This regulation establishes training requirements for DMH Officer-Agent Certification in the District of Columbia. Trainers must be a licensed psychiatrist and a licensed attorney approved by the DMH OACC, and training must cover topics including clinical definitions of mental illness, risk assessment, cultural competency, and the emergency hospitalization application process (FD-12) under D.C. Code § 21-521. Training must be offered at least twice per year. This rule governs the certification of officers/agents authorized to initiate emergency psychiatric holds, not the licensing or operation of any specific facility type.
View official source7603 DMH OFFICER-AGENT CERTIFICATION TRAINING REQUIREMENTS 7603.1 DMH Officer-Agent Certification Training shall be conducted by a psychiatrist and an attorney both of whom must be licensed to practice in the District of Columbia and be approved by the DMH OACC. 7603.2 The DMH Officer-Agent Certification training shall include: (a) Reviewing the clinical definition of "mental illness;" (b) Determining when a mental illness is likely to cause a person to injure self or others; (c) Assessing risk of harm and level of functioning; (d) Defining cultural competency; (e) Reviewing the process of applying for admission for emergency observation pursuant to D.C. Official Code Section 21-521, Emergency Hospitalization through preparation of a valid FD-12 application; and (f) Testifying in court regarding an FD-12 application. 7603.3 DMH Officer-Agent Certification Training shall be offered at least twice a year. SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 55 DCR 007561 (July 11, 2008).