No. 6051, Computer Use and Electronic Information Security
Export Control UNMC Policy No. 8005, Export Control
Human Resources Human Resources
Internal Audit UNMC Policy No. 8016, Internal Audit
Student Services Student Services, FERPA Information

Compliance Committee Meetings

The purpose of Compliance Committee meetings shall be to analyze, assess, manage, coordinate and develop corrective action(s) related to compliance risks identified for the purpose of compliance with UNMC’s Code of Conduct, University of Nebraska and UNMC Policies and Procedures.

The Compliance Office shall complete meeting minutes and maintain them on file for no less than seven years. The draft meeting minutes shall be distributed to committee members, vice chancellors, college deans and executive directors to inform UNMC leadership about compliance activities.

Compliance Hotline

A UNMC compliance hotline has been established to provide individuals with an additional communication channel to report compliance concerns. The Compliance Officer shall investigate concerns and take corrective action in response to identified issues. For additional information, see UNMC Policy No. 8001, Compliance Hotline.

Compliance Training

All University of Nebraska Medical Center employees, students (including visiting students), and faculty (including but not limited to courtesy, adjunct, volunteers) must be knowledgeable of and comply with laws and regulations related to their duties or field of study as determined by the Compliance Officer and Compliance Committee.

Mandatory compliance training is required of UNMC staff and students. It is the individual's responsibility to complete the compliance training requirements athttp://www.unmc.edu/academicaffairs/compliance/training-requirements/index.html. Failure to complete the training requirements will be grounds for corrective action up to and including dismissal or termination of employment. Delinquency notices will be sent according to the guidelines below:

Days Overdue (days past deadline date) Employees Students
30 Days E-mail/verbal notice from unit management E-mail/verbal notice from Dean’s office
60 Days Communication from Human Resources Letter from Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs; records placed on hold
90 Days Notification to Dean, access removed from all UNMC resources except Blackboard until training has been completed

Statement of Understanding

All employees and students shall sign a Statement of Understanding at the beginning of employment/start of school and annually thereafter, documenting they have read, understand and agree to adhere to policies on: code of conduct, non-discrimination, sexual harassment; privacy and information security; and drug-free workplace.

Additional Information


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