Unqualified Staff Assigned to Direct Activities Program
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that the activities program was directed by a qualified professional, as required by the position description and regulatory standards. Review of the personnel file for the current Activities Director showed that she was originally hired as a Certified Nursing Assistant and later became an activity assistant before assuming the role of Activities Director. However, there was no evidence in her employee file to demonstrate that she met any of the required qualifications for the position, such as being a qualified therapeutic recreation specialist, a licensed activities professional, having the necessary experience, or having completed a state-approved training course. The Activities Director herself confirmed during interview that she did not possess the required qualifications and had been serving in the director role for several months. Further review revealed that the Activities Director only began a certified activities director course after assuming the position, and there was no indication that she had completed it. Interviews with the Divisional Director of Activities and the Regional Administrator confirmed that the Activities Director was not certified and did not meet the qualifications outlined in the job description. This deficiency was identified during a complaint investigation and had the potential to affect all residents in the facility.