Failure to Complete Background Checks Prior to Employment
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that a floor technician (FT1) completed and documented a criminal background history, including checks for abuse, neglect, or exploitation, prior to employment. According to the facility's Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation policy, all potential employees are required to undergo background, reference, and credentials checks, with documentation maintained as proof. However, a review of FT1's personnel file revealed no evidence of a completed criminal background check or reference checks before employment. The file only indicated that two reference checks were attempted but not completed. This deficiency was identified following an investigation into a substantiated allegation of exploitation involving a resident (R6), who reported that FT1 sent text messages requesting money. The investigation included screenshots confirming the requests, and FT1 was subsequently terminated. During an interview, the Administrator, who also served as the Abuse Prevention Coordinator, confirmed the absence of a background check and incomplete reference checks for FT1.