Rule 111-8-19-.10 - Staffing(1) The program shall have sufficient types and numbers of staff as required by these rules to provide the treatment and services offered to clients and outlined in its program description.(2) Staff subject to professional practice acts must be in compliance with the state practice acts.(3) Counseling services are provided by individuals qualified by education, training, and experience to provide substance abuse counseling and who are licensed/certified if required by state practice acts.(4) The medical responsibility for each client will be vested in a licensed physician who oversees all medical services provided by the program. Physician assistants or nurse practitioners may be utilized to the extent allowed by state practice acts.(5) Each program shall have available professional mental health consultation to review selected cases and to provide assistance to the staff in client management or for referral for psychiatric services.(6) The clinical director must be either a doctor of medicine licensed to practice in this state, or a licensed practitioner who is licensed to provide treatment, therapeutic advice or counsel for the rehabilitation of drug dependent persons in compliance with state practice acts, or a certified addiction counselor.(7) For any employee hired after the effective date of these rules, employment and criminal background checks shall be conducted prior to employment, and only persons with no history of violence or abuse which would pose a risk to the clients in treatment shall be employed by the program.(8) Staff Training and Orientation. Prior to working with clients, all staff who provide treatment and services shall be oriented in accordance with these rules and shall thereafter receive additional training in accordance with these rules. (a) Orientation shall include instruction in: 1. The program's written policies and procedures regarding its program purpose and description; client rights, responsibilities, and complaints; confidentiality; and other policies and procedures that are relevant to the employee's range of duties and responsibilities, including the use of universal precautions for infection control, use of behavior management and emergency safety interventions, and information about HIV/AIDS;2. The employee's assigned duties and responsibilities; and3. Reporting client progress and problems to supervisory personnel and procedures for handling medical emergencies or other incidents that affect the delivery of treatment or services.(b) Additional training consisting of a minimum of thirty (30) clock hours of training or instruction shall be provided annually for each staff member who provides treatment services to clients. Such training shall be in subjects that relate to the employee's assigned duties and responsibilities.Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. R. 111-8-19-.10
O.C.G.A. §§ 26-5-5, 26-5-6.
Original Rule entitled "Staffing" adopted. F. Sep. 9, 2013; eff. Sept. 29, 2013.