Failure to Employ Qualified Director of Food and Nutrition Services
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to employ a director of food and nutrition services who met the minimum required qualifications, affecting 108 of 111 residents. The Assistant Dietary Supervisor, who was overseeing the kitchen, did not possess certification as a dietary manager or food manager, national certification for food service management and safety, an associate's or higher degree in food service management or hospitality, nor did he have two or more years of experience as a Director of Food and Nutrition Services in a nursing facility. He stated that he had been working in the facility's kitchen for a little over six months and relied on a dietician for consultation as needed. An interim Dietary Manager from a sister facility, who was certified, was only present once weekly to assist and did not have regular scheduled meetings with the Assistant Dietary Supervisor. The interim manager had recently resigned and was scheduled to leave the company. The facility administrator acknowledged the lack of a certified Dietary Manager and described ongoing efforts to hire a qualified individual, but at the time of the survey, the position remained unfilled, and oversight was limited to intermittent visits from the interim manager and consultation with a Registered Dietician.