WSR 02-07-084

PERMANENT RULES

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH


(Chemical Dependency Professionals)

[ Filed March 19, 2002, 3:50 p.m. ]

     Date of Adoption: February 11, 2002.

     Purpose: The proposed rules establish continuing competency definitions, requirements, scope and purpose, reporting requirements, and set the audit documentation requirements. The field of chemical dependency is growing and changing rapidly. There is concern that counselors working in this field need to continually seek out opportunities to keep up with current information.

     Statutory Authority for Adoption: RCW 18.205.060(12).

      Adopted under notice filed as WSR 01-24-040 on November 28, 2001.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Comply with Federal Statute: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; Federal Rules or Standards: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Recently Enacted State Statutes: New 8, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted at Request of a Nongovernmental Entity: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted on the Agency's Own Initiative: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted in Order to Clarify, Streamline, or Reform Agency Procedures: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0.

     Number of Sections Adopted Using Negotiated Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0;      Pilot Rule Making: New 0, Amended 0, Repealed 0; or Other Alternative Rule Making: New 8, Amended 0, Repealed 0.
     Effective Date of Rule: Thirty-one days after filing.

Mary C. Selecky

Secretary

OTS-4762.2

CONTINUING COMPETENCY PROGRAM
NEW SECTION
WAC 246-811-200   What continuing competency definitions should I know?   (1) Continuing education means a program or course (including distance learning), seminars, or workshops, professional conferences approved by an industry recognized local, state, national, international organization or institution of higher learning.

     (2) Professional development activities means addiction competencies as outlined in WAC 246-811-047, including: Clinical evaluation, individual counseling, group counseling, counseling family, couples, and significant others, professional and ethical responsibilities, understanding addiction, treatment knowledge, application to practice, professional readiness, treatment planning, referral, service coordination, client, family, and community education, screening, intake, assessment, clinical reports, clinical progress notes, discharge summaries, and other client related data.

     (3) Industry recognized is any local, state, national, international organization, or institution of higher learning, including, but not limited to, the following organizations:

     (a) National Association of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse Counselors (NAADAC);

     (b) National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers (NAATP);

     (c) International Certification and Reciprocity Consortium (ICRC);

     (d) Northwest Indian alcohol/drug specialist certification board;

     (e) Chemical dependency counselor certification board;

     (f) Institutions of higher learning that are accredited by a national or regional accrediting body recognized by the Commission on Recognition of Postsecondary Accreditation; or

     (g) Division of alcohol and substance abuse (DASA).

     (4) Distance learning is industry recognized education obtained to enhance proficiency in one or more of the professional development activities as outlined in subsection (2) of this section, through sources such as, internet coursework, satellite downlink resources, telecourses, or correspondence courses.

     (5) Agency sponsored training is training provided by an agency that is not limited to people working within that agency and is a professional development activity as outlined in subsection (2) of this section.

     (6) In-service training is training provided by an agency that is limited to people working within that agency and is a professional development activity as outlined in subsection (2) of this section.

     (7) Continuing competency enhancement plan is a plan showing the goals the CDP will develop to continue proficiency in their profession. The plan will be based on core competencies as listed in WAC 246-811-047. The plan will be developed on forms provided by the department.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 246-811-210   What is the scope and purpose of a continuing competency program?   To enhance the professional competency of the CDP. A successful continuing competency program focuses on all aspects of professional practice to ensure that the practitioner is competent to provide safe and quality care to patients. The purpose of the professional development activities is to broaden the experience that a CDP may undertake to maintain competency.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 246-811-220   What are the continuing competency program requirements?   (1) CDPs must complete an enhancement plan;

     (2) CDPs must complete twenty-eight hours of continuing education; and

     (3) CDPs must complete twelve hours of other professional development activities as outlined in WAC 246-811-047 and 246-811-200(2).

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NEW SECTION
WAC 246-811-230   What is the continuing competency reporting period?   CDPs must complete the continuing competency program requirements every two years. CDPs will develop and implement the plan on their 2002 renewal date or upon initial certification. The effective date for reporting the continuing competency program requirements shall begin with the 2004 renewal cycle.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 246-811-240   How many continuing education hours are needed?   CDPs must complete twenty-eight hours of continuing education every two years. At least fourteen hours must be completed in one or more of the topic areas as described in WAC 246-811-030 (2)(a) through (w). At least four hours must be in professional ethics and law. The additional ten hours shall be in areas relating to the various phases of their professional career.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 246-811-250   What are acceptable programs or courses for continuing education?   (1) Programs having a featured instructor, speaker(s) or panel that is industry recognized;

     (2) Distance learning programs;

     (3) Agency sponsored trainings;

     (4) Course work at institutions of higher learning that are accredited by a national or regional accrediting body recognized by the commission on recognition of postsecondary accreditation; or

     (5) In-service training programs limited to seven hours per reporting period.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 246-811-260   How do I fulfill the twelve hours of other professional development activities?   (1) CDPs may obtain hours through the following:

     (a) Practicum;

     (b) Peer-review including serving on a formal peer review panel or committee, or individual review of a sole provider, where the purpose of the review is to determine whether appropriate treatment was rendered;

     (c) Public presentation including preparing and presenting lectures or education that contribute to the professional competence of a CDP. The CDP may accumulate the same number of hours obtained for continuing education purposes by attendees as required in WAC 246-12-220. The hours for presenting a specific topic lecture or education may only be used for continuing education credit once during each reporting period;

     (d) Publication of writings;

     (e) Other activities as determined by the CDP's supervisor;

     (f) Continuing education; these continuing education hours are in addition to the twenty-eight hours of continuing education as listed in WAC 246-811-240.

     (2) All documentation must include the dates the continuing competency activity occurred, and if appropriate, the title of the course, the location of the course, and the name of the instructor.

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NEW SECTION
WAC 246-811-270   What is acceptable audit documentation for continuing education, professional development activities, and the enhancement plan?   (1) Acceptable documentation must be specific to the program completed and include:

     (a) Transcripts, letters from course instructors, or certificate of completion;

     (b) Written report by the CDP explaining how they achieved the competencies in WAC 246-811-047; or

     (c) Signed agreement between parties involved.

     (2) CDPs must comply with the requirements of chapter 246-12 WAC, part 7.

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