Failure to Ensure Timely CNA Training and Certification for Nurse Aides
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that nurse aides (NAs) completed state-approved certified nursing assistant (CNA) training, competency evaluation, and certification testing within four months of hire, as required. Five NAs continued to provide direct care to residents beyond the 120-day limit without having completed the necessary training and certification. Interviews and record reviews revealed that some NAs had not started their CNA classes, while others were delayed in being enrolled or scheduled for testing. The facility did not provide a policy regarding NA training classes, and there was confusion among staff and administration regarding the requirements and tracking of NA certification status. The Assistant Director of Nursing (ADON) and Director of Nursing (DON) both indicated a lack of awareness about which NAs were working beyond the allowed timeframe without certification. The ADON described issues with the online training provider, including difficulties enrolling staff and scheduling tests, which contributed to the delays. The Administrator and DON both stated that NAs should be moved to non-care areas if not certified within 120 days, but evidence showed that uncertified NAs continued to provide direct care. The facility census at the time was 87 residents.
Penalty
Resources
Below are regulatory guidelines relevant to this citation:
A nursing assistant who had completed CNA coursework but had not passed the state certification test was allowed to work as a CNA for longer than the four months permitted for uncertified aides. Human Resources confirmed the staff member continued working past the allowed period, resulting in non-compliance with staff qualification requirements and potentially affecting all residents.
The facility failed to ensure nursing assistants received required training before providing direct care, affecting all 46 residents. A nurse aide in training performed duties without formal training, and several nursing assistants were hired without being on the nurse aide registry or enrolled in training programs. The facility believed they had four months to enroll aides in classes, but some worked longer without enrollment.
Unqualified Nursing Assistant Worked Beyond Permitted Timeframe
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that a nursing assistant was properly qualified to provide resident care, as required by regulations. Record review showed that a nursing assistant was hired after completing a CNA course but had not passed the state certification test. Despite this, the staff member worked as a CNA for a period exceeding the four months allowed for individuals who have not yet obtained certification. Human Resources confirmed that the nursing assistant continued to work past the permitted timeframe without having passed the state test, resulting in non-compliance with staffing qualification requirements. This issue had the potential to affect all 142 residents in the facility, as the staff member was involved in direct resident care.
Failure to Ensure Proper Training for Nursing Assistants
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that nursing assistants received the required training before providing direct care to residents, potentially affecting all 46 residents. Employee #145, a nurse aide in training, had not started formal training classes but was performing duties equivalent to a state-tested nursing assistant, including helping with meals, providing showers, and incontinence care. Despite having previous experience in a group home, Employee #145 had not received dementia training or training on handling aggressive behaviors. The Human Resource employee confirmed that Employee #145 was not enrolled in classes and was functioning as a state-tested nursing assistant based on the Administrator's instructions. Additionally, the facility hired several nursing assistants who were not on the nurse aide registry at the time of hire and were not enrolled in nurse aide registry classes or nursing school. These employees, including STNA #155, STNA #120, and STNA #110, had their skills checked off on orientation checklists despite not being registered or enrolled in training programs. The Human Resource employee verified that the facility believed they had four months to enroll aides in classes, and some employees had worked longer than four months without being enrolled in the NATCEP program, as the Administrator decided the timing of enrollment.
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