§ 365-b. Local medical plans: professional directors. 1. A local social services medical plan shall be developed and maintained by each social services district under the guidance or direction of a professional director. Such plan shall conform to the regulations of the department and shall be submitted to the department and the state department of health for review, certification and approval pursuant to the regulations of the department and this title.

2. The commissioner of social services of each social services district shall appoint a person, possessing the qualifications established by the public health and health planning council and promulgated by the department pursuant to section three hundred sixty-four of this title, to serve on a full or part-time basis. Each professional director shall serve under the general direction of the commissioner of social services and shall have the responsibility for supervising the program of medical assistance for needy persons in his social services district, pursuant to the regulations of the department. The state commissioner of health may authorize two or more social services districts to appoint the same person to serve as professional director in each of such districts.

3. In addition to any other duty or responsibility which may be assigned or delegated pursuant to law or regulation, each professional director shall be responsible for monitoring the professional activities, directly related to the program, of providers practicing in his social services district, and shall take all steps required or authorized by law or regulation to ensure that such activities are in compliance with the provisions of this chapter, the public health law and regulations promulgated thereunder, and do not violate the provisions of section sixty-five hundred nine of the education law or regulations promulgated pursuant thereto.

4. For purposes of this section "provider" shall mean any person receiving payment under this title.