Failure to Complete Background and Reference Checks Prior to Staff Hire
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to implement its abuse prohibition policy and procedures by not ensuring that required background checks and reference checks were completed prior to the hire dates for several staff members. Specifically, one licensed nurse was hired and began working before a background check was conducted, and five staff members, including nursing assistants, a social service assistant, and a staffing coordinator, were hired without evidence of reference checks being completed beforehand. The facility's policy requires background checks to be conducted and prohibits the employment of individuals with findings of abuse, neglect, exploitation, or related disciplinary actions. Record reviews confirmed the absence of background and reference checks in the personnel files of the affected staff. Interviews with the Human Resource Director and the Administrator confirmed that staff were allowed to begin work prior to the completion of these checks, contrary to facility policy and regulatory requirements. This lapse in procedure placed residents at risk for abuse, neglect, exploitation, and misappropriation of property.