PERSONNEL REQUIREMENTS

PERSONNEL REQUIREMENTS

The Ship Group Community Services requires that all applicants submit authorization for background investigations. The existence of a prior criminal conviction will not necessarily make you ineligible for employment. It is the policy of The Ship Group Community Services to evaluate any adverse information obtained in the background investigation based upon a range of factors including, but not limited to, employment history and time, nature and job-relatedness of the offense.

Employees will be currently licensed, registered or certified in accordance with applicable State laws as appropriate to the services that are provided.

A personnel record will be maintained for each employee indicating the verification of training, experience, substantiated findings of abuse or neglect listed on the North Carolina Health Care Registry, and other qualifications for the positions including verification of appropriate licensure, registration or certification.

All agencies or services require that all applicants for employment disclose any criminal convictions. The impact of this information on a decision regarding employment shall be based upon the offense in relationship to the job for which the applicant is applying.

Continuing education will be documented in the personnel record.

ORIENTATION PROGRAMS will be provided to all employees prior to service provision, unless otherwise indicated per the Service Definition. Orientation will include, but is not limited to, training in:

• Blood-borne pathogens

• Client Rights

• Confidentiality

• NCI (North Carolina Interventions) or NVCI (Non-violent Crisis Interventions)

• Medication Administration

• Clinical Documentation

• How and when to intervene to stabilize/Crisis Response

• Least restrictive intervention techniques

• Understanding Cultural Diversity

• Motivational Interviewing (per Service Definition)

• Person-Centered Thinking (per Service Definition)

• PCP Instructional Elements (per Service Definition)

• Systems of Care (per Service Definition)

• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (per Service Definition)

• Workplace Safety

• Emergency Preparedness Procedures (i.e. fire, weather, etc.)

• Incident Reporting

• Diagnosis/other specific population served

All staff will be properly trained in First Aid and Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation, Seizure Management, and the Heimlich maneuver or other American Heart Association or Red Cross (American Health and Safety Institute curriculum guidelines are also approved) first aid techniques for relieving airway obstruction. Trained staff will be available at all times during direct care/therapy sessions.

The Ship Group Community Services requires medical statements/work clearance from all paraprofessional/clinical providers. The employee will submit at the time of initial approval and annually thereafter a medical statement from a licensed physician, nurse practitioner, or physician assistant.

The medical statement will be signed by the physician, nurse practitioner, or physician’s assistant and will indicate the general good physical and mental health of the individual, provide evidence of the absence of any indication of active tuberculosis and communicable diseases, or any other condition that poses a threat to clients. The most recent medical statement will be kept in the confidential personnel file.

The Ship Group Community Services Care will ensure that the Program Director, each staff member or any other individual who provides care or services to clients on behalf of the agency is:

• At least 18 years of age

• Able to read, write and understand and follow directions

• Meets the minimum level of education, competency, work experience, skills and other appropriate              qualifications for the position and

                • Has no known history of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of children or vulnerable adults.

The individuals serving as the Clinical Director, Program Director, and Team Lead of each service will have education, training, and at least one year’s experience related to the management and operation of a similar type of agency working with the priority populations.

COMPETENCIES OF QUALIFIED PROFESSIONALS & ASSOCIATE PROFESSIONALS:

APSM 30-1

There shall be no privileging requirements for qualified professionals or associate professionals.

Qualified professionals and associate professionals shall demonstrate knowledge, skills and abilities required by the population served.

Consulting professionals shall demonstrate knowledge, skills and ability required by population to serve and not be required to meet NCI, First aid, CPR, Blood borne Pathogens, Seizure Management and Heimlich maneuver as required by other staff.

At such time as a competency-based employment system is established by rulemaking, then qualified professionals and associate professionals shall demonstrate competence.

Competence shall be demonstrated by exhibiting core skills including:

• Technical knowledge;

• Cultural awareness;

• Analytical skills;

• Decision-making;

• Interpersonal skills;

• Communication skills; and

• Clinical skills

Qualified professionals as specified in 10A NCAC 27G .0104 (18) (a) are deemed to have met the requirements of the competency-based employment system in the State Plan for MH/DD/SAS.

The governing body for The Ship Group Community Services has developed and implemented policies and procedures for the initiation of an individualized supervision plan upon hiring each Associate Professional. The purpose of clinical supervision is to ensure that each client receives treatment or habilitation that is consistent with accepted standards of practice and the needs of the client.

The associate professional is supervised by a qualified professional with the population served for the period of time as specified in Rule .0104 of this Subchapter.

COMPETENCIES AND SUPERVISION OF PARAPROFESSIONALS:

APSM 30-1

There shall be no privileging requirements for paraprofessionals.

The Governing body of The Ship Group Community Services has developed and implemented policies and procedures for the initiation of the individualized supervision plan upon hiring each Para-professional. The purpose of clinical supervision is to ensure that each client receives treatment or habilitation that is consistent with accepted standards of practice and the needs of the client.

Paraprofessionals are supervised by an associate professional or by a qualified professional as specified in Rule .0104 of this Subchapter.

Paraprofessionals shall demonstrate knowledge, skills and abilities required by the population served. At such time as a competency-based employment system is established by rulemaking, then qualified professionals and associate professionals shall demonstrate competence.

Competence shall be demonstrated by exhibiting core skills including:

• Technical knowledge;

• Cultural awareness;

• Analytical skills

• Decision-making;

• Interpersonal skills;

• Communication skills; and

• Clinical skills,

PERSONNEL RECORDS

The Ship Group Community Services will have a written job description for each staff position which:

(1) Specifies the minimum level of education, competency, work experience, and other appropriate qualifications for the position

(2) Specifies the actual duties and responsibilities of the position

(3) Is signed by the staff member and/or clinical supervisor/team leader

(4) Is retained in the staff member's file.

The Ship Group Community Services shall ensure that each staff member or any other person who provides care or services to clients on behalf of the company:

• Is at least 18 years of age;

• is able to read, write, and understand and follow directions;

• meets the minimum level of education, competency, work experience, skills, and other appropriate qualifications for the position; and

• has no known history of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of children or vulnerable adults.

In addition to the qualifications specified in Paragraph (b) of this Rule, and except as modified in Section .6000 and other Sections of this Subchapter, an individual serving as director of an agency licensed under this Subchapter shall have education, training, and at least one year's experience related to the management and operation of a similar type of agencies working with priority populations.

Professionals who are providing supervision shall receive specific professional supervision skills training approved by DMH/DD/SAS within six months of employment. All supervisory personnel must complete a supervisory training program approved by DMH/DD/SAS and/or The Ship Group Community Services Administration.