F0728

F

Failure to Ensure Timely Completion of Nurse Aide Training and Certification

Albuquerque, New Mexico Survey Completed on 01-08-2026

Penalty

No penalty information released

Summary

The facility failed to ensure that nurse aides in training completed a Nurse Aide Training and Competency Evaluation Program (NATCEP) or a Competency Evaluation Program (CEP) within four months of employment, resulting in two nurse aides in training working beyond the allowable period without certification. Personnel records showed that one nurse aide in training was hired on 10/09/24 and was scheduled to take the certified nursing aide test on 01/31/26, yet timesheets documented that she worked 151 shifts between 01/01/25 and 12/31/25 without having obtained certification. Another nurse aide in training was hired on 06/29/25 and was also scheduled to take the CNA test on 01/31/26, with timesheets indicating she worked 57 shifts between 08/01/25 and 12/31/25 without certification. In an interview, the Administrator confirmed that both nurse aides in training had not yet received their certification while continuing to work shifts and stated that her expectation was for all nurse aides to become certified within four months of hire.

This deficient practice was identified as likely to affect all 109 residents residing at the facility by allowing untrained staff to provide direct care, based on the surveyors’ review of personnel records, timesheets, and the Administrator’s interview statements.