Failure to Document Criminal Background Checks Prior to Hire
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to ensure that two certified nursing assistants (CNAs) had completed and documented criminal background checks prior to their dates of hire. During a review of employee files, it was found that there were no documented dates on the criminal background checks for both CNAs. The Director of Nursing confirmed the hire dates and the absence of documentation, while Human Resources stated that background checks were performed before hiring but could not provide evidence, as the screen grabs taken did not include dates. The facility's policy requires that all applicants be screened for criminal background, fraud, and sex offender status before employment, and that any applicant with documented actions against them would not be considered for hire. However, the lack of documented dates on the background checks meant there was no verifiable proof that these checks were completed prior to employment, resulting in noncompliance with the facility's own hiring procedures.