Upcoming Background Checks for MCCD

peterbrasco · Jul 21, 2011

I am not really surprised at all maricopa community colleges just keep introducing new stuff.

Crystal74 · Jul 21, 2011

Maybe I read it wrong I thought it only impacts the individuals who will be admitted after or on September 1, 2011. The last FAQ says if you were already admitted prior to September 1, 2011 or currently a student you will have to sign a form and you must abide by the background requirements that were in place when you were admitted which I believe was just the regular finger print clearance card info. I still dont know yet because the district office wont pick up the phone.

Driz · Jul 21, 2011

Maybe I read it wrong I thought it only impacts the individuals who will be admitted after or on September 1, 2011. The last FAQ says if you were already admitted prior to September 1, 2011 or currently a student you will have to sign a form and you must abide by the background requirements that were in place when you were admitted which I believe was just the regular finger print clearance card info. I still dont know yet because the district office wont pick up the phone.

This is the wording that makes me believe existing students will need to meet the new standards: "Additionally, students who have been admitted to an MCCCD healthcare program or WHO ARE CURRENTLY ENROLLED IN ONE as of September 1, 2011 will be required to sign an MCCCD Criminal Background check disclosure acknowledgement form." and "In order for MCCCD students to be able to CONTINUE TO COMPLETE clinical experiences at local hospitals, students must meet these new standards."

Crystal74 · Jul 21, 2011

Well unless they plan on refunding everybody currently in who cant get a level 1 I dont see it affecting them. They still sound a bit unsure about what's going on. I just talked to my advisor and she said they meet on this next week. She also said the same thing it may affect current students but to what extent she has no clue. I think it may affect people who are going to be called for Spring semester to give them enough time to apply for one. I didnt see any September start dates for cohorts just May-August of 2011. I think thats another reason they said September 1st. Who know's though if it isnt this then it will be something else with MCCD because I dont think they are asking this of the students at ASU.

peterbrasco · Jul 21, 2011

I just think MCCCD NURSING DEPT are very crafty.

blueindigo · Jul 21, 2011

The way I read it was that it was the hospitals that are making this happen not the school. So it makes sense to tell people hey you can't complete the program with out doing clinicals and if the hospital won't let you participate then it's a waste of your money and time. I do think it's adbsurd some of the things that will disqualify you. If you show up on the TSA watch list it could be an issue. How many people have been put on that list by mistake? There is going to be alot of people having to jump through hoops to prove they are legit.

peterbrasco · Jul 21, 2011

Remember its only 6 out,of 11 hospitals that are doing that, so 1. It's not state requirement 2. Students already in program or that will be at such hospitals should be,transfered to other 5 hospitals that don't require such, than telling them good by to nursing. I do agree with blueindigo 100%, sometimes background check get messed up.

Crystal74 · Jul 21, 2011

I tried calling dps and they had no idea about students having to apply for level 1 clearance card. Even on their website is list the people who would potentially be applying for a level 1 card and nursing students nor current nurses are on that list. Only time will tell what they plan on doing with this newly imposed rule.

Driz · Jul 21, 2011

I tried calling dps and they had no idea about students having to apply for level 1 clearance card. Even on their website is list the people who would potentially be applying for a level 1 card and nursing students nor current nurses are on that list. Only time will tell what they plan on doing with this newly imposed rule.

Level one fingerprint ID was already required. That isn't a change. It was already a part of the requirements to get on the waitlist and it is what you submit with your application to get on the waitlist. It's just being said now that that isn't enough. The new background checks will "fail" for many other items than people could still have on record to get a level 1 fingerprint clearance.

nana1525 · Jul 22, 2011

I am currently in block one and the instructor clarified that students already in the program do not need to apply for a level one fingerprint card. The fingerprint card we already have is sufficient, but we must sign some papers.I have to say though, the background checks are rather rigorous.

pookapooka · Jul 22, 2011

That's a little irritating.

It says about a thousand times that we have to cover the cost of the background check ourselves. I don't want to pay for that. I've worked in law enforcement for the last 6 or so years and had to have a full-on background investigation and polygraph. Prior to that I worked in an occupational health clinic at a nuclear plant (hello, security clearance). So I see this and immediately think: waste of money.

I guess I should look at the bright side and be thankful that at least I know there are no mistakes in my background.

Although, I was admitted in March for an August 2011 start date, I wonder if this will apply to me? I didn't get an email or written notice... Probably something they were going to spring on us at orientation.