The license of certified nursing assistant John Patrick Marion, formerly employed at Kitsap Health & Rehabilitation Center, has been suspended following sexual misconduct charges.

Marion allegedly inappropriately touched and kissed the breasts and genital area of a former patient while she was out of the facility on an approved excursion on July 23, 2009, according to the state Department of Health’s charging statement.

The alleged incident occurred about two months after Marion was terminated from Kitsap Health & Rehabilitation Center in Bremerton. Marion invited the wheelchair-bound patient to his hotel room and she accepted.

The charging document states that once in the hotel room, Marion asked the patient if she wanted to have sex, and she declined. Marion proceeded to take the patient, who has multiple sclerosis, out of her wheelchair and placed her on the bed and removed her clothing, kissing her breasts and genital area.

The Department of Health was informed of the alleged misconduct by the Washington Department of Social and Health Services, which was contacted by the Kitsap Health & Rehabilitation Center.

The Department of Health lists Marion’s nursing assistant certification as being first issued in November 1993 and last issued in October 2008. It is set to expire Oct. 15, 2009. Marion was employed at the rehabilitation center from about March 2007 to about May 2009, according to the Department of Health.

The rehabilitation center was unable to provide any additional information. Charges were forwarded to the Kitsap County Prosecutor’s Office for review.

“We don’t take criminal action, it is now pending with the prosecutor’s office,” said Robin Bucknell of the state Department of Health Investigation and Inspection Office.

A call to the county prosecutor’s office was not immediately returned.

Marion has 20 days to request a hearing with the Department of Health regarding his suspended credentials.