The medical and nursing industries are subject to strict government regulations, making healthcare background checks an essential part of every hiring process.
The proper screening solution can help you avoid losing candidates to other providers or failing to comply with regulations. Learn more about your healthcare background check requirements and how KarmaCheck can help you meet them all.
Background Checks
Through background checks, employers can get a complete picture of a candidate’s past. They are essential to the pre-employment screening and may verify that new hires fit your company’s culture and values. It is also one of the healthcare background check requirements.
Various background check options are available, depending on what information you’re looking for and the type of position you’re filling. These include criminal background checks, drug testing, and education verification.
When hiring employees for positions involving children, higher education, and daycare centers, it’s essential to conduct a sex offender registry check to avoid hiring someone with a history of sex offenses. These background checks can help reduce the risk of sexual assault and abuse in the workplace and help prevent claims of negligent hiring.
Credit checks are another essential background check component, as they can help you determine an applicant’s financial responsibility. They can also provide information on their spending habits, debt level, and other details to help you make an informed hiring decision.
Employment verifications confirm the details of an applicant’s work history, including dates of employment and job titles. They can be conducted with or without salary information and are often the most affordable option.
Before initiating a background check, it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with the strict limitations surrounding what information can be disclosed by the Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and state legislation.
In addition to verifying an applicant’s identity, some background checks can reveal social media data and public record search results. It is an essential consideration in evaluating applicants for high-level positions, as it can be used to understand how they interact with others outside of work.
Drug Screening
In the healthcare field, substance abuse is a serious concern. Drugs can profoundly impact patient health and safety, and screening all applicants for their substance abuse history is essential.
In addition to ensuring that patients are safe, drug screenings can help deter employees from abusing or stealing substances. Employers may require an applicant to pass a drug test to be hired, and they can also check their background for criminal records and other relevant information.
Many hospitals and other medical facilities have drug testing programs in place. These are often designed to meet specific goals.
A common type of drug screen is a urine drug test. It is a quick, easy, and cost-effective method of testing for drugs, including amphetamines, marijuana, opioids, and cocaine.
Urine tests are typically conducted by a clinic or testing facility and can be sent to a laboratory for analysis. Depending on the type of screening (4-13) and company policy, the test can detect a range of substances.
Other types of drug testing include hair specimen analysis and on-site oral fluid screens. These can screen for up to 10 different classifications of illegal drugs.
Drug screenings ensure employee health, safety, and patient protection in the healthcare industry. In addition, many healthcare organizations must comply with specific drug screening requirements by accrediting agencies such as the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO).
Education Verification
Education verification is a core part of any healthcare background check. It provides insight into candidates’ educational credentials and enables you to make well-informed hiring decisions.
The healthcare industry is a complex and fast-paced business that requires highly trained employees to perform their jobs well. It is especially valid for those who interact with patients daily.
Whether you’re a federally funded healthcare provider or a private one, properly verifying all job applicants is essential. This process helps you avoid legal liabilities and protect your company’s reputation.
Verifying an applicant’s education credentials as early as the hiring process is a good idea. It can help you avoid hiring someone who doesn’t have the proper medical degrees, certifications, or licenses.
It is especially true when candidates are applying for positions in the nursing or medical fields. A background check can weed out nurses who don’t have the qualifications necessary to treat patients and protect your organization from potential lawsuits.
A thriving healthcare background check thoroughly reviews an applicant’s educational credentials, including college and university degrees, GED equivalency exams, professional certifications, and licensures. It also includes criminal history checks and employment verification.
Candidates often need to be more accurate in their education history. Studies have found that at least 30% of applications contain erroneous information, with education being among the most falsified claims.
Conducting an education verification for all applicants before you make a hiring decision is critical. You can do this through a DIY approach or educational background check provider.
Employment Verification
Employment verification is a process of confirming a job candidate’s employment history and the information they have reported on their applications and resumes. An employer or a third-party background check company can complete it.
Companies, government agencies, and individuals frequently use employment background checks for different reasons. Some examples include hiring new employees, renting a property, and applying for a mortgage loan.
The most common type of employment verification is contacting a candidate’s previous employer to confirm their dates of employment, title, and reason for leaving. However, other background check options, including verifying an applicant’s salary and work duties, are available.
Typically, a reliable employment background check company will try to contact a candidate’s former employer several times to obtain the information they need. It includes using multiple methods like email, phone calls, and facsimiles.
Employers conducting employment verifications must comply with the Federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) and Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. They also must follow the adverse action process if they find information that makes them want to deny an applicant employment.
Most states have laws regulating the kinds of information that past employers can disclose about their employees. These laws restrict the types of information that can be shared and who can see it. Some states, for example, prohibit employers from asking about a prospective employee’s salary as part of an employment background check.
Fortunately, automated human resource platforms are helping to streamline the verification process. These platforms use electronic signatures to keep the employer and the employee’s sensitive data out of the wrong hands. It is a great way to prevent employment verification lags that can impact your hiring pipeline and cause gaps in your workforce.
Federal Exclusion Search
Federal exclusion searches are performed when a healthcare organization has reason to suspect that an employee or vendor may be excluded from participation in a federally funded healthcare program. These screenings are required by the Office of Inspector General (OIG). They are a best practice for any healthcare organization participating in Medicare, Medicaid, or other federal health programs.
These checks can be performed on various people and organizations, including employees and third-party vendors. They are necessary to ensure that the healthcare provider or vendor is not subject to penalties for submitting fraudulent claims or participating in other types of activities that could harm patients.
In addition to checking against the OIG list of excluded individuals and entities, these checks should also check against state-based lists. These are maintained by 44 states and contain information about healthcare professionals and entities banned from specific healthcare programs due to their involvement in criminal activity or other violations of federal or state laws.
A healthcare provider must input the individual or entity’s name in the search form to complete these searches. Then, the results are compared against other data sources and databases to verify that it matches the person or organization.
This search is essential for healthcare providers, as it allows them to ensure that they are not employing a provider or vendor that has committed fraud or violated other laws that can lead to civil and monetary penalties. These penalties can be costly to the organization, and these checks must be conducted before hiring or re-hiring an employee or vendor.
