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 personnel records, the facility failed to employ counselors who met one of the requirements specified at Chapter 704. 7(b).
The findings included :
Eight personnel records were reviewed on February 9-10, 2016. Five personnel records were reviewed as counselors. Three counselors were reviewed as new employees and required documentation of qualifications. Employee record # 5 did not have documentation of one year of clinical experience at the time of hire and therefore was not qualified for their designation as a counselor.
Employee # 5 was hired as a counselor on June 4, 2015. The employee has a Masters degree in Criminal Justice and meets the educational requirement. The employee's resume did not document a practicum in a health or human service agency nor 1 year of clinical experience in a health or human service agency.
These findings were reviewed with facility staff during the licensing process.
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Plan of Correction
As of 2/10/16 Facility Director changed employee's title to Counselor Assistant. Facility Director and employee reviewed and signed new job description for Counselor Assistant. Facility Director reviewed and discussed new training plan which was then signed by Facility Director and Counselor Assistant. Counselor Assistant will attend required supervision until she reaches a year of clinical experience. At that time her title will be reevaluated. Facility Director will review potential clinical hires with Regional Director to determine correct job title, and ensure compliance with 704.9(b) |