SECTION 448.908. Specialty Competencies of Staff Providing Services to Clients with COPSD

(a) Providers must ensure that services to clients are age-appropriate and are provided by staff within their scope of practice who have the following minimum knowledge, technical, and interpersonal competencies prior to providing services.

(1) Knowledge competencies:

(A) knowledge of the fact that psychiatric and substance use disorders are potentially recurrent relapsing disorders, and that although abstinence is the goal, relapses can be opportunities for learning and growth;

(B) knowledge of the impact of substance use disorders on developmental, social, and physical growth and development of children and adolescents;

(C) knowledge of interpersonal and family dynamics and their impact on individuals;

(D) knowledge of the current Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM) diagnostic criteria for psychiatric disorders and substance use disorders and the relationship between psychiatric disorders and substance use disorders;

(E) knowledge regarding the increased risks of self-harm, suicide, and violence in individuals;

(F) knowledge of the elements of an integrated treatment plan and community support plan for individuals;

(G) basic knowledge of pharmacology as it relates to individuals with a mental disorder;

(H) basic understanding of the neurophysiology of addiction;

(I) knowledge of the phases of recovery for individuals;

(J) knowledge of the relationship between COPSD and DSM Axis III disorders; and

(K) knowledge of self-help in recovery.

(2) Technical competencies:

(A) ability to perform age-appropriate assessments of clients; and

(B) ability to formulate an individualized treatment plan and community support plan for clients.

(3) Interpersonal competencies:

(A) ability to tailor interventions to the process of recovery for clients;

(B) ability to tailor interventions with readiness to change; and

(C) ability to engage and support clients who choose to participate in 12-step recovery programs.

(b) Within 90 days of the effective date of this rule, providers must ensure that staff who provide services to clients with COPSD have demonstrated the competencies described in subsection (a) of this section. These competencies may be evidenced by compliance with current licensure requirements of the governing or supervisory boards for the respective disciplines involved in serving clients with COPSD or by documentation regarding the attainment of the competencies described in subsection (a) of this section.

Source Note: The provisions of this §448.908 adopted to be effective September 1, 2004, 29 TexReg 2020; transferred effective September 1, 2004, as published in the Texas Register September 10, 2004, 29 TexReg 8842