Failure to Employ Qualified Dietary Manager
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to employ staff with the appropriate competencies and skill sets to carry out the functions of the food and nutrition service, specifically by hiring a Dietary Manager (DM) who did not possess the required certification, education, or qualifications for the position. The DM was hired with an associate degree in culinary arts and experience as a traveling chef in various healthcare settings but had not obtained Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) certification and had not enrolled in the required certification program. The Administrator acknowledged hiring the DM without confirming the necessary qualifications, and the Human Resources (HR) staff did not verify the DM's certification prior to hire, relying on the Administrator's decision. The HR staff also failed to follow up on obtaining the certification after the DM was hired, despite being told it would be provided. Interviews with facility staff confirmed that the DM had been in the role for approximately 2-3 weeks without the required certification, and the facility's dietician visited only twice a month to perform nutritional assessments. Review of the DM's job description and relevant federal food code regulations highlighted the requirement for a certified food protection manager, which was not met. The deficiency was identified for the only dietary staff reviewed, and the lack of appropriate qualifications could place residents at risk related to food safety and nutrition, as directly stated in the report.