Failure to Complete Required Background Checks Prior to Employment
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to complete required background checks, including the Iowa Criminal History, Iowa Sex Offender Registry, and Iowa Central Abuse Registry, prior to the employment of an LPN. The personnel file for this staff member showed a hire date and a Single Contact License and Background Check (SING) form indicating that further research was needed due to a record found, but there was no documentation confirming approval to work. The administrator was unable to provide evidence, either printed or electronic, of the approval to work statement, despite acknowledging that such approval was required when further research was indicated. Facility policies stated that background checks must be completed and cleared before an employee starts work, and documentation of these checks must be maintained prior to hire. However, the required documentation was missing from the personnel file, and the administrator confirmed ongoing issues with the process for submitting and tracking background check documentation.