Failure to Monitor and Verify Nurse Aide Certification Status
Penalty
Summary
A nursing assistant (NA) was employed and worked at the facility with an expired Nurse Aide Certification. Review of the personnel file and staffing schedules confirmed that the NA's certification had expired, yet the NA continued to work scheduled shifts after the expiration date. The Human Resources (HR) Director stated she had verbally informed the scheduler about the impending expiration but could not recall the specific date of notification. The scheduler did not recall receiving this notification and indicated that, per usual practice, the NA would be removed from the schedule if the certification was not renewed. However, there was no documented communication or verification that the certification had been renewed. Interviews with the Director of Nursing (DON) and the Administrator revealed that both expected NAs to have active certifications and to be removed from the schedule if their certification expired. The responsibility for monitoring certification status and notifying the scheduler was assigned to the HR Director, but the process relied on verbal communication without documentation. As a result, the NA continued to work without an active certification, and no one verified the renewal status before allowing the NA to remain on the schedule.