Sec. 10.21.21.10. Staff Qualifications and Responsibilities

A. Program Director. The program director:

(1) Shall have sufficient qualifications, knowledge, and experience to execute the duties of the position;

(2) Shall be knowledgeable of the regulations applicable to the program;

(3) Shall be responsible for administrative oversight of the PRP including, at a minimum:

(a) Fulfilling the administrative requirements under COMAR 10.21.17;

(b) Fulfilling the programmatic requirements of this chapter;

(c) Keeping the advisory committee, or governing body, whichever is applicable, informed of, at a minimum, the program's approval status and performance;

(d) Quality management; and

(e) Ensuring the development of a staffing plan that identifies the type and number of staff needed to provide a program of rehabilitation and recovery services for individuals with serious mental illness; and

(4) May be responsible for the duties of the psychiatric rehabilitation specialist under §B of this regulation as specified in Regulation .11B-D of this chapter.

B. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Specialist. The program director shall employ at least one psychiatric rehabilitation specialist who:

(1) Is either a:

(a) Licensed mental health professional;

(b) Rehabilitation counselor who is currently certified by the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification; or

(c) Bachelor's prepared certified psychiatric rehabilitation practitioner currently certified by the U.S. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Association;

(2) Develops and assures that rehabilitation services meet the needs of the individuals served by the program;

(3) Oversees the daily program of rehabilitation services; and

(4) Educates direct care staff on how to provide rehabilitation services that correlate to the goals identified in the individual's IRP or ITRP.

C. Psychiatric Rehabilitation Direct Care Staff. The program shall employ psychiatric rehabilitation direct care staff who:

(1) Have 40 hours of PRP training before independently providing PRP services;

(2) Have, at a minimum, a high school diploma or equivalency diploma; and

(3) Are responsible for implementing the rehabilitation activities outlined in the individual's IRP.