Unqualified Staff Assigned as Activities Director
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that its activities program was directed by a qualified professional, as required by regulation. Review of the personnel file for the current Activities Director showed that she was originally hired as a receptionist and later transferred to the Activities Director position. The job description for the Activities Director role specifies that the individual must meet certain qualifications, such as being a qualified therapeutic recreation specialist, a licensed activities professional, having relevant experience, or having completed a state-approved training course. However, there was no evidence in her employee file to demonstrate that she met any of these qualifications. Interviews with the Human Resources Director, the Administrator, and the Activities Director herself confirmed that she did not possess the required qualifications and was not enrolled in a state-approved training course at the time of her appointment. The Activities Director also stated she was unsure how to enroll in the necessary course and had not received information about enrollment until after the deficiency was identified. This lack of a qualified professional in the Activities Director role had the potential to affect all 40 residents in the facility.