Failure to Employ Qualified Dietary Manager in Absence of Full-Time Dietitian
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to employ a full-time qualified dietary services manager in the absence of a full-time qualified dietitian. Review of job descriptions indicated that the Registered Dietician (RD) was responsible for planning, organizing, coordinating, and evaluating the nutritional components of dietary services, as well as overseeing the duties of the Dietary Manager and other staff. The Food Service Director's role was to direct the overall operation of the Food Services department. Staff interviews confirmed that there was no Dietary Manager present in the facility for two weeks, and a new Dietary Manager had just started orientation. The new Dietary Manager did not possess a Certified Dietary Manager (CDM) credential and was not enrolled in a CDM program, though she did have a ServSafe certification. The Nursing Home Administrator confirmed that there was not a full-time dietitian employed and that the facility did not have a qualified dietary manager during the absence of a full-time dietitian.