Section 1276.9 Of Article 3. Regulations From California Health And Safety Code >> Division 2. >> Chapter 2. >> Article 3.
1276.9
. (a) A special treatment program service unit distinct part
shall have a minimum 2.3 nursing hours per patient per day.
(b) For purposes of this section, "special treatment program
service unit distinct part" means an identifiable and physically
separate unit of a skilled nursing facility or an entire skilled
nursing facility that provides therapeutic programs to an identified
population group of persons with mental health disorders.
(c) For purposes of this section, "nursing hours" means the number
of hours of work performed per patient day by aides, nursing
assistants, or orderlies, plus two times the number of hours worked
per patient day by registered nurses and licensed vocational nurses
(except directors of nursing in facilities of 60 or larger capacity),
and, in the distinct part of facilities and freestanding facilities
providing care for persons with developmental disabilities or mental
health disorders, by licensed psychiatric technicians who perform
direct nursing services for patients in skilled nursing and
intermediate care facilities, except when the skilled nursing and
intermediate care facility is licensed as a part of a state hospital.
(d) A special treatment program service unit distinct part shall
also have an overall average weekly staffing level of 3.2 hours per
patient per day, calculated without regard to the doubling of nursing
hours, as described in paragraph (1) of subdivision (b) of Section
1276.5, for the special treatment program service unit distinct part.
(e) The calculation of the overall staffing levels in these
facilities for the special treatment program service unit distinct
part shall include staff from all of the following categories:
(1) Certified nurse assistants.
(2) Licensed vocational nurses.
(3) Registered nurses.
(4) Licensed psychiatric technicians.
(5) Psychiatrists.
(6) Psychologists.
(7) Social workers.
(8) Program staff who provide rehabilitation, counseling, or other
therapeutic services.