CNA Worked with Expired Certification
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that one of five sampled staff, a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA), maintained the necessary qualifications for employment as required by state law. Review of the CNA's timecards showed that the CNA worked multiple shifts at the facility after her CNA certification had expired. During an interview and record review with the Director of Staff Development (DSD), it was confirmed that the CNA's certificate had expired and that the DSD was unaware of the expiration until after the CNA had already worked post-expiration. The DSD acknowledged that the CNA was not in compliance with facility policy, which requires an active CNA certification for employment. Further interview with the Director of Nursing (DON) revealed that both the DON and DSD typically review CNA certification expiration dates monthly, but they missed the expiration in this instance. The DON confirmed that the CNA worked at the facility while her certification was expired and reiterated that maintaining an active certification is required by both facility policy and state law. Review of the facility's job description for CNAs also indicated that an active CNA license is a qualification for employment.