Washington Administrative Code › Title 246 - Health, Department of › FACILITY STANDARDS AND LICENSING › Chapter 246-341 - Behavioral health agency licensing and certification requirements › CERTIFICATION AND SERVICE STANDARDS FOR BEHAVIORAL HEALTH OUTPATIENT CRISIS OUTREACH, OBSERVATION AND INTERVENTION SERVICES › Section 246-341-0901 - Behavioral health outpatient crisis outreach, observation and intervention services-Certification standards

Current through Register Vol. 24-14, July 15, 2024
(1) Agencies
				  certified for outpatient behavioral health crisis outreach, observation and
				  intervention services provide face-to-face and other means of services to
				  stabilize an individual in crisis to prevent further deterioration, provide
				  immediate treatment or intervention in the least restrictive environment at a
				  location best suited to meet the needs of the individual which may be in the
				  community, a behavioral health agency, or other setting.
(2) An agency certified for outpatient
				  behavioral health crisis outreach, observation and intervention services does
				  not need to meet the requirements in WAC
				  246-341-0640.
(3) An agency providing outpatient behavioral
				  health crisis outreach, observation and intervention services for substance use
				  disorder must ensure a professional appropriately credentialed to provide
				  substance use disorder treatment is available or on staff 24 hours a day, seven
				  days a week.
(4) An agency
				  providing any outpatient behavioral health crisis outreach, observation and
				  intervention services must:
(a) Provide crisis
				  telephone support in accordance with WAC
				  246-341-0670;
(b) For mental health crisis, ensure
				  face-to-face outreach services are provided by a mental health professional or
				  department-credentialed staff person with documented training in crisis
				  response;
(c) For a substance use
				  disorder crisis, ensure face-to-face outreach services are provided by a
				  professional appropriately credentialed to provide substance use disorder
				  treatment, or individual who has completed training that covers substance use
				  disorders;
(d) Develop and
				  implement policies and procedures for training staff to identify and assist
				  individuals in crisis before assigning the staff member unsupervised
				  duties;
(e) Resolve the crisis in
				  the least restrictive manner possible;
(f) Require that trained staff remain with
				  the individual in crisis in order to provide stabilization and support until
				  the crisis is resolved or referral to another service is
				  accomplished;
(g) Determine if an
				  individual has a crisis plan and request a copy if available;
(h) Assure communication and coordination
				  with the individual's mental health or substance use treatment provider, if
				  indicated and appropriate;
(i) As
				  appropriate, refer individuals to voluntary or involuntary treatment facilities
				  for admission on a seven day a week, 24 hour a day basis, including
				  arrangements for contacting the designated crisis responder;
(j) Maintain a current list of local
				  resources for referrals, legal, employment, education, interpreter and social
				  and health services;
(k) Transport
				  or arrange for transport of an individual in a safe and timely manner, when
				  necessary;
(l) Be available 24
				  hours a day, seven days a week; and
(m) Include family members, significant
				  others, and other relevant treatment providers, as necessary, to provide
				  support to the individual in crisis.