Program Requirement One (1): Staffing – General Staffing Requirements

Program Requirement One (1): Staffing – General Staffing Requirements A. As part of the process leading to certification and recertification, and before certification or attestation, a community needs assessment and a staffing plan that is responsive to the community needs assessment are completed and documented. The needs assessment and staffing plan will be updated every two (2) years. B. The staff (both clinical and non-clinical) is appropriate for the population receiving services, as determined by the community needs assessment, in terms of size and composition and providing the types of services the CCBHC is required to and proposes to offer. Note: See criteria relating to required staffing of services for veterans. C. For CCBHC providers, the staffing plan should be predicated on the community needs assessment. For all DMH-certified providers, staffing must be appropriate to address the needs of people receiving services at the agency, as reflected in their plans of care, and as required to meet program requirements. D. Staffing plans should include clinical, peer and other staff and the provider’s service(s)/supports and program(s). Staffing plans must meet the requirements of DMH, as outlined in the DMH Operational Standards and as may be further issued via provider communications (with timely notice) and with addition of such herein, according to customary rules making practice. E. The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the CCBHC, or equivalent, maintains a fully staffed management team as appropriate for the size and needs of the clinic, as determined by the current community needs assessment and staffing plan. The management team will include, at a minimum, a CEO or equivalent/Project Director and a psychiatrist as Medical Director. The Medical Director need not be a full-time employee of the CCBHC. F. Depending on the size of the CCBHC, both positions (CEO or equivalent and the Medical Director) may be held by the same person. The Medical Director will provide guidance regarding behavioral health clinical service delivery, ensure the quality of the medical component of care, and provide guidance to foster the integration and coordination of behavioral health and primary care. G. If a CCBHC is unable, after reasonable efforts, to employ or contract with a psychiatrist as Medical Director, a medically trained behavioral health care professional with prescriptive authority and appropriate education, licensure, and experience in psychopharmacology, and who can prescribe and manage medications independently, pursuant to state law, may serve as the Medical Director. In addition, if a CCBHC is unable to hire a psychiatrist and hires another prescriber instead, psychiatric consultation will be obtained regarding behavioral health clinical service delivery, quality of the medical component of care, and integration and coordination of behavioral health and primary care. H. The CCBHC maintains liability/malpractice insurance adequate for the staffing and scope of services provided.