INITIAL COMMENTS
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This report is a result of an on-site licensure renewal inspection conducted on February 8, 2017 by staff from the Division of Drug and Alcohol Program Licensure. Based on the findings of the on-site inspection, LaRocco Counseling was found not to be in compliance with the applicable chapters of 28 PA Code which pertain to the facility. The following deficiencies were identified during this inspection:
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Plan of Correction
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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
The facility failed to document that each counselor met the qualifications for the position.
Personnel records were reviewed on February 8, 2017. Staff #4 did not meet the qualifications for the position of counselor.
Staff #4 was hired as a counselor on 8/17/16. Staff #4 holds a Bachelor's Degree in History, which does not meet the educational requirement for the position of counselor.
These findings were reviewed with facility staff during the licensing process.
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Plan of Correction
Staff #4 was terminated due to not meeting the requirements for the counselor position as well misleading the Project Director into believing Staff #4 had a Master Degree (Master of Arts). Staff #4 stated at time of hire that Staff #4 did in fact possess a Master Degree which Staff #4 did not have, Staff #4 only had a Certificate from a Graduate Program in Addictions Counseling.
Moving forward, Project Director will ensure that staff hired meet the qualifications for the hired position adhering to criteria set by PA Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs. In addition, Project Director , will not allow any employee to begin employment without having submitted all documentation needed to verify qualifications. |
709.25 LICENSURE Fiscal Management
§ 709.25. Fiscal management.
The project shall obtain the services of an independent certified public accountant for an annual financial audit of activities associated with the project ' s drug/alcohol abuse services, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles which include reference to the drug and alcohol treatment activities.
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Observations
The facility failed to document the completion of a financial audit for the 2015 fiscal year.
These findings were reviewed with facility staff during the licensing process.
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Plan of Correction
Project Director had submitted a request in December of 2015 for exception from this audit due to gross income being below 500,000 dollars, and the financial hardship the audit would have created for the facility. No response was given at the time of submission, and the facility believed to be exempt from this audit. The facility has recently resubmitted this exception again for review. If determined that the exception will not be granted for the year of 2015 , Project Director will hire a certified public accountant to conduct this and subsequent audits. |