Qualifications

Facilitators and co-facilitators shall meet the following minimum qualifications:

• Hold a master's degree in nursing, social work, psychology, counseling, marital and family therapy, medical doctor, or other field deemed appropriate by the TnPAP executive director, or
• Have an unrestricted Tennessee license as an alcohol and drug abuse counselor (LADAC), or
• Hold a national certification in alcohol or drug abuse counseling (NCAC, CSAC, MAC, or equivalent).
• Shall have prior experience in group skills and dynamics.
• Shall have a thorough knowledge and understanding of the disease of addiction, chemical dependence, sobriety, recovery, acceptable community treatment standards, 12-step meetings, relapse, and rehabilitation of social and professional life skills.
• If recovering, shall have been clean and sober for a minimum of two consecutive years. Previous TnPAP participants must have successfully completed the program at least two years prior to the date the application is submitted.
• Attend and participate in educational offerings sponsored by TnPAP.
• A facilitator or co-facilitator may not be a current TnPAP participant.
• A facilitator or co-facilitator may not have a board accusation pending or hold a board restricted license in Tennessee or any other state.
• Knowledge of TnPAP and the monitoring requirements.

A group facilitator is not a TnPAP employee and should not representative him/herself as being so.

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Responsibilities of Group Facilitator

The group facilitator is responsible for:

• Identifying the date, time, and location of the meeting.
• Setting the group rules for attendance, confidentiality, mutual respect for group members, the cancellation policy and fee schedule. A copy of this information and any updates must be on file in the TnPAP office.
• Ensuring that each group member has signed a “Confidentiality Statement for Participants of the Tennessee Professional Assistance Program”. The form is retained by the facilitator in the individual’s file.
• Beginning where the group members are, rather than imposing your own preconceived agenda.
• Initiating and stimulating discussion, and allow common themes to emerge.
• Creating a safe atmosphere for participation.
• Monitoring the emotional pulse of the group. When painful topics are being avoided, introduce them.
• Reinforcing the predictability of feelings, placing problems in a universal context when possible.
• Instilling hope for change and improved quality of life for the group members.
• Helping members join in the group discussion and involve the more passive members as much as possible — encouraging and stipulating participation by everyone.
• Leaving sufficient time to summarize the process at the end of each group meeting.
• Utilizing the entire established group time for member participation and not paperwork.
• Regular telephone or email communication with each group member's TnPAP case manager.
• Timely submission of quarterly reports for each group member to TnPAP.
• Participate in TnPAP sponsored educational programs.

Responsibilities of Co-Facilitator

• Assist the primary facilitator with group facilitation.
• Act as a facilitator in the absence of the primary facilitator. The co-facilitator may not conduct meetings without supervision of a facilitator, unless there is an emergency situation or for a brief period, e.g., while the facilitator is on vacation.

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Impaired Group Members Who Attend Meetings

If a facilitator observes an individual to be impaired during a meeting, regardless of the nature of the impairment (prescribed medication, a physical or mental health problem, or substance abuse), the following guidelines are to be observed:

• Ask the individual to step out of the meeting.
• Do a quick assessment to determine the cause.
• Ask how the individual arrived at the meeting.
• If there is reason to believe that the member is not fully oriented in all three spheres, the facilitator will make a determination to exclude the member from the group and decide the best disposition of the problem. Choices would include having another group member take the person home, call a family member or take the person to the nearest ER.
• The occurrence should be discussed within the group, either at the time or at the next meeting. Under no circumstance should it go unnoticed. The event must also be reported to the case manager the following business day.
  

How to Obtain Approval to Start a TnPAP Support Group

• Complete a Support Group Request
• Complete a Facilitator Confidentiality Statement
• Review and sign the Role Delineation for Support Group Facilitator Statement
• Attach a current resume
• Letter expressing your desire to become a support group facilitator and willingness to adhere to TnPAP policies for confidentiality, conducting support groups and monitoring.
• Electronically send the above documents to info@tnpap.org or mail information to:

Administrative Director
Tennessee Professional Assistance Program
545 Mainstream Drive, Suite 414
Nashville, TN 37228

• The application and supporting documentation will be reviewed by the TnPAP monitoring team and the executive director.
• After a decision is made, a notification letter will be mailed via the US Postal Service or email (if an address has been provided). If approved, the letter will provide instructions on accessing the TnPAP online reporting system and messaging system.
• Once an individual has been approved as a TnPAP support group facilitator, (s)he may organize more than one group. To do so,
  • Provide TnPAP with a letter expressing your desire to facilitate another group (this may be provided electronically). The letter must include:
  • Group Name (must be different than the original group’s name)
  • Address (where will the meeting be held)
  • Meeting day and time
  • Participation fee (weekly/month) amount
  • Group guidelines
  • Any agreement, rules, etc. that will be distributed to participants
    

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Limitations of the Facilitator

• While a facilitator may be a licensed counselor/therapist in his/her role as a TnPAP facilitator the function is one of support not therapy.
• In the course of facilitating a group, if the facilitator feels that an issue needs to be addressed regarding additional therapy or relapse, (s)he is to contact the individual’s case manager immediately. Facilitators are not to refer participants for therapy and/or treatment. This is the role of the TnPAP case manager.
• Each support group is limited to 12 members. A facilitator may have multiple groups. However, no more than 12 individuals may be present at any meeting.
• TnPAP must be notified of all administrative changes (meeting day, time, location, vacation schedule, group cancellation).
• Support group may not be conducted in a home or restaurant environment.
• A facilitator may not facilitate a group that (s)he was a participant.
• Support group facilitators and co-facilitators shall not recruit participants from their TnPAP support group into their private practice for the purpose of providing therapy.
• Support group facilitators affiliated with any treatment facility shall not recruit participants from the facility into their TnPAP support group.

