Staffing Pattern

Licensed or Approved Providers that directly provide services shall: (A) Provide an adequate number of qualified personnel to fulfill the service objectives and needs of each patient based on acuity, patient assessments, treatment plans, and other relevant factors as determined by the Licensed or Approved Provider. At a minimum, such staffing shall include: (1) A program director who shall administer the day-to-day operations of the facility and who shall be on the premises during regular business hours. In his or her absence a professional staff person shall be designated to act in his/her place. The Licensed or Approved Provider shall provide the designee with contact information for the administration in the event of an emergency. (2) A multidisciplinary team that includes professionals sufficient to meet the needs of each patient or resident served with recognized expertise in a variety of areas of substance use disorder treatment. The team may include, as necessary to care for patients and residents served, Licensed or Approved Provider's staff as well as other treatment professionals through QSOAs. The team may include physicians, psychiatrists, psychologists, acupuncturists, advanced practice registered nurses, physician assistants, registered nurses, licensed practical nurses, social workers, psychiatric nurses, substance use disorder counselors with master's or bachelor's degrees in a related field and certified or licensed substance use disorder counselors. (a) The multidisciplinary team shall review assessments, treatment plans and other patient and resident-specific issues to ensure quality of services and to provide education and training to staff. (b) The Licensed or Approved Provider shall ensure the multidisciplinary team is incorporated into the staffing plan. (B) Establish a staffing pattern sufficient to meet the program's patient or resident acuity, which includes paid staff in numbers, qualifications and shift coverage to ensure: (1) required services are provided; (2) safety of patients or residents and staff; and (3) the program operates in accordance with 105 CMR 164.000.