Failure to Ensure Timely Certification of Nurse Aides
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that two student nurse aides (SNA A and SNA B) who had worked more than four months were certified as required. Review of employee files showed that both SNA A and SNA B had been employed full-time beyond the 120-day limit without obtaining CNA certification numbers. SNA A reported working continuously since his hire date and performing nurse aide duties, including assisting with transfers and patient care tasks, despite not being certified. He attempted to take the certification test but was turned away due to not having the proper identification and had not yet registered to retake the test. SNA B was also found to be working full-time without certification, but was not available for interview. The Director of Nursing (DON) acknowledged during an interview that she was unaware of the time limit for certification and had recently assumed responsibility for monitoring CNA testing and certification. The prior ADON was previously responsible for this oversight. Documentation from the facility and state guidelines confirmed the requirement for nurse aides to complete training and certification within 120 days of employment. The job description signed by SNA A also indicated understanding of the 120-day certification requirement.