Unlicensed Social Worker Employed Full-Time
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that the full-time social worker hired for a facility with more than 120 beds met the required qualifications as outlined by state regulations. The social worker, hired in December 2024, held a bachelor's degree in social work but was not licensed by the Texas State Board of Social Worker Examiners at the time of employment. Review of the employee file confirmed the absence of a license, and the facility's job description required licensure per state requirements. The administrator acknowledged that the social worker was not licensed and was preparing to take the licensure exam, while a licensed social worker was only employed on a PRN basis and was not assigned to oversee the unlicensed social worker. During interviews, the social worker stated she had passed the ASWB examination and completed the fingerprint background check but had not yet taken the required Texas jurisprudence exam. Her duties included participating in care plan meetings, promoting resident rights, and providing support to residents and families. The lack of licensure was only addressed after surveyor intervention, as evidenced by the completion of the jurisprudence exam on the day of the survey.