Qualifications for Programs of Assertive Community Treatment (PACT)

Qualifications for Programs of Assertive Community Treatment (PACT) A. Each PACT team must have: 1. Team Leader: Team leader must have either: (1) a professional license; or (2) a DMH credential as a Certified Mental Health Therapist. 2. Psychiatrist/Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner: A psychiatrist/psychiatric nurse practitioner, who works on a full-time or part-time basis, and meets applicable licensure requirements of state boards. 3. Registered Nurse (RN): The RN must be licensed by the applicable state licensure board. 4. Master’s Level Mental Health Professionals: Mental health professionals have: (1) professional degrees in one (1) of the mental health disciplines, outlined below; (2) clinical training, including internships and other supervised practical experiences, in a clinical or rehabilitation setting; and (3) clinical work experience with people with severe and persistent mental illness. Mental health professionals include people with graduate-level degrees in nursing, social work, rehabilitation counseling, or psychology, RNs, and registered occupational therapists. They are licensed or certified and operate under the scope of practice and code of ethics of their professions. 5. Substance Use Disorders Specialist: A mental health professional, as outlined above, with training and experience in substance use disorders assessment and treatment. 6. Employment Specialist: A mental health professional, as outlined above, with training and experience in rehabilitation counseling. 7. Certified Peer Support Specialist Professional (CPSSP): At least one (1) full-time equivalent Certified Peer Support Specialist Professional. 8. Remaining Clinical Personnel: The remaining clinical personnel may be bachelor’s level and paraprofessional mental health workers. A bachelor’s level mental health worker may have a bachelor’s degree in social work or a behavioral sciences degree and work experience with adults with severe and persistent mental illness. A para- professional mental health worker may have a bachelor’s degree in a field other than social work or behavioral sciences or have a high school diploma or GED equivalent and work experience with adults with severe and persistent mental illness or with people with similar human service needs. These paraprofessionals may have related training (e.g., certified occupational therapy assistant, home health care aide) or work experience (e.g., teaching). 9. Service Assistant: Assistants must have at least a high school diploma or a GED equivalent.