The 154-bed facility has been without a qualified social worker since August 14, 2025, according to federal inspectors who visited in September following a complaint. Federal regulations require nursing homes with more than 120 beds to employ a full-time social worker.
The administrator told inspectors during a September 25 interview that their social worker had resigned a month earlier. The facility then hired a replacement on August 29, but she worked only about a week before resigning for personal reasons.
"The potential risk of not having a social worker could result in resident's psychosocial needs, grievances and coordination of resident discharges not being addressed," the administrator acknowledged to inspectors.
At the time of the inspection, Grace Pointe housed 54 residents who had been without required social work services for over six weeks.
The administrator said he had just hired another social worker to start on October 7. But he admitted he had not reached out for help with social services at his facility, despite his company operating multiple facilities in the El Paso area.
Federal inspectors found the facility's own policy outlined extensive social worker responsibilities. The position requires coordinating discharge planning to ensure safe transitions of care and regulatory compliance. Social workers also handle psychosocial aspects of resident care and serve as liaisons with residents, families, and the interdisciplinary care team.
The facility's policy states social workers need either a bachelor's degree in social work or secondary education in social services with certification. Their duties include managing the psychosocial and coordination aspects of resident discharges.
Without a social worker, residents faced potential delays in discharge planning when they were ready to leave the facility. The absence also meant no dedicated staff member was handling resident grievances or addressing their psychosocial needs during their stay.
The administrator's company operates multiple nursing homes in El Paso, yet he told inspectors he had not sought temporary social work coverage from other facilities during the prolonged vacancy.
Grace Pointe's census of 54 residents represents about 35 percent of its licensed capacity. Even at this reduced occupancy, federal regulations still required a full-time social worker because the facility is licensed for more than 120 beds.
The inspection occurred on September 25, more than six weeks after the facility lost its social worker. By that point, dozens of residents had gone without required social work services for their entire stay at the facility.
Inspectors documented that some residents were affected by the violation, though the report does not specify how many residents experienced delayed discharges or unaddressed psychosocial needs during the coverage gap.
The facility policy emphasized that social workers must ensure "safe transitions of care" and "adequate coordination" with families and medical teams. Without this position filled, residents approaching discharge faced potential coordination problems that could delay their return home or transfer to other care settings.
Federal inspectors classified the violation as causing minimal harm or potential for actual harm. However, they noted the failure put facility residents at risk of not having their psychosocial or discharge planning needs met.
The administrator's acknowledgment that residents could experience unaddressed grievances highlights another gap in required services. Social workers typically serve as advocates for residents who have concerns about their care or treatment.
Grace Pointe's prolonged vacancy in this federally required position occurred despite the administrator's awareness of the risks to resident care. The facility continued operating below required staffing standards while residents accumulated time without mandated social work services.
The inspection found the facility had been advertising for a social worker and eventually hired someone to start in early October. But residents who needed discharge planning or psychosocial support during the six-week gap received no coverage for these federally mandated services.
Full Inspection Report
The details above represent a summary of key findings. View the complete inspection report for Grace Pointe Wellness Center from 2025-12-01 including all violations, facility responses, and corrective action plans.