INITIAL COMMENTS
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This report is a result of an on-site licensure renewal inspection conducted on April 4, 2023 by staff from the Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs, Bureau of Program Licensure. Based on the findings of the on-site inspection, Abstinence Living at the Turning Point at Washington, Inc. 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
Based on staff records reviewed, a staff member designated as a counselor did not meet the experience requirement to be employed as a counselor in one of four records.
Staff #3 was hired as a residential educator on August 16, 2017 and was promoted to a counselor on November 28, 2022. Upon review of Staff #3's credentials, it was determined that they have less than one year clinical experience.
These findings were reviewed with facility staff during the licensing process.
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Plan of Correction
The Operations Manager confirms that Staff #3 was hired initially as a Resident Educator on August 16, 2017. Staff #3 was promoted to Counselor Assistant on August 4, 2022, and then to Counselor on November 28, 2022, when she received her Bachelor's Degree. We do confirm that Staff #3 does not have the required clinical experience. The requirement for 1 year of clinical experience has been reviewed with all applicable staff. Staff #3 will have the required clinical experience as of August 4, 2023. In the interim, she will continue to be supervised by the Clinical Director and Project Director. The Clinical Director and Operations Manager will ensure that any future Counseling staff will have the required degree and/or clinical experience, as applicable. This will be overseen by the Project Director. |