Facility Fails to Ensure Proper Training and Certification of Nurse Aides
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that Temporary Nurse Aides (TNAs) were enrolled in a Certified Nurse Aide (CNA) training program and completed their certification as mandated by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the New Jersey Department of Health (NJDOH). Specifically, the facility did not have documented evidence that TNAs were enrolled in school prior to the deadline and completed their CNA certification by the required date. Additionally, there was no verification that non-certified nurse aides were enrolled and actively taking classes in a state-approved CNA Training Program, nor was there evidence of completion of Module 1 before assigning them independent resident duties. The surveyor's investigation revealed that two non-certified nurse aides, who were previously working as TNAs, were assigned to care for residents without the necessary documentation of their training or competency. The facility's staffing and assignment sheets indicated that these aides were listed as nurse aides, yet there was no evidence that they were working under the supervision of a certified nurse aide. Furthermore, the facility lacked a clear policy or program for the hiring, staffing, and assignments of non-certified nurse aides, contributing to the deficiency. Interviews with facility staff, including the Director of Nursing (DON) and the Director of Human Resources, highlighted a lack of proper documentation and oversight regarding the qualifications and assignments of TNAs and non-certified nurse aides. The facility's transition from a previous company resulted in missing employee files and job descriptions, further complicating the verification of staff qualifications. Despite the DON's efforts to address the issue upon their arrival, the facility continued to utilize TNAs and non-certified nurse aides without ensuring they met the necessary training and certification requirements.
Penalty
Resources
Below are regulatory guidelines relevant to this citation:
A nursing assistant who had completed CNA coursework but had not passed the state certification test was allowed to work as a CNA for longer than the four months permitted for uncertified aides. Human Resources confirmed the staff member continued working past the allowed period, resulting in non-compliance with staff qualification requirements and potentially affecting all residents.
The facility failed to ensure nursing assistants received required training before providing direct care, affecting all 46 residents. A nurse aide in training performed duties without formal training, and several nursing assistants were hired without being on the nurse aide registry or enrolled in training programs. The facility believed they had four months to enroll aides in classes, but some worked longer without enrollment.
Unqualified Nursing Assistant Worked Beyond Permitted Timeframe
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that a nursing assistant was properly qualified to provide resident care, as required by regulations. Record review showed that a nursing assistant was hired after completing a CNA course but had not passed the state certification test. Despite this, the staff member worked as a CNA for a period exceeding the four months allowed for individuals who have not yet obtained certification. Human Resources confirmed that the nursing assistant continued to work past the permitted timeframe without having passed the state test, resulting in non-compliance with staffing qualification requirements. This issue had the potential to affect all 142 residents in the facility, as the staff member was involved in direct resident care.
Failure to Ensure Proper Training for Nursing Assistants
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that nursing assistants received the required training before providing direct care to residents, potentially affecting all 46 residents. Employee #145, a nurse aide in training, had not started formal training classes but was performing duties equivalent to a state-tested nursing assistant, including helping with meals, providing showers, and incontinence care. Despite having previous experience in a group home, Employee #145 had not received dementia training or training on handling aggressive behaviors. The Human Resource employee confirmed that Employee #145 was not enrolled in classes and was functioning as a state-tested nursing assistant based on the Administrator's instructions. Additionally, the facility hired several nursing assistants who were not on the nurse aide registry at the time of hire and were not enrolled in nurse aide registry classes or nursing school. These employees, including STNA #155, STNA #120, and STNA #110, had their skills checked off on orientation checklists despite not being registered or enrolled in training programs. The Human Resource employee verified that the facility believed they had four months to enroll aides in classes, and some employees had worked longer than four months without being enrolled in the NATCEP program, as the Administrator decided the timing of enrollment.
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