Failure to Complete Required FBI Background Check Prior to RN Hire
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to implement its criminal background check policy for a registered nurse who was hired without proper verification of residency or completion of a required FBI background check. The personnel file for the nurse did not contain evidence that the facility determined whether she had resided in the state for the past five years, as required. Only a state Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) check was completed, along with checks through the Office of Inspector General (OIG) and the System for Award Management (SAM), all with no findings. However, the necessary FBI background check was not performed prior to employment, despite the nurse not having lived in the state during the required period. The administrator confirmed that, at the time of hire, the facility's process only involved verbally asking the employee about their residency status, with no written documentation. The administrator also acknowledged that the human resources employee responsible for background checks at the time no longer holds that position. The facility's policy required all employees to undergo a criminal background check before an employment offer was finalized and to follow state regulations regarding such checks, but this was not followed in this instance.