Lack of Qualified Dietary Manager Following Staff Departure
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that a qualified individual was designated to serve as the Dietary Manager after the previous manager left employment in October. According to the facility's own Dietitian policy, if a dietitian is not employed full time, a Director of Food Service Management must be designated and must meet specific certification or educational requirements. However, after the departure of the former Dietary Manager, the Administrator assumed the role without holding any food service certification, as confirmed during staff interviews. The Registered Dietitian at the facility did not work full time but was responsible for menu approval and spreadsheets. The Administrator provided the facility's Dietitian policy, which clearly states the requirement for the Dietary Manager to be certified. This lapse in following policy and regulatory requirements had the potential to affect kitchen sanitation and the quality of food and nutrition services for all 35 residents in the facility.