Louisiana Administrative Code
Title 48 - PUBLIC HEALTH-GENERAL
Part I - General Administration
Subpart 3 - Licensing and Certification
Chapter 56 - Behavioral Health Service Providers
Subchapter E - Personnel
Section I-5643 - Core Staffing Personnel Qualifications and Responsibilities

Universal Citation: LA Admin Code I-5643

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 12, December 20, 2024

A. All BHS providers shall abide by the following minimum core staffing requirements and shall meet the additional requirements. All BHS providers shall also meet the additional requirements for each specialized program or module pursuant to the provisions of this Chapter as applicable to each BHS provider.

B. Professional Staffing Standards. All BHS providers shall, at a minimum, have the following staff:

1. a medical director who:
a. is a physician, or an APRN, or a MP, with a current, unrestricted license to practice in the state of Louisiana with two years of qualifying experience in treating psychiatric disorders;

EXCEPTION: Mental health rehabilitation providers exclusively providing the evidence-based practice multi-systemic therapy (MST), functional family therapy (FFT), or Homebuilders are excluded from the requirement of having a medical director. Such shall have a clinical director in accordance with §5643.B 2

b. has the following assigned responsibilities:
i. ensures that the necessary medical services are provided to meet the needs of the clients;

ii. provides oversight for provider policy/procedure, client treatment plans and staff regarding the medical needs of the clients according to the current standards of medical practice;

iii. directs the specific course of medical treatment for all clients;

iv. reviews reports of all medically related accidents/incidents occurring on the premises and identify hazards to the administrator;

v. participates in the development and implementation of policies and procedures for the delivery of services;

vi. periodically reviews delivery of services to ensure care meets the current standards of practice; and

vii. participates in the development of new programs and modifications;

c. has the following responsibilities or designates the duties to a qualified practitioner:
i. writes the admission and discharge orders;

ii. writes and approves all prescription medication orders;

iii. develops, implements and provides education regarding the protocols for administering prescription and non-prescription medications on-site;

iv. provides consultative and on-call coverage to ensure the health and safety of clients;

v. collaborates with the clients primary care physician and psychiatrists as needed for continuity of the clients care; and

d. may also fulfill the role of the clinical director, if the individual is qualified to perform the duties of both roles;

2. a clinical director who, for those mental health rehabilitation providers which exclusively provide the evidenced-based practice multi-systemic therapy (MST), functional family therapy (FFT) or Homebuilders:
a. is a licensed psychiatrist, psychologist, clinical social worker, professional counselor (LPC) or marriage and family therapist (LMFT) with a minimum of two years qualifying experience in treating psychiatric disorders and who maintains a current, unrestricted license to practice in the state of Louisiana;

b. has the following assigned responsibilities:
i. ensures that the necessary services are provided to meet the needs of the clients;

ii. provides oversight for provider policy/procedure, client treatment plans and staff regarding the clinical needs of the clients according the current standards of clinical practice;

iii. directs the specific course of clinical treatment for all clients;

iv. reviews reports of all accidents/incidents occurring on the premises and identifies hazards to the administrator;

v. participates in the development and implementation of policies and procedures for the delivery of services;

vi. periodically reviews delivery of services to ensure care meets the current standards of practice; and

vii. participates in the development of new programs and modifications; and

c. has the following responsibilities or designates the duties to a qualified practitioner:
i. provides consultative and on-call coverage to ensure the health and safety of clients; and

ii. collaborates with the clients primary care physician and psychiatrist as needed for continuity of the clients care.

3. an administrator who:
a. has either a bachelors degree from an accredited college or university or one year of qualifying experience that demonstrates adequate knowledge, experience and expertise in business management;

b. is responsible for the on-site day to day operations of the BHS provider and supervision of the overall BHS providers operation commensurate with the authority conferred by the governing body; and

c. shall not perform any programmatic duties and/or make clinical decisions unless licensed to do so;

d. viii. Repealed.

4. a clinical supervisor who, with the exception of opioid treatment programs:
a. is an LMHP that maintains a current and unrestricted license with its respective professional board or licensing authority in the state of Louisiana;

b. shall be on duty and on call as needed;
i. - ii. Repealed.

c. has two years of qualifying clinical experience as an LMHP in the provision of services provided by the provider;

d. shall have the following responsibilities:
i. provide supervision utilizing evidenced-based techniques related to the practice of behavioral health counseling;

ii. serve as resource person for other professionals counseling persons with behavioral health disorders;

iii. attend and participate in care conferences, treatment planning activities, and discharge planning;

iv. provide oversight and supervision of such activities as recreation, art/music or vocational education;

v. function as client advocate in treatment decisions;

vi. ensure the provider adheres to rules and regulations regarding all behavioral health treatment, such as group size, caseload, and referrals;

vii. provide only those services that are within the persons scope of practice; and

viii. assist the clinical director and/or medical director and governing body with the development and implementation of policies and procedures;

5. nursing staff who, for those BHS providers whose services include medication management and/or addiction treatment services:
a. provide the nursing care and services under the direction of a registered nurse (RN) necessary to meet the needs of the clients; and
i. A BHS provider with clients who are unable to self-administer medication shall have a sufficient number of nurses on staff to meet the medication needs of its clients.

ii. Nursing services may be provided directly by the BHS provider or may be provided or arranged via written contract, agreement, policy, or other document. The BHS provider shall maintain documentation of such arrangement.

