Unqualified Staff Assigned to Social Services Manager Role
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that the staff member assigned as Social Services Manager was qualified and competent according to state laws and facility policy. The individual, originally hired as an assistant business office manager, was later promoted to Social Services Manager without a background or education in social work or a related field. Interviews revealed that the only training provided for the new role was a single day spent at another facility learning care plan conferences, with no further training, education, or supervised on-the-job experience in social services provided by the facility. A review of the personnel file and training transcripts confirmed the lack of relevant education or experience in human services for the staff member in question. The facility's own job description and policy require the Social Services Manager to advocate for residents and provide medically related social services to support residents' mental and psychosocial well-being. However, the staff member's records did not show any additional education or training related to social work services during her tenure in the position.