Failure to Complete Required Background Reference Check for LVN
Penalty
Summary
The facility failed to follow its Background Investigations policy by allowing a licensed vocational nurse (LVN 2) to work without completion of a required reference check. During an interview and employee file review with the Administrator, it was found that LVN 2’s reference check section in the employee file was not completed, despite LVN 2 having been employed at the facility since 2/13/24. The Administrator acknowledged that, per facility policy and procedure, reference checks should have been completed prior to the nurse beginning work. The written Background Investigations policy stated that job reference checks, drug screenings, licensure verifications, and criminal conviction record checks are to be conducted on all applicants for employment, and that applicants who do not consent to such investigations will not be considered for positions requiring them. The survey finding noted that this failure had the potential to expose residents to abuse, neglect, and mistreatment.
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