12VAC35-105-1530: Clinically managed high-intensity residential services Level of care 3.5 staff criteria

A clinically managed high-intensity residential care program shall meet the following staff requirements. The program shall:

1. Offer telephone or in-person consultation with a physician, a licensed nurse practitioner, or a licensed physician assistant in case of emergency related to an individual's substance use disorder 24 hours a day seven days a week;

2. Offer onsite 24-hour-a-day clinical staffing by credentialed addiction treatment professionals in addition to other allied health professionals, such as peer recovery specialists, who work in an interdisciplinary team;

3. Have clinical staff knowledgeable about the biological and psychosocial dimensions of substance use and mental health disorders and their treatment. Staff shall be able to identify the signs and symptoms of acute psychiatric conditions. Staff shall have specialized training in behavior management techniques; and

4. Ensure that all clinical staff are qualified by training and experience and appropriately licensed, certified, or registered by the appropriate health regulatory board to serve individuals admitted to the service.