INITIAL COMMENTS
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This report is a result of a supervisory review of the written report of the findings from the on-site licensing inspection that was conducted on February 14, 2017 by staff from the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, Program Licensure Division.
Based on the supervisory review, Genesis House Inc. - Harrisburg 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 supervisory review:
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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
A review of staff records was completed on February 14, 2017. Based on this review, the facility failed to ensure each counselor met the qualifications of that position as Employee #8 lacked the education required. According to Employee #8's transcript, it indicated a Bachelors in Arts with a major in Political Science. This degree is not one of the specific majors accepted by the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs for this position.
These findings were reviewed with facility staff during the licensing inspection .
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Plan of Correction
The facility director used the resume that was supplied by INDEED.com. This resume had listed a degree that was accepted by DDAP. The dates on this resume was incorrect as well. When the potential employee supplied the current resume the Director did not notice that the degree had changed as well. The agency had ensured all qualifications were met. New hire orientation had been completed by two individuals and the clinical director did not pay attention to the new hire degree when it was furnished. The agency realized that this has been an issue with Indeed.
When the Clinical Director and the Facility director had completed the short form for DDAP at the end of January, they realized the mistake that had been made. We reviewed the staff's caseload and were able to see that her caseload had been transitioned as a counselor assistant. She does receive over two hours of direct supervision a week and over 5 hours of indirect supervision a week. Her supervision notes mark progress in areas prior to her taking on a new task. The corrective action plan had been implemented prior to the citation
STARTING 2/6/17 the agency implemented a corrective action plan based on our own findings. This Corrective Action plan requires that the director is requiring all candidates to bring their current resume, degree, transcripts, application, and clearances to the first interview. If the candidate does not have this information in the first interview a second will not be scheduled by the director. The director will ensure all information matches up prior to moving towards the hire process.
on 3/31/17 The Director created a policy and procedure and implemented this regarding the following tasks:
1. all potential candidates will be sent the application, clearance information prior to their scheduled interviews by the director. The candidate will be required to present this information as well as a resume, cover letter, actual degree, and transcripts in order for the interview to take place. If the candidate does bring these things to the interview the Director will review the resume to ensure the information on the document appears to be correct and will also ask about discrepancies. IF the degree and the experience matches the requirements the Director will schedule a second interview. If the degree and the experience does not match the requirements the individual will not be scheduled for the second interview.
2. The clinical director will do the second interview and she will have all the documentation, resume, cover letter, application, degree, and transcripts. She will review this information prior to the second interview to ensure that no mistakes were made by the Director. She will ensure that the candidate meets DDAP requirements.
3.Prior to a selection being made the director and clinical director will tally experience and verify experience and degree prior to offering the position.
4. The Director will create a letter of offer and the clinical director will ensure the offer letter matches the actual position being offered to ensure that the director has not missed the word "assistant" if this is the offered position. |