Why is the college requiring criminal background checks for students enrolled in programs that have a required clinical component?

In programs that require a clinical experience, the college utilizes local hospitals for student learning. These hospitals, because of their accrediting body, JCAHO (Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations) now requires all students and faculty assigned to their sites to have criminal background checks and the college must notify the hospital of any individuals who have criminal records.

To whom does this new policy apply?

All students enrolled in a program with a clinical component are required to adhere to this policy. In the college's Health Technologies Department, this includes students enrolled in the following programs:

What does the criminal background check include?

Who is privy to the information provided on the criminal background checks and how is the information stored?

The report generated from the criminal background check is received by the Dean of the Health Technologies Department or the Dean’s designee. If a student has any criminal convictions during the relevant period, that information is shared with a representative of the hospitals where that student may be assigned. For purposes of this review, all criminal convictions on the report, with the exception of minor traffic violations, are considered “criminal convictions” and forwarded to the hospitals for their consideration.  In the event that the student a hospital denies a clinical practicum, the Program Director is also notified. 
 
The handling of all criminal background records will adhere to guidelines already in place at the college for student and employee record security; to federal laws such as the Privacy Act of 1974; to state laws, including the Crime Prevention and Privacy Compact, notably the provisions of Articles IV and V; and to applicable accreditation standards. When criminal background information is shared with the hospitals, they too, will adhere to confidentiality guidelines already in place for their own employees and volunteers with respect to the handling of this information.

What do students need to do to comply with this requirement?

In selecting a company to assist with this process, the college identified the least expensive and most convenient service possible with uniform reports submitted by all students. To comply with the criminal background checks requirement, students must utilize FirstPoint Information Resources.  When students are admitted into the clinical course in their program of study , the student receives the following directions:

1. The student completes the Consent Form and Hold Harmless Agreement (yellow document) and submits the form to the Dean of Health Technologies by the deadline provided.  Completing this consent form permits the college to access the background check generated by FirstPoint and share the information as necessary with the clinical affiliates.
2. When given the consent for to complete, the student is also given the FirstPoint contact information (blue document). The student contacts FirstPoint online and completes the required form. The fee for the background check is $18.  This includes all states that the student has lived in during the past 10 years or to the age of 18, whichever is shorter. The student will need to pay by credit card, debit card, or mail in a cashier’s check before the background check is completed.
3. It takes 24 to 48 hours in most situations for the background check to be completed.  The college accesses and reviews each student’s background check and forwards the report of any student having any criminal convictions (with the exception of minor traffic violations) to the hospitals for review.
4. Students are able to request a copy of the background check when they complete the process online.

*Note that some clinical assignments (long rerm care and home health) may also require completion of a State Bureau Investigation (SBI) background check and fingerprint check.  Additional information regarding these requirements will be made available to the student as soon as possible.

What is the cost of the FirstPoint service and who is responsible for paying?

The college has negotiated a price with FirstPoint Information Resources. The fee is $18. It is the student's responsibility to pay for the criminal background check.

What if a student has completed a criminal background check prior to this request; can the information obtained from it meet this requirement?

No, all students must use the company and follow the process described as well as adhere to the deadlines given to them.

What if a student does not comply with the requirements described above?

The hospitals will not allow any student to work in its institution unless the student has provided a criminal background check to the college.  Accordingly, failure to consent to release of information or to cooperate appropriately with regard to the investigation process and procedures shall result in the student not being able to progress in the program.

What if the report generated from a student’s criminal background check lists a criminal charge?

Hospitals reserve the right not to accept into their facility for clinical purposes any student who has a criminal background. The college is required to provide documentation for those students with criminal backgrounds and the hospital has agreed to inform the college within 10 working days of the college notifying them of any individuals with a criminal background of a decision to deny any students placement into the hospital. If a hospital denies a student placement, the college will then make the student aware of the hospital's decision.

If a student has a criminal background, when will the student learn of the hospital’s decision?

As soon as the hospital(s) notify the college, the college notifies the student.

What if a hospital refuses a clinical practicum for a student through their facility?

If the hospital denies a student placement in their facility, the student will be unable to complete the required clinical component of the course. This will prohibit the student from progressing and completing the program of study successfully. Thus, the student will be dismissed from the program.

What guidelines will hospitals follow in determining the type of criminal activity that would prohibit a student from participating in the required clinical component of a program?

Hospitals reserve the right not to accept any student who has a criminal background. Hospital staff determine this on a case-by-case basis considering the following factors:

1. Level and seriousness of the crime(s);
2. Date(s) of the crime(s);
3. Applicant’s age(s) at the time(s) of conviction(s);
4. Circumstances of the crime(s);
5. Connection between the criminal conduct and the job to be filled;
6. The prison, jail, probation, parole, rehabilitation, and employment records of the candidate subsequent to the crime; and
7. Subsequent crime(s) and relevant offense(s).

What should a student do if the student believes that the criminal background check includes false or inaccurate information?

A student who believes that the criminal background check contains false or inaccurate information should bring the matter directly to the attention of FirstPoint Information Resources as soon as possible.  The company will attempt to verify the identifying information and re-run the background check. There is no charge for this service.

What if an applicant or student is convicted of any criminal offense(s) subsequent to the date the student has obtained the criminal background check?

If an applicant or student is convicted of any criminal offense(s) other than minor traffic violations subsequent to the date the student has obtained the criminal background check under this policy, the student is required within three days after such conviction, to report it in writing to the Dean of Health Technologies.  The report must include the date, court location, and nature of any subsequent criminal convictions. This information may then be forwarded to the hospitals for review and another criminal background check may be required at the student’s expense. The hospitals, in their discretion, may elect to deny a student with a newly reported criminal background permission to continue to participate in the clinical experience at their site, which would mean that the student would be unable to complete his or her clinical training and would be dismissed from the program of study.

What if a student has additional questions?

Students can contact the Dean of Health Technologies, Margaret Skulnik, at 919-536-7233 ext. 8131 or their program’s director if he/she has additional questions.