§ 5200.22. Staffing pattern.

 (a)  There shall be qualified staff and supporting personnel in sufficient numbers to provide the services included in the facility’s program. At least 50% of the treatment staff shall be mental health professionals. Other treatment staff may be mental health workers as required by the patient load.

 (b)  Staff shall include at least four full-time equivalent (FTE) mental health professionals.

 (c)  A psychiatric clinic is required to have at least 16 hours of psychiatric time per week to ensure minimally adequate care and supervision for all patients. Psychiatric hours shall be expanded when treatment staff exceeds eight FTE. The ratio is two hours/week for each FTE treatment staff member.

 (d)  At a minimum all clinical staff shall be supervised by the psychiatrist having the responsibility for diagnosis and treatment of the patient as defined in §  5200.31 (relating to treatment planning).

 (e)  There shall be sufficient clerical staff to keep correspondence, records, and files current and in good order.

 (f)  The clinic shall recruit and hire staff that is appropriate for the population to be served.

 (g)  If the psychiatric clinic serves children, specialized personnel are required, as appropriate, to deliver services to children.

 (h)  Each clinic shall have a written comprehensive personnel policy.

 (i)  There shall be a planned regular, ongoing program for staff development and training.

 (j)  Graduate and undergraduate students in accredited training programs in various mental health disciplines may participate in the treatment of patients when under the direct supervision of a mental health professional, but are not to be included for the purpose of defining staffing pattern.

 (k)  Psychiatric residents licensed to practice medicine in this Commonwealth who are under the direct supervision of a psychiatrist are defined as mental health professionals for the purpose of defining staffing patterns.

 (l)  Volunteers may be used in various support and activity functions of the clinic, but are not considered for the purposes of defining staffing patterns.