Failure to Employ Qualified Full-Time Social Worker
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to employ a qualified full-time social worker as required for facilities with more than 120 beds. The Social Services Director (SSD), who met the qualifications, had not been present in the facility since February due to a family emergency. In the absence of the SSD, the Social Service Assistant (SSA), who does not possess the required educational background or supervised social work experience, assumed the roles and responsibilities of the SSD. Review of the SSA's employee file confirmed the lack of necessary qualifications. During this period, a resident with multiple diagnoses, including osteoarthritis, asthma, and spinal stenosis, and who required significant assistance with activities of daily living, reported not having met with the SSD since readmission. The resident had only interacted with the SSA regarding non-clinical concerns and had not participated in a care plan meeting. The facility's policy requires a qualified social worker to provide medically-related social services to support residents' well-being, but this standard was not met due to the absence of a qualified SSD.