You'd think I was applying to CIA! Background checks

NebbyLPN · Nov 27, 2005

I think that depending how large the company you are going to work for this is happening in some places. The larger the corporation running the hospital the more likely this will happen. Also, I've heard that certain states seem to be kind of gung ho for this. Are you sure the paperwork didn't say they "might" do the checks? I know that where lawsuits, back-owed taxes, bankruptcies, and poor credit histories are concerned, some corporations don't want employees on their payroll involved with those because it puts a big drain on their payroll departments and places them between the courts and the employee. As far as workman's comp histories are concerned, they are looking for people who have cheated the system or have had a history of complaining about specific types of injuries in order to get paid off. It causes an increase in the corporations insurance premiums to the insurance company handing their workman's comp claims. There are a number of investigative companies that have set up business just to provide these background checks for employers. If you haven't had any of these happen to you, you're in the clear. A company can hire anyone they want. Overall, these checks will also show if anyone has lied on their application which is usually a deal breaker when it comes to getting hired. Just how large was the hospital you applied to?

Jerico, BSN, RN · Nov 27, 2005

Wait until you try for a license in Texas! They do FBI background check, two sets of fingerprints, too.

I asked them if they needed my first born son, too! :rotfl:

Judee Smudee, ADN, RN · Nov 27, 2005

I am retired but looking for some part time employment. I was quite startled by the requirement that I list everyone that ever lived in my home for the last THIRTY years. No one ever asked me for that info in the past.

Tweety, BSN, RN · Nov 27, 2005

It takes about two weeks for local facilities to do back ground checks here.

Mainly that's because there have been cases of patient rape here that have made headlines. In both cases the person was fired from previous jobs, and had a police record.

It's the few bad that make it hard for the rest of us.

Good luck.

sjb2005 · Nov 27, 2005

Wait until you try for a license in Texas! They do FBI background check, two sets of fingerprints, too.
I asked them if they needed my first born son, too! :rotfl:

Exactly...for Nevada too. And you'll have to pass the drug tests both urine and hair.

bethin · Nov 27, 2005

I think that depending how large the company you are going to work for this is happening in some places. The larger the corporation running the hospital the more likely this will happen. Also, I've heard that certain states seem to be kind of gung ho for this. Are you sure the paperwork didn't say they "might" do the checks? I know that where lawsuits, back-owed taxes, bankruptcies, and poor credit histories are concerned, some corporations don't want employees on their payroll involved with those because it puts a big drain on their payroll departments and places them between the courts and the employee. As far as workman's comp histories are concerned, they are looking for people who have cheated the system or have had a history of complaining about specific types of injuries in order to get paid off. It causes an increase in the corporations insurance premiums to the insurance company handing their workman's comp claims. There are a number of investigative companies that have set up business just to provide these background
checks for employers. If you haven't had any of these happen to you, you're in the clear. A company can hire anyone they want. Overall, these checks will also show if anyone has lied on their application which is usually a deal breaker when it comes to getting hired. Just how large was the hospital you applied to?[/quote
The hospital is owned by a company comprising 2 hospitals in Cincinnati so it is VERY large. The application states it "will conduct an investigation to obtain information." I don't have anything to hide, haven't done anything illegal I just feel it's an invasion of my privacy.

bethin · Nov 27, 2005

I am retired but looking for some part time employment. I was quite startled by the requirement that I list everyone that ever lived in my home for the last THIRTY years. No one ever asked me for that info in the past.

Do you mean previous owners or roommates, children, etc?

bethin · Nov 27, 2005

I think that depending how large the company you are going to work for this is happening in some places. The larger the corporation running the hospital the more likely this will happen. Also, I've heard that certain states seem to be kind of gung ho for this. Are you sure the paperwork didn't say they "might" do the checks? I know that where lawsuits, back-owed taxes, bankruptcies, and poor credit histories are concerned, some corporations don't want employees on their payroll involved with those because it puts a big drain on their payroll departments and places them between the courts and the employee. As far as workman's comp histories are concerned, they are looking for people who have cheated the system or have had a history of complaining about specific types of injuries in order to get paid off. It causes an increase in the corporations insurance premiums to the insurance company handing their workman's comp claims. There are a number of investigative companies that have set up business just to provide these background checks for employers. If you haven't had any of these happen to you, you're in the clear. A company can hire anyone they want. Overall, these checks will also show if anyone has lied on their application which is usually a deal breaker when it comes to getting hired. Just how large was the hospital you applied to?

