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 a review of four personnel records on February 16, 2011, the facility failed to ensure that each counselor met the qualifications for the position in one of four records, as required.
Findings:
In personnel record #4, the counselor did not meet the qualifications for the position of counselor because their degree, Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration, was not in a related field. The facility identified the staff member as a counselor but the degree failed to meet the regulations required for the position The staff member qualified as a counselor assistant. This information was provided to the facility during the inspection.
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Plan of Correction
Employee identified as #4 shall undergo a 3-month period of direct supervision and additional 3 months of close supervision. This direct supervision will be conducted by the Treatment Supervisor and the close supervision shall be conducted by the Adult Partial Coordinator. This has already begun as of February 17, 2011. Full compliance with the standards will be completed on August 17, 2011. In addition, Counselor Assistant is eligible for State Certification testing through PCB (Certified Alcohol and Drug Counselor) which will make her qualified as a counselor per staffing regulations. Arrangements have been made to have Counselor Assistant take test to become certified. |