Failure to Verify Valid State Nursing License for LPN
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to ensure that a licensed practical nurse (LPN) employed at the facility held a valid license to practice in accordance with state laws. The LPN was hired with an active single state license from West Virginia, as verified in the employee file, but did not possess a Virginia LPN license at any point during their employment. Documentation in the employee file included a note indicating an application for a multi-state license, but there was no evidence that such a license was ever obtained. The LPN's employment spanned from early March to the end of December, with no breaks in service. Interviews with facility staff revealed that the current human resources manager was not employed at the time of the LPN's hire and described a process for license verification that would have excluded applicants with only a single state license. The administrator became aware of the licensing issue only after the LPN was no longer employed. The facility's hiring policy required verification of certifications and licenses, but no further information regarding compliance with this policy at the time of the LPN's hire was provided to the survey team.