I understand what you're saying but it still bothers me. If I were (hypothetically) to apply for bankruptcy due to owing a million for my premature child, I don't think it's any of their business. Also, I think it'd be pretty sorry for them to not hire me in that case. I think this whole process has gotten out of control, just like considering knitting needles a deadly weapon.

gauge14iv, MSN, APRN, NP · Nov 27, 2005

Believe it not - debt due to medical expenses is stricken from consideration by most loan generators. It's "understandable & necessary" debt.

Honestly most of those details they will never even ask about - you just fill it out and hand it back - someone who ahs something to hide would likely not bother to even fill it out, so it's an upfront way to scare of the 'bad guys".

It scares off a few good folks too unfortunately.

nurse4theplanet, RN · Nov 27, 2005

I understand what you're saying but it still bothers me. If I were (hypothetically) to apply for bankruptcy due to owing a million for my premature child, I don't think it's any of their business. Also, I think it'd be pretty sorry for them to not hire me in that case. I think this whole process has gotten out of control, just like considering knitting needles a deadly weapon.

yeah, or fingernail clippers!!!!

Yes. I would agree to some extent it is a little extreme. But it is not like they are picking on just you, it is their policy, and like you said...you have nothing to hide. Consider what is more important to you and then make your decisions...like pay/benefits/retirement vs. them knowing mostly public info + what is normally checked at most facilities (criminal background, drug testing, and sometimes credit history). If it bothers you that bad, go to another facility.

Agnus · Nov 28, 2005

You might be very surprised how many CNAs / PCPS are hired with criminal histories.

PCP and CNA are jobs that are very common for ciminals and those with criminal intent to seek out. For several reasons. 1. THey will be working with vulnerable people,2. it is a job that requires relatively little training (150 hours for CNA, and even less for PCP) and yet pays better than unskilled jobs.

It is sad that we must be subjected to this. However, even being an RN or MD does not make you necessairly a safe person to hire. Even these professionals have been guilty of crimes on the job.

Credit checks are done because those who have a tendency to be a poor credit risk are also a risk for stealing. That does not mean to say if you have lousy credit (a lot of people do today) that you are a thief.

I have been bothered by this myself. ANd yet I am appreciative when an employer actually does this because they are careful about who they hire and I know when I get the job I will not be in danger myself from some co worker.

Now the truth. There are many levels of background investigation. Just because an employer says that this is what they investigate it is NOT necessairly what the do.

By telling you they investigate all these things they are protecting themselves from a law suit by you.

Second the hospital does not do the investigation. They use an outside agency for this. They get only what they pay the agency for. Most background checks are very simple. they look at only a few of the things they list. If there is some question that is uncovered and they want to hire you they might pay for more investigation to clarify.

It is extreemly unusual for them to actually investigate all the things that they say they may. The extent of the investigation depends on the risk of the job and what the employer is willing to pay.

I am an employer. The business world highly recomends investigations on employees before hire. One of the reasons is it is like getting married it is a lot easier to hire you than to fire you. Hiring someone inappropriate for any reason can get the employer introuble and set them up for a "wrongful hire" suite.

You will run up against this more and more. In fact the majority of employers do this investigation even if they do not spell it out in such extensive detail as this one does. As a PCP you will probably have a little more investigation than a fast food server because of the population and envorment you work in.

Relax this is a fact of life and it (at least on paper) demonstrates that you will be relatively safe as well.

You know that little you statement that you sign at the end of EVERY job applications that says you swear that all the info you gave is accurate to the best of your knowledge? You sign that so that when an investigation uncovers something (you lied about or misrepresented or forgot about) they can refuse to hire. or fire you, and you can't take any legal or civil action againt them.