Sec. 14.31.06.06. Employee Duties and Qualifications

A. Program Administrator.

(1) The Board shall employ a certified program administrator responsible for:

(a) Overall administration of the program;

(b) Implementation of all policies;

(c) Maintenance of the physical plant; and

(d) Fiscal accountability.

(2) The program administrator shall be certified as required by Health Occupations Article, Title 20, Annotated Code of Maryland.

(3) The Board may appoint a noncertified individual to serve in the capacity of acting program administrator in accordance with Health Occupations Article, Title 20, Annotated Code of Maryland.

B. Direct Care Staff.

(1) The licensee shall employ direct child care staff to:

(a) Assist the children in meeting the goals and objectives of their individual plans of care;

(b) Guide and supervise the children in accordance with the Residents’ Bill of Rights in Human Services Article, §8-707, Annotated Code of Maryland;

(c) Manage the children’s behavior;

(d) Promote the physical and emotional well-being of the children; and

(e) Facilitate the attainment of independent living skills based on the needs of the child.

(2) Direct care staff shall be 21 years old or older and have a high school diploma or its equivalent.

C. Human Service Professionals. The licensee shall employ human service professionals appropriate to the needs of the child and the nature of the program to perform functions in accordance with Regulation .17 of this chapter, including:

(1) Developing, reviewing, and signing each individual plan of care;

(2) Consulting with and training employees regarding implementation of each individual plan of care;

(3) Developing, reviewing, and signing each individual plan of care and discharge plan;

(4) Participating in the admission process;

(5) Providing counseling services to the children directly or through community resources; and

(6) Serving as a liaison to the children’s parents or legal guardian, schools, juvenile court, and other social and community services.

D. Other Professional Service Providers. The licensee shall:

(1) Obtain any other professional services, including consultation required for the implementation of individual plans of care, that are not available from its employees;

(2) Ensure that the professionals are qualified, certified, or licensed appropriately for the nature of the service; and

(3) Obtain the signature of the professional in agreement to comply with the licensee’s confidentiality policy.

E. Volunteers or Student Interns. If volunteers or student interns are used, the licensee shall:

(1) Adhere to a written plan for the participation of volunteers or student interns;

(2) Ensure that volunteers and student interns who have direct contact with the children and who perform the duties of an RCYCP:

(a) Are supervised and evaluated by appropriate staff;

(b) Are not used to replace a required staff position;

(c) Have references verified by the licensee;

(d) Are oriented and trained in:

(i) The philosophy of the program;

(ii) The needs and rights of the children; and

(iii) The methods of meeting those needs;

(e) As appropriate, are aware of or have input into the children’s individual plans of care;

(f) Annually are screened for tuberculosis by the Mantoux method or the current Centers for Disease Control and Prevention standard and analysis of results or, for a volunteer or student intern whose screening results were positive, provide an annual medical certification that the individual presents no symptoms of active tuberculosis;

(g) Are not permitted to have unsupervised access to children until the licensee has:

(i) Received the results of a criminal background check;

(ii) Received the results of a child protective services check;

(iii) Resubmitted an application for a child protective services check every 2 years from the date of commencement of the provisions of services; and

(iv) Completed the training required in Regulation .05E of this chapter; and

(h) Provide the licensee a copy of applicable professional credentials.