Failure to Verify and Maintain Nurse Aide Certification
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that a nurse aide (CNA A) had a current and valid nurse aide certification while actively providing care to residents. Record review showed that CNA A's certification had expired, yet she continued to work scheduled shifts and provide direct care. The facility did not obtain timely registry verification prior to allowing CNA A to serve as a nurse aide, and there was no documentation in her personnel file indicating any disciplinary actions or concerns with her resident care during the period her certification was expired. Interviews with facility staff revealed that the Director of Nursing (DON) became aware of the expired certification after CNA A brought in documentation showing her certificate had lapsed. The DON confirmed that CNA A had worked a night shift after her certification had expired and before the issue was identified. The Administrator (ADM) and Human Resources (HR) Manager both acknowledged that there was a lapse in the process for monitoring and verifying CNA certifications, especially during a period of staff turnover in the DON and ADON positions. The HR Manager stated she was not aware that the responsibility for checking renewals had not been transferred to the new DON and ADON. CNA A reported she was unaware her certification had expired and believed that previous management would handle the renewal process. She continued to work her scheduled shifts until she was notified of the expiration. The facility's policy required verification of licensure or certification prior to employment and prohibited staff from providing direct care without current credentials, but this policy was not followed in CNA A's case.