Criminal background checks are a requirement for employment in the health care field. It is only intelligent for health care organizations to maintain security for their patients, visitors and employees. Some health care positions may involve working with children. States regulations require hospitals and medical centers to screen the background of potential employees to ensure the safety of children as well as the general patient population. Skilled nursing facilities and assisted living facilities will require background checks for nursing assistants working with elderly or disabled patients, as these patients can be abused much easier than most other patients.

In addition to classroom and clinic training, CNA’s (Certified Nurse Aide’s) are required to pass a background check in order to receive their CNA Certification. Although criteria may differ from state to state, background checks are required to ensure the general safety of the patient and their belongings. As CNA’s, personnel may be given access to a patient’s personal, financial, or medical records, as well as their living environment and medications. In a background check, misdemeanors from up to 5 years previous and any previous felony record will be investigated. All convictions, whether the applicant served any jail time or not are considered.

Generally, a waiver may be granted for CNA applicants if you meet certain qualifications.
* You must have paid all your court fines and competed any probation without incident
* You must have two or more years of sobriety
* You have had only one non-violent crime in the last 5 years
* You had three or fewer convictions that occurred more that 5 years passed

A waiver may be rejected if you meet any of the following criteria:
* If you are still on parole, probation, or incarcerated
* If you were convicted of a crime against an elderly or disabled person
* If you have been convicted of two or more similar crimes within the prior 5 years
* If you have been convicted of two or more violent crimes within the prior 5 years
* If you have been convicted of any type of sexual offense or murder
* If you have been sober for less than two years

Although some convictions can be waived by appealing the state in which you are applying, many are considered to be disqualifying. Some non disqualifying convictions are:
* Prostitution
* Possession of marijuana or other controlled substances
* DUI or DWI
* Deceptive practices (Deceptive practices can be described as knowingly writing or passing checks on your personal account without sufficient funds)
Convictions that are considered to be disqualifying are:
* Possession with intent to sell controlled substances
* Unlawful use of a weapon
* Arson
* Any form of vehicular hijacking
* Manufacturing or delivering controlled substances
* Criminal neglect of a child or elderly person
* Ritualized abuse of a child
* Home invasions
* Any sexual assault or abuse
* Child endangerment
* Battery or Assault
* Kidnapping
* Tampering with food or drugs
* Stalking
* Theft
* Burglary or robbery (armed or unarmed)
* Criminal Trespassing
* Financially exploiting disabled persons or the elderly
* Any form of murder or manslaughter

CNA candidates may also be subject to a check of past employment. You should always be completely honest on your employment application even if your past is less than perfect. Be consistent and truthful with any information that you provide to a hospital or any hiring agency. These background checks are in place to protect the patient as well as potential co-workers. Questions regarding waivers and exceptions may be obtained through the state in which you are seeking certification.

Criminal background checks are a requirement for employment in the health care field. It is only intelligent for health care organizations to maintain security for their patients, visitors and employees. Some health care positions may involve working with children. States regulations require hospitals and medical centers to screen the background of potential employees to ensure the safety of children as well as the general patient population. Skilled nursing facilities and assisted living facilities will require background checks for nursing assistants working with elderly or disabled patients, as these patients can be abused much easier than most other patients.

Today?s background checks required for working in health care can include driving records and credit checks. The driving records search would be for serious types of moving violations. Credit checks are used to prove a pattern of responsibility regarding one’s finances. Having a large debt load, a history of bankruptcies, or even a credit report full of late payments will lead some employers to the assumption that the person applying for the nursing assistant position is at the very least irresponsible.

If you have had past problems, be upfront about it. Not all conviction will affect employment opportunities. Anyone considering a career in health care can be certain that they will need to subject themselves to a criminal background check. If you have a criminal history, you may want to consider checking with CNA programs and health care system to find out what effect your particular criminal record may have on employment.

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