The Washington State Department of Health has indefinitely suspended the credential of a registered nursing assistant after he allegedly reported to work under the influence of alcohol and failed to respond to formal disciplinary charges.
According to the Statement of Charges issued by the Department of Health, Christopher Bernard Otieno was employed as a nursing assistant at an adult family home in Federal Way from approximately June 17 through July 3, 2024.
The state documents allege that on or about July 3, 2024, Otieno’s employment was terminated after his employer observed that he “came to work and appeared to be intoxicated.”
During a subsequent inquiry by state health investigators, Otieno responded to a Letter of Cooperation.
According to the state’s Findings of Fact, Otieno submitted a written statement to a Department of Health investigator on April 28, 2025. In that response, Otieno acknowledged consuming alcohol prior to reporting to work.
📄 20260522 Otieno M2025 155 Default Redacted 1 (354KB ∙ PDF file)
Following the investigation, the Department of Health formally accused Otieno of unprofessional conduct on March 17, 2026.
The department cited RCW 18.130.180, which classifies the current misuse of alcohol by a licensed professional as unprofessional conduct that provides grounds for sanctions.
State records indicate that the Department served Otieno with the Statement of Charges and a notice of legal rights on April 8, 2026. Otieno was given until May 5, 2026, to file an answer to the allegations or request a hearing.
Because Otieno did not submit a response to the Adjudicative Clerk’s Office by the deadline, a Review Officer for the Secretary of Health proceeded with disciplinary action by default. On May 20, 2026, the state issued a Final Order of Default.
Under the default order, Otieno’s credential to practice as a nursing assistant-registered in Washington is indefinitely suspended.
Otieno was directed to immediately return all credentials to the Nursing Assistant Program within ten days and assume all costs of complying with the order.
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