Failure to Verify CNA Licensure Prior to Employment
Penalty
Summary
A review of the facility's employee records revealed that an individual was hired as a certified nursing assistant (CNA) without documentation of a valid CNA license number on the Employee Spreadsheet Roster. The facility's job description for CNAs requires current state certification, and the policy and procedure for background screening specifies that the state nurse aide registry should be checked for findings related to abuse, neglect, or mistreatment, and that licensing boards should be contacted for any sanctions. During an interview, the Director of Staff Development confirmed responsibility for monitoring CNA licensure and stated that applicants would not be hired without an active license. However, the lack of documentation for the CNA's license indicated a failure to ensure that the employee held a valid and up-to-date certification while working in the facility.