Failure to Complete Background Checks for Direct Care Staff
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to complete required background checks and screenings for two employees with direct access to residents, as mandated by its own policies and procedures. Specifically, the personnel files for a registered nurse and a licensed vocational nurse showed no evidence of background checks or screenings being conducted at the time of hire or thereafter. This was confirmed during interviews with the Director of Staff and Development, who acknowledged that no background checks were performed for these employees, and with the Director of Nursing, who stated that such checks are necessary prior to employment to ensure staff do not have histories that could negatively impact residents. A review of the facility's policy on background screening investigations indicated that background, reference, and criminal conviction checks—including fingerprinting as required by state law—must be initiated within two days of an employment offer and completed before the employee begins work. The failure to follow these procedures placed all 41 residents at risk, particularly given the presence of controlled drug medications in the facility.