Unqualified Director of Food and Nutrition Services Without Full-Time Clinical Nutrition Coverage
Penalty
Summary
Facility staff failed to designate a qualified individual to serve as Director of Food and Nutrition Services when the facility did not employ a full-time qualified dietitian or other clinically qualified nutrition professional. The job description for the Food Service Director, dated 04/08/21, stated that the position was responsible for supervision over all dietary functions and staff, including planning, organizing, developing, implementing, and directing the dietary services department and its programs in accordance with current rules, regulations, and guidelines. Review of the personnel records for the person hired into the Food Service Director position on 01/27/25 showed no documentation of prior dietary management experience in a nursing facility, nor certification or other education required for the Director of Food and Nutrition Services role. During interview, the Food Service Director reported having served in that role since January 2025, confirmed having no prior experience as a dietary manager in a nursing facility, and stated they did not have a degree or certification related to food service management. The Food Service Director reported enrolling in an online certified dietary manager course on 10/13/25 but had not yet started the course. The Food Service Director also stated that the facility’s registered dietitian worked only part-time and that the facility did not employ any certified or clinically qualified nutritional staff full-time. In a separate interview, the CEO confirmed that the Food Service Director had been in the role since January 2025, acknowledged that the registered dietitian worked part-time, and confirmed there were no full-time certified or clinically qualified nutritional staff. The CEO further stated that they were aware the Food Service Director did not meet the required qualifications but believed there was a grace period for obtaining certification and did not know the requirements had to be met upon hire.
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