Failure to Ensure Required Annual In-Service Education for Nurse Aides
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that nurse aides received the required 12 hours of in-service education annually. During the survey, it was found that the facility could not provide a policy regarding the required in-service training for Nursing Assistants when requested. Review of the facility assessment indicated a comprehensive list of staff competencies and annual training requirements, including abuse prevention, dementia care, infection control, and other critical areas. However, there was no evidence that these requirements were being tracked or met for the nurse aides. In an interview, the DON stated that both she and the nurse educator provide in-services and education for CNAs, and that the nurse educator offers education during CNA classes. Despite this, the DON admitted there was no documentation of in-services, nor was there a system in place to track whether CNAs completed the required 12 hours of annual education. The DON was aware of the 12-hour requirement but was not familiar with the specific educational content needed within those hours and had not reviewed the facility assessment to identify the necessary in-service education topics.