Failure to Maintain Qualified Dietary Manager for Food and Nutrition Services
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that a qualified Dietary Manager (DM) was designated to act as the director of food and nutrition services when the DM position became vacant. According to the job description, the DM is responsible for assisting the Dietitian in planning, organizing, developing, and directing the overall operation of the Food Services Department in accordance with regulatory standards. The former DM ended employment on 04/02/25, and there was no replacement or acting DM for approximately one month. Multiple staff interviews confirmed that there was no full-time DM overseeing the kitchen during this period. Dietary aides and cooks reported the absence of a DM, and the Administrator acknowledged awareness of the vacancy, stating that a contracted company only recently took over management of the kitchen. This lapse had the potential to affect all 89 residents in the facility, as there was no qualified individual overseeing food and nutrition services during the vacancy.