Failure to Document Employee Reference Checks in Abuse Prevention Program
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that its Abuse, Neglect, Exploitation, and Misappropriation Prevention Program policy and procedure included requirements for screening potential employees through reference checks with previous or current employers. During a review of six employee files, it was found that three employees did not have documented reference checks. Specifically, one certified nursing assistant (CNA) had a blank Pre-Employment Reference Checklist (PRC), and two others had no PRC or reference check documentation in their files. Additional review of previous employee files did not reveal any evidence of completed reference checks for these individuals. Interviews with the Director of Staff Development (DSD) and the Administrator (ADM) confirmed that reference checks were expected to be conducted, including inquiries about prior allegations of abuse and rehire eligibility. However, there was no documentation to support that these checks were performed for the three employees in question. The facility's policy, dated April 2021, did not specify the requirement to screen potential employees for a history of abuse, neglect, exploitation, or misappropriation by contacting previous or current employers.