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 upon the review of employee records, the facility failed to ensure that each counselor met the qualifications for the position in one of two records reviewed.
The findings include:
Two employee records requiring documentation of the employees' educational qualifications were reviewed from December 2, 2013, as part of an administrative review.
The facility failed to verify the required clinical experience in employee record # 8.
Employee # 8 was hired as a Counselor on October 7, 2013 based on a Bachelor ' s in Social Work. A review of the employee ' s resume did not outline the required year of clinical experience.
The findings were confirmed by a Clinical Supervisor on December 3, 2013.
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Plan of Correction
The Clinical Supervisor has reclassified employee #8 to Counselor Assistant as of December 3, 2013. A position description matching this title has been completed and filed in the personnel file by the Clinical Supervisor. Clinical Supervisor began monitoring and supervising employee #8 as of December 3, 2013 as per the state regulations regarding supervision over the Counselor Assistant. Clinical Supervisor has begun monitoring and supervising employee #8 as of December 3, 2013 as per the state regulations regarding supervision over the Counselor Assistant. Clinical Supervisor will provide weekly direct observation to Employee #8. A monthly audit of the personnel file by the Program Director will be conducted to ensure documentation of weekly supervision is reflected within employee #8's personnel file. Moving forward, NET HR personnel will ensure verification of degree of all future hires prior to official hire |