Sec. 10.21.17.14. Staff Credentials, Competencies, and Privileges

A. The program director shall ensure that staff and consultants perform only those duties for which the staff and consultants have the appropriate credentials and competencies according to the provisions of this regulation.

B. Staff Credentials. The program director shall ensure that the program has in effect a process for reviewing credentials that requires the program to collect, verify, review, and document the following information:

(1) Education;

(2) If required, primary source verification of licenses or certification under Health Occupations Article, Annotated Code of Maryland, to practice a health occupation; and

(3) Documentation of professional liability insurance that is carried either individually or through the program.

C. Staff Competencies. The program director, in consultation, if appropriate, with the medical director, clinical director, or program psychiatrist, shall develop and implement:

(1) A process by which the program reviews and evaluates:

(a) Education, credentials, and additional training;

(b) Relevant work experience, including experience with populations served by the program, including but not limited to:

(i) Adults with serious and persistent mental illness;

(ii) Children and adolescents with serious emotional disturbance; and

(iii) Elderly individuals with mental illness; and

(c) Competencies required to perform the services rendered;

(2) A system to grant, deny, suspend, or revoke privileges to perform specific services; and

(3) Methods for periodic review of credentials and competencies.

D. Staff Criminal Conduct.

(1) If a staff member is charged with a crime that involves abuse of an individual, or individuals served by the program, the governing body, board of directors, or advisory committee, whichever applies, shall have a process to determine, without the participation of the staff member in interest, whether the staff member can continue to provide services.

(2) If the governing body, board of directors, or advisory committee, whichever applies, determines that the staff member may continue to provide services, the governing body, board of directors, or advisory committee, whichever applies, shall determine the capacity in which the staff member may continue to provide services until the charges are resolved.