A College Station, Texas phlebotomist was arrested on October 12, 2019, after leaving work allegedly under the influence of alcohol. The erratic behavior in this case suggests more to the story than just alcohol intoxication, but a conviction for driving while intoxicated in and of itself could be career-ending in some cases.

In the afternoon of October 12, 32-year-old Jennifer Vann was reportedly intoxicated at work at her lab near Longmire Drive. According to police records, Vann removed her clothes while at work before exiting the facility. From there, she reportedly entered her vehicle and sped away.

The police report reflects that an on-duty officer witnessed Vann swerving in traffic moments later, nearly striking a curb. When the officer attempted to pull her over, she initially refused to stop. According to the report, she allegedly continued driving until there were police officers following her and one specifically driving next to her attempting to pull her over.

Once stopped, the officers administered field sobriety tests. After allegedly failing these tests, officers took Vann into custody and charged her with driving while intoxicated.

Career Implications in the Medical Field for a DWI Conviction

An arrest and conviction for driving while intoxicated carries a number of penalties prescribed by law. In addition to the potential for jail time, a DWI conviction could also result in fines and the suspension of your driver's license. These are not the only consequences available in a DWI case, however.

A DWI conviction could also have a domino effect on the career of anyone in the medical profession. These convictions could severely impact anyone with a medical license or nursing license. While a career as a phlebotomist does not require a medical or nursing license, it does require a certification process for all Texas employers.

These certifications are required in conjunction with any Texas schools offering a vocational degree in phlebotomy. Schools typically work directly with one of the major national certification organizations. These organizations include:

• American Society of Phlebotomy Technicians
• American Society of Clinical Pathologists
• American Medical Technologists
• National Phlebotomy Association.

As is the case with other types of licenses or certifications, these organizations can refuse to issue or renew certification on a number of grounds. These grounds could include a conviction for DWI. For the most part, certification is taken on a case by case basis. While a DWI conviction alone (especially a first-time DWI offense) might not lead to the loss of certification, the potential could concern anyone facing charges.

Protect your Career with an Experienced Houston DWI Defense Lawyer

The good news is that these organizations typically do not require the reporting of an arrest. Instead, their guidelines typically involve reporting only after conviction. In other words, if you are able to defeat the charges against you at trial, there will be no need to report an arrest at all. While beating a DWI case is not easy, attorney Doug Murphy has prevailed at trial in countless DWI cases around Houston. To learn more about how the right attorney could help guide your defense strategy, contact the Doug Murphy Law Firm, P.C.