135H.1 Definitions.

As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:

1. “Department” means the department of inspections and appeals.

2. “Direction” means authoritative policy or procedural guidance for the accomplishment of a function or an activity.

3. “Licensee” means the holder of a license issued to operate a psychiatric medical institution for children.

4. “Medical care plan” means a plan of care and services designed to eliminate the need for inpatient care by improving the condition of a child. Services must be based upon a diagnostic evaluation, which includes an examination of the medical, psychological, social, behavioral, and developmental aspects of the child’s situation, reflecting the need for inpatient care.

5. “Mental health professional” means an individual who has all of the following qualifications:

a. The individual holds at least a master’s degree in a mental health field, including but not limited to, psychology, counseling and guidance, nursing, and social work, or the individual is a physician.

b. The individual holds a current Iowa license if practicing in a field covered by an Iowa licensure law.

c. The individual has at least two years of post-degree clinical experience, supervised by another mental health professional, in assessing mental health needs and problems and in providing appropriate mental health services.

6. “Nursing care” means services which are provided under the direction of a physician or registered nurse.

7. “Physician” means a person licensed under chapter 148.

8. “Psychiatric medical institution for children” or “psychiatric institution” means an institution providing more than twenty-four hours of continuous care involving long-term psychiatric services to three or more children in residence for expected periods of fourteen or more days for diagnosis and evaluation or for expected periods of ninety days or more for treatment.

9. “Psychiatric services” means services provided under the direction of a physician which address mental, emotional, medical, or behavioral problems.

10. “Rehabilitative services” means services to encourage and assist restoration of a resident’s optimum mental and physical capabilities.

11. “Resident” means a person who is less than twenty-one years of age and has been admitted by a physician to a psychiatric medical institution for children.

12. “Supervision” means direct oversight and inspection of the act of accomplishing a function or activity.

89 Acts, ch 283, §2; 94 Acts, ch 1120, §14, 15; 2008 Acts, ch 1088, §90

Referred to in §249A.30A