Woman accused of impersonating a nurse at 2 Los Angeles County hospitals, police say
Burbank police arrested a Virginia woman for allegedly impersonating a nurse at at least two Los Angeles County hospitals.
Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center hired 44-year-old Amanda Leeann Porter as a nurse earlier this year, unaware that she did not hold a nursing license and is currently on federal probation for fraud. Between April 8 and May 8, Porter cared for roughly 60 patients before staff discovered she was impersonating a real registered nurse who did not live in California, according to the Burbank Police Department.
"Providence Saint Joseph is committed to quality and safety to ensure the best possible care for our patients. As a new hire, this employee was in her orientation phase, and as such was partnered with a training nurse during the five nursing shifts she worked in our hospital," the hospital administration wrote in a statement.
Porter received two paychecks before the hospital fired her. During their investigation, Burbank police discovered that Porter had been arrested by the LA County Sheriff's Department for a similar violation at the Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital in Santa Clarita.
"The person in question was in the probationary phase of employment with our organization and under the supervision of a nurse preceptor during this time period. We do not have any indication the quality of care patients received was compromised," Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital staff wrote.
The LA County District Attorney charged Porter with three felonies: identity theft, false impersonation and grand theft.
She has been arraigned and is currently being held without bail.
Detectives believe other local hospitals hired Porter after she allegedly used false identities.
The department urged anyone with information on similar instances in Southern California to call their local law enforcement agency or Burbank police Detective Arias at (818) 238-3210. Investigators said that tips can be submitted anonymously.
