What Screenings Should Your Medical Industry Hiring Process Include?
With access to confidential, sensitive, patient information and often in contact with vulnerable populations, employees in the medical field must be carefully screened. Even those who do not directly interact with patients or their records may deal with proprietary research or other medical data. Thorough background screenings for these critical positions can help employers maintain a conscientious, trustworthy, competent workforce and help to ensure regulatory compliance.
Most Important Screenings for Medical Industry Hiring
Federal, state, and local regulations may require specific background checks to be performed on potential hires. For example, criminal and sex offender records are a necessary review for those in direct contact with patients, while education and certification checks are particularly important for any care providers. Recommended background screenings include:
- Criminal Screening — including federal, state, and county records, as well as sex offender screening
- Employment Verification — confirm past employment details
- Academic and Credential Verification — ensure accurate education and licensing
- Driving Record Screening — especially to meet legal requirements for anyone involved in patient transport
- Professional and Personal References — gather information from former employers, colleagues, and others who know a candidate well
- I-9 Employment Eligibility Verification — ensure employees are legally authorized to work, and meet federal immigration regulations
- Fraud and Abuse Control Information System (FACIS) Check — specialized screening for healthcare workers
- Drug Screening — for illegal and prescription medications, particularly for employees with access to opiates, barbiturates, and other controlled medications
- Child and Elder Abuse Registries — especially for employees in direct patient contac
Keeping up with frequent changes in privacy, drug testing, criminal background, and other screening regulations and prohibitions can be complicated, and failure to comply can be an expensive and risky proposition. At Employers Reference Source, Inc., we have the experience and knowledge to properly screen current employees and future hires in the healthcare industry as well as any other field. Contact us today to learn more about our complete array of screening services and let us take the work out of this important process for you.
