Evidence/Findings:
<p>Based on documentation review, record review, and interview, the manager failed to ensure a personnel record included documentation of compliance with the requirements in A.R.S. § 36-411, for four of eight personnel sampled. The deficient practice posed a risk to the health and safety of residents, as there was no evidence to show that <span style="color: rgb(68, 68, 68); background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">E2, E3, E5, and E7</span> were fit to work at the assisted living facility.</p><p> </p><p><br></p><p>Findings include:</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>1. A.R.S. § 36-411 states, "... as a condition of licensure or continued licensure of a residential care institution, a nursing care institution or a home health agency and as a condition of employment in a residential care institution, a nursing care institution or a home health agency, employees and owners of residential care institutions, nursing care institutions or home health agencies or contracted persons or volunteers who provide medical services, nursing services, behavioral health services, health-related services, home health services or supportive services and who have not been subject to the fingerprinting requirements of a health professional's regulatory board pursuant to title 32 shall have valid fingerprint clearance cards that are issued pursuant to title 41, chapter 12, article 3.1 or shall apply for a fingerprint clearance card within twenty working days of employment or beginning volunteer work."</p><p> </p><p><br></p><p>2. A.R.S. § 36-411(C) states: "C. Owners shall make documented, good faith efforts to: ... 2. Verify the current status of a person's fingerprint clearance card..."</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>3. A review of facility documentation revealed a policy titled "WATERMARK RETIREMENT COMMUNITIES - Associate Engagement/HR Associate Fingerprinting – AZ Only." The policy stated, "It is the policy of Watermark Retirement Communities, LLC (WRC) and its affiliates… To ensure that every associate who meets the Arizona Department of Health Services definition of a caregiver or assistant caregiver and those who actually provide direct care to the provider residents has an acceptable fingerprint clearance through the Arizona Department of Public Safety... I. All associates providing direct care to residents, including the Assisted Living and Dementia Program Directors, as outlined above, must provide proof that they have a valid Fingerprint Clearance Card as conducted by the Arizona Department of Public Safety... VIII. If the associate does not have proof of the credentials listed in #1 above, they must complete a form for a D.P.S. fingerprint background check within 10 days of starting work. Processing of the fingerprint forms is handled by the Business Office."</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>4. A review of E2’s personnel record revealed that E2 was hired as an assistant caregiver on February 26, 2025. The record included an application for a fingerprint clearance card. An internet search of the Arizona Department of Public Safety website (https://psp.azdps.gov/services/cardStatusRequest) showed that the application was received on April 15, 2025. However, the application was not submitted within twenty working days of employment, as required, but rather thirty-six working days after the hire date. During this period, E2 was providing assisted living services and direct care to residents without a valid fingerprint clearance card.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>5. A review of E3’s personnel record revealed that E3 was hired as an assistant caregiver on February 26, 2025. The record included for a fingerprint clearance card issued May 24, 2025. An internet search of the Arizona Department of Public Safety website (https://psp.azdps.gov/services/cardStatusRequest) showed that the application was received on October 25, 2024. However, the fingerprint clearance card was not issued until May 24, 2025, and the facility failed to verify that E3 possessed a valid fingerprint clearance card or confirm the status of the card from the time of hire until the date of issuance. During this period, E3 was providing assisted living services and direct care to residents without a valid fingerprint clearance card.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>6. A review of E5’s personnel record revealed that E5 was hired as a caregiver on July 1, 2019. The record showed that E5’s fingerprint clearance card expired on December 26, 2024, and a new card was issued on April 9, 2025. An internet search of the Arizona Department of Public Safety website (https://psp.azdps.gov/services/cardStatusRequest) indicated that the application was received on March 31, 2025, approximately three months after the previous card had expired. During this period, E5 was providing assisted living services and direct care to residents without a valid fingerprint clearance card.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>7. A review of E7’s personnel record revealed that E7 was hired as a caregiver on March 25, 2025. The record showed that E7’s fingerprint clearance card expired on March 11, 2025, and a new card was issued on August 04, 2025. An internet search of the Arizona Department of Public Safety website (https://psp.azdps.gov/services/cardStatusRequest) indicated that the application was received on July 03, 2025, approximately four months after the previous card had expired. During this period, E7 was providing assisted living services and direct care to residents without a valid fingerprint clearance card.</p><p> </p><p><br></p><p>8. In an interview, E9 and E11 reported that the fingerprint clearance card applications were not submitted within twenty working days of employment, and the renewals were not completed before the previous cards expired. As a result, E2, E3, E5, and E7 were providing assisted living services and direct care to residents without valid fingerprint clearance cards.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>9. In an exit interview, the findings were reviewed with E9, E10, and E11, and no additional information was provided.</p>
Summary:
The following deficiencies were found during the on-site compliance inspection and investigation of complaint 00145903 conducted on October 14, 2025: