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Phony Nurse License Nets Extra Pay

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By KYLE MARTIN kmartin@hernandotoday.com

Published: September 20, 2007

SPRING HILL - A Spring Hill woman forged her credentials to get extra pay as a licensed practical nurse at Deltona Elementary School, authorities say.

Jean Sciacovelli spent the 2006-2007 school year in the school's clinic as a health care professional, but it wasn't until after she left her job that she was arrested.

A tip two days ago led to a joint investigation by the state Department of Health and Florida Department of Law Enforcement when she applied for a job as an LPN at Maxim Healthcare in Brooksville.

Investigators say Sciacovelli used the license of another person and altered the name on the document.

That inquiry led them to the school district, where she allegedly used a different forged document to qualify as an LPN.

Sciacovelli, 42, was arrested Tuesday and accused of practicing in a health care profession without a license, a third-degree felony. She has posted a $5,000 bond.

A message left at her home telephone was not returned Thursday.

Sciacovelli's old job at Deltona Elementary School doesn't require a license. The health department provides a health care professional with first aid training on the basics such as cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

It also prepares an employee to dispense medicine and treat children with ailments such as diabetes.
But a license as an LPN does pad a paycheck with an extra $1,500 a year. According to her personnel file, Sciacovelli provided the appropriate documents last September and the additional pay was pro-rated for the rest of the year.

"I think she should have to pay (the extra money) back," said Sandra Nicholson, vice-chair of the school board. "That makes sense to me."

Sciacovelli's contract was not renewed in May.

Included in her file is a certificate from the National Healthcare Association, which qualifies Sciacovelli as an LPN.

A photocopy of a small member card issued by the Florida Department of Health April 8, 2005 identifies Sciacovelli as a LPN.

A spokeswoman for the department of health confirmed the card is phony. "She's never been licensed by the department of health," said Eulinda Jackson.

The public can easily confirm a license by visiting the department of health's Web site, which lists every medical practitioner. That also provides all the pertinent information needed to craft a bogus license.

"You pretty much pick and choose," Jackson said.

Before she came to Hernando County, Sciacovelli provided medical care to a family in Bayshore, N.Y.
Her private employer gave her a glowing review, writing that Sciacovelli was "wonderful with children." She added that Sciacovelli came to her with 20 years in the healthcare industry and seven years as a LPN.

Investigators say Sciacovelli had no license in New York, either.
Rave reviews also came from a substance abuse facility at the University of Akron, where Sciacovelli served as a site manager.

Her boss "highly" recommended her and praised Sciacovelli's ability to relate "well with students and teachers."

Reporter Kyle Martin can be contacted at 352-544-5271.

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