704.7(b) LICENSURE Counselor Qualifications
704.7. Qualifications for the position of counselor.
(a) Drug and alcohol treatment projects shall be staffed by counselors proportionate to the staff/client and counselor/client ratios listed in 704.12 (relating to full-time equivalent (FTE) maximum client/staff and client/counselor ratios).
(b) Each counselor shall meet at least one of the following groups of qualifications:
(1) Current licensure in this Commonwealth as a physician.
(2) A Master's Degree or above from an accredited college with a major in chemical dependency, psychology, social work, counseling, nursing (with a clinical specialty in the human services) or other related field which includes a practicum in a health or human service agency, preferably in a drug and alcohol setting. If the practicum did not take place in a drug and alcohol setting, the individual's written training plan shall specifically address a plan to achieve counseling competency in chemical dependency issues.
(3) A Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college with a major in chemical dependency, psychology, social work, counseling, nursing (with a clinical specialty in the human services) or other related field and 1 year of clinical experience (a minimum of 1,820 hours) in a health or human service agency, preferably in a drug and alcohol setting. If a person's experience did not take place in a drug and alcohol setting, the individual's written training plan shall specifically address a plan to achieve counseling competency in chemical dependency issues.
(4) An Associate Degree from an accredited college with a major in chemical dependency, psychology, social work, counseling, nursing (with a clinical specialty in the human services) or other related field and 2 years of clinical experience (a minimum of 3,640 hours) in a health or human service agency, preferably in a drug and alcohol setting. If a person's experience was not in a drug and alcohol setting, the individual's written training plan shall specifically address a plan to achieve counseling competency in chemical dependency issues.
(5) Current licensure in this Commonwealth as a registered nurse and a degree from an accredited school of nursing and 1 year of counseling experience (a minimum of 1,820 hours) in a health or human service agency, preferably in a drug and alcohol setting. If a person's experience was not in a drug and alcohol setting, the individual's written training plan shall specifically address a plan to achieve counseling competency in chemical dependency issues.
(6) Full certification as an addictions counselor by a statewide certification body which is a member of a National certification body or certification by another state government's substance abuse counseling certification board.
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Observations
Based on one of six employee personnel records reviewed, the facility failed to provide documentation of the qualification of counselors for employee # 6. Employee # 6 was hired as a counselor on September 27, 2022 and was still in this position at the time of the inspection. Based on a review of employee # 6's personal record and resume, there was no documentation of at least one year of clinical experience or a qualifying degree. These findings were reviewed with facility staff during the licensing process.
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Plan of Correction
In accordance to 704.7(b), any further employees hired on as staff will have the correct clinical experience and degree as DDAP regulations follows.
Employee #6 will have two years as of September 27, 2024 and then will be properly promoted to counselor status.
Employee #6 has an Associate's degree in Legal Studies from Luzerne County Community College-6/2008 and an
Associate's degree in Elementary Education from Penn State-June 1994. Employee #6 is also currently enrolled in school to obtain her Bachelors. Close supervision will be performed with Employee #6 for the appropriate amount of time according to DDAP regulations.
The Clinical Director and Executive Director are the individuals responsible for hiring and will make sure there is proper documentation of clinical experience for any degree moving forward including proper supervision.
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