If you are a licensed nursing home administrator (LNHA), you know how rewarding this job can be – but you also know it comes with many challenges. Because nursing homes are frequently the target of lawsuits, LNHAs also face heightened scrutiny – and in some cases, being accused of committing misconduct or endangering residents can cause you to lose your nursing home administrator license. If you are an ethical LNHA who is passionate about caring for the elderly, the thought of losing your job is likely distressing for many reasons. Not only would you be abandoning the vulnerable individuals who depend on your leadership and guidance, but you would also lose the career you've spent years training for and building.
In many cases, licensing boards can pursue disciplinary action based on slim evidence, meaning a simple misunderstanding by an angry family member or an innocent mistake can lead to a long and drawn-out investigation by the licensing board in your state that could put your career and your reputation on the line. If someone has filed a complaint against you, now is the time to act in your own defense. Read on to find out reasons why your license could be revoked, how an investigation could occur, and why you need experienced Attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento and his nationwide Professional License Defense Team on your side to help protect your rights and safeguard your license and your future.
Why Your Nursing Home Administrator License Could Be Revoked
Each state has an official institution responsible for the licensing of nursing home administrators, as well as pursuing disciplinary action and revoking licenses when they deem it necessary and appropriate. Some reasons an LNHA might lose their license include:
- Immediate jeopardy: This means your nursing home has been investigated, and the residents at your facility have been found to be in danger due to noncompliance with regulations. In most cases, immediate action is required to correct these issues, and an investigation is almost always imminent.
- Fraud: This involves essentially lying to your patients, their families, and other entities such as insurance companies by falsifying bills or patient records for purposes of dubious financial gain.
- Mental illness or drug addiction: If someone alleges you are addicted to drugs or alcohol – and especially if you've been intoxicated at work – your nursing home administrator license may be at risk. The same goes for mental illnesses that impact your ability to safely do your job.
- Unprofessional or immoral conduct: This could include unethical romantic relationships with patients, as well as unwanted sexual advances or harassment against patients or colleagues. Certain types of criminal convictions may also cause you to be investigated.
- Violating regulations: If you repeatedly violate nursing home regulations or fail to comply with continuing education requirements, your future as an LHNA could be on shaky ground.
What to Do When You're the Subject of a Licensing Board Investigation
If you are under investigation by the LHNA licensing board in your state, your primary concern should be managing the board's impression of you. Maintain a professional demeanor – don't panic or try to explain away rule infractions or bad behavior or cast blame on someone else. Ensure the board that you will cooperate with their investigation – and don't let them rush you. Ask for all the time you need to appropriately understand and respond to their accusations, as you need to fully comprehend the complaints against you in order to defend yourself effectively.
In general, the process for the investigation will start with the board notifying you and requesting a response within a certain timeframe. Regardless of your personal feelings about the complaint, it is always vital to pay attention to investigators and take them seriously. As the investigation progresses, it will likely include interviews with witnesses and possible site visits. It is wise to contact an attorney-advisor before the investigation gets underway, so you know how to proceed in a way that casts you and your nursing home in the best possible light. Keep in mind that some cases found to be without merit are dismissed, and Attorney-advisor Lento can help you move forward in ways that are more likely to lead to this outcome.
Once you've been notified that you are under investigation, your next step should be contacting Attorney-advisor Lento, who is experienced in matters concerning LHNAs and licensing boards across the country. You don't want your investigation or official hearing to devolve into a game of your word against theirs because you are sure to lose – they will have a legal team backing them up and helping them build a powerful case against you. That's why you need the Lento Law Firm's Professional License Defense Team to help you gather the appropriate types of evidence to craft your own equally powerful defense. Your career and your future are worth it.
Why You Need Attorney Lento if Your Nursing Home Administrator License is at Risk
If you're an LHNA, you know that working with the elderly can be an extremely meaningful profession – but it is important to also treat the families and friends of your patients with respect at all times, as most complaints to the licensing board come from these individuals. If you've received a complaint at your nursing home and you're now the subject of a licensing board investigation, don't head into this daunting and overwhelming experience on your own. Remember, the licensing board will have many lawyers at their disposal, so you need an experienced attorney-advisor and a legal team on your side as well.
Attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento and his Professional License Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm know how to navigate the complex laws and regulations surrounding nursing home administration, and they can help you defend yourself against your accusations just like they've helped hundreds of other healthcare professionals across the country maintain their careers and rescue their reputations.Contact Attorney-advisor Joseph D. Lento and his Professional License Defense Team at the Lento Law Firm online or call 888-535-3686 to schedule a consultation.