Role Delineation

TnPAP recognizes that a vital link in the recovery process is a strong on-going support system. One of the methods that can be employed to meet this need for recovering healthcare professionals is facilitated support groups.

The purpose of facilitated support groups in the TnPAP monitoring process is to:

• Share experiences; provide strength, hope and support in addressing issues related to the process of recovery from chemical or mental health impairment.
• Provide support regarding professional issues, including re-entry into the workplace.

Support Group Facilitators and Co-Facilitators must:

• Believe in the chemical impairment concept, the total abstinence model of recovery and the 12-step program model.
• Maintain participant confidentiality except when the participant is a threat to self or others or has a written consent for release of information.
• Contact TnPAP immediately if a crisis situation occurs, an intervention is required or a relapse is suspected.
• Prepare a report quarterly for each participant attending his/her group(s) and submit to TnPAP.

The role of the support group facilitator is to:

• Facilitate the group meeting.
• Keep the group focused on the day-to-day professional issues and the recovery process which supports a healthcare professional's return to his/her profession in a manner which protects the health and safety of the public.
• Apply the principles of interpersonal interaction group process while giving priority to recovery.
• Be supportive of the Tennessee Professional Assistance Program.

The role of the support group co-facilitator is to:

• Assist the primary facilitator with group facilitation.
• Act as a facilitator in the absence of the primary facilitator. The co-facilitator may not conduct meetings without supervision of a facilitator, unless there is an emergency situation or for a brief period, e.g., while the facilitator is on vacation.

Limitations of the facilitator:

• While a facilitator may be a licensed counselor/therapist, in his/her role as a TnPAP facilitator the function is one of support not therapy.
• In the course of facilitating a group if the facilitator feels that an issue needs to be addressed regarding additional therapy or relapse (s)he is to contact the individual's case manager immediately. Facilitators are not to refer participants for therapy and/or treatment. This is the role of the TnPAP case manager.
• Each support group is limited to 12 members. A facilitator may have multiple groups. However, no more than 12 individuals may be present at any meeting.
• TnPAP must be timely notified of all administrative changes (meeting day, time, location, vacation schedule, group cancellation.
• Support group may not be conducted in a home or restaurant environment.
• Support Group Facilitators and Co-Facilitators shall not recruit participants from their support group who are enrolled in TnPAP into their private practice for the purpose of providing therapy.
• Support Group Facilitators and Co-Facilitators affiliated with any treatment facility shall not recruit participants from the facility into their TnPAP support group.
  

Criteria for TnPAP Ending Facilitator Relationship

• Relapse into any addiction.
• Inability to perform the responsibilities and duties of a group facilitator.
• Consistent absences from group.
• Failure to communicate with TnPAP regarding group members’ physical, mental or behavior problems that may be known to the facilitator.
• Habitually failing to timely support reports.
• Professional boundary concerns.
• Any other reason deemed appropriate by the TnPAP Executive Director.
  

Support Group Members

• Support Group Member Confidentiality Statement

Support group meetings are self-help smoke free groups facilitated by a healthcare professional who understands addiction and the recovery process and, if required, is an integral part of TnPAP monitoring.

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Enrollment

To begin the support group enrollment process:

• To review a list of groups, CLICK HERE.
• Telephone the facilitator to ensure space is available.
• Ask facilitator if there is a fee.
• No more than 12 individuals may be present at a particular meeting.

Once you have selected a group and been accepted by the facilitator:

• Complete an Authorization to Exchange To and From Facilitator Form and submit it to TnPAP before attending the first meeting – and
• Contact your TnPAP case manager by using Affinity Online Solutions messaging system to provide him/her with the facilitator's name and date you will attend your first session and
• Provide a copy of your Monitoring Agreement to the facilitator at the first meeting.

TnPAP Guidelines for Support Group Members

• Accept the fact that the primary goal of the group is on members' recovery.
• Arrive at meetings on time and attend until the close of meeting, except under extenuating circumstances negotiated in advance with facilitator.
• Accept responsibility for contacting group facilitator and TnPAP case manager about any major change(s) in life situations, especially those related to the recovery process and for those that could affect regular attendance at meetings.
• Weekly attendance is required. Plan your work day accordingly.
• All cell phones must be turned off during meetings. No exceptions.
• No children or family members are to accompany members to meetings.
• Active participation focusing on problem solving skills and mutual support in group discussions.
• Ask for help from other group member(s), facilitator and your TnPAP case manager when needed.
• Offer constructive feedback to other group members during meetings.
• Acknowledge the values of being a positive role model offering hope to new group members.
• Respect the confidentiality of all group members.
• Be aware that continued negative contributions to group discussion despite remediation may result in expulsion from the group.

Support Group Meeting Disclaimer

Support Group Meeting

• All groups meet weekly and you are required to attend.
• If you miss a meeting you will need to make it up by attending an additional AA or NA meeting during the same week.
• If you cannot attend a meeting you must notify both the facilitator and your TnPAP case manager prior to the meeting. Usually an email to the case manager is considered sufficient notification.
• TnPAP support group meetings do not replace treatment, aftercare or continuing care specified by a treatment facility.
  

 

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