C. Other Staffing Requirements. The provider shall abide by the following staffing requirements that are applicable to its provider:

1. Licensed Mental Health Professionals
a. The provider shall maintain a sufficient number of LMHPs, who are licensed to practice independently in the state of Louisiana to diagnose and treat mental illness and/or substance use, to meet the needs of the provider's clients.

b. The LMHP has the following responsibilities:
i. provide direct care to clients utilizing the core competencies of addiction counseling and/or mental health counseling and may serve as primary counselor to specified caseload;

ii. serve as resource person for other professionals in their specific area of expertise;

iii. attend and participate in individual care conferences, treatment planning activities, and discharge planning;

iv. provide on-site and direct professional supervision of any UP or inexperienced professional;

v. function as the clients advocate in all treatment decisions affecting the client; and

vi. prepare and write notes or other documents related to recovery (e.g. assessment, progress notes, treatment plans, discharge, etc.).

2. CPST Professionals
a. The provider shall maintain a sufficient number of CPST professionals to meet the needs of its clients;

b. CPST professionals shall:
i. provide direct care to clients and may serve as primary clinician to specified caseload under clinical supervision;

ii. serve as resource person for other professionals and paraprofessionals in their specific area of expertise;

iii. attend and participate in individual care conferences, treatment planning activities and discharge planning;

iv. function as the clients advocate in all treatment decisions affecting the client; and

v. prepare and write notes or other documents related to recovery (e.g., assessment, progress notes, treatment plans, etc.).

3. Unlicensed Professionals
a. The provider shall maintain a sufficient number of UPs to meet the needs of its clients;

b. The UP shall:
i. provide direct care to clients and may serve as primary case worker to specified caseload under clinical supervision;

ii. serve as resource person for other professionals and paraprofessionals in their specific area of expertise;

iii. attend and participate in individual care conferences, treatment planning activities and discharge planning;

iv. function as the client's advocate in all treatment decisions affecting the client; and

v. prepare and write notes or other documents related to recovery (e.g., assessment, progress notes, treatment plans, etc.).

c - d.x. Repealed.

4. Direct Care Aides
a. A residential provider shall have a sufficient number of direct care aides to meet the needs of the clients;
i. - viii. Repealed.

b. A provider that provides outpatient services shall use direct care aides as needed;
i. - v. Repealed.

c. Direct care aides shall meet the following minimum qualifications:
i. have obtained a high school diploma or equivalent; and

ii. be at least 18 years old in an adult provider and 21 years old in a provider that treats children and/or adolescents.

iii. Repealed.

d. Direct care aides shall have the following responsibilities:
i. ensure a safe environment for clients;

ii. exercise therapeutic communication skills;

iii. take steps to de-escalate distressed clients;

iv. observe and document client behavior;

v. assist with therapeutic and recreational activities;

vi. monitor clients' physical well-being;

vii. provide input regarding client progress to the interdisciplinary team;

viii. oversee the activities of the facility when there is no professional staff on duty;

ix. possess adequate orientation and skills to assess situations related to relapse and to provide access to appropriate medical care when needed; and

x. function as client advocate.

5. Volunteers
a. If a BHS provider utilizes volunteers, provider shall ensure that each volunteer is:
i. supervised to protect clients and staff;

ii. oriented to the provider, job duties, and other pertinent information;

iii. trained to meet the requirements of duties assigned;

iv. given a written job description or written agreement;

v. identified as a volunteer;

vi. trained in privacy measures;

vii. required to sign a written confidentiality agreement; and

viii. required to submit to a statewide criminal background check by an agency authorized by the Office of the State Police to conduct criminal background checks prior to providing direct care.

b. If a BHS provider utilizes student volunteers, it shall ensure that each student volunteer:
i. has current registration with the applicable Louisiana professional board, when required, and is in good standing at all times that is verified by the provider;

ii. is actively pursuing a degree in a human service field or professional level licensure or certification at all times;

iii. provides direct client care utilizing the standards developed by the professional board;

iv. provides care only under the direct supervision of the appropriate supervisor; and

v. provides only those services for which the student has been trained and deemed competent to perform.

c. A volunteer's duties may include:
i. direct care activities only when qualified provider personnel are present;

ii. errands, recreational activities; and

iii. individual assistance to support services.

d. The provider shall designate a volunteer coordinator who:
i. has the experience and training to supervise the volunteers and their activities; and

ii. is responsible for selecting, evaluating and supervising the volunteers and their activities.

6. Care Coordinator
a. The provider shall ensure that each care coordinator:
i. has a high school diploma or equivalent;

ii. is at least 18 years old in an adult provider and 21 years old in provider that treats children and/or adolescents; and

iii. has been trained to perform assigned job duties.

D. Multiple Positions. If a BHS provider employs a staff member in more than one position, the provider shall ensure that:

1. the person is qualified to function in both capacities; and

2. one person is able to perform the responsibilities of both jobs.

E. - E.2. Repealed.

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 36:254 and R.S. 40:2151-2161.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Louisiana may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
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