 Question: - Who do we contact for technical support while using this web site?
Answer: Please contact American DataBank by calling 1-800-200-0853 or send us an e-mail by using our Contact Us web page.
Question: Why are the College and Hospitals requiring criminal background checks for students enrolled in programs that have a required clinical component?
Answer: In programs that require a clinical experience, the College/School utilizes local hospitals for student learning. These hospitals, because of their accrediting body, JCAHO (Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations) are now requiring that all students and faculty who are assigned to their site have provided criminal background checks to the College/School and that the College/School notify the hospital of any individuals who have criminal records. This process became effective fall 2004.
Question: To whom does this new policy apply?
Answer: All students who will be enrolled in a program that has clinical component are required to adhere to this policy.
 Question: Who will be privy to the information provided on the Criminal Background Checks and how will the information be stored?
Answer: The report generated from the criminal background check will be sent to the Dean of the Healthcare Department or the Dean’s designee. If a student has any criminal convictions during the relevant period, that information will be 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, will be considered “criminal convictions” and will be forwarded to the hospitals for their consideration. In the event that the student is denied a clinical practicum by a hospital, the Director of your program will also need to be notified.
The handling of all criminal background records will adhere to guidelines already in place at the College/School for student and employee record security, according to Federal law 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 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.
*Some clinical assignments (Long Term Care and Home Health) may require the completion of a State Bureau Investigation (SBI) background check and fingerprint check. Additional information regarding this requirement will become available soon.
 Question: What is the cost of this service and who is responsible for paying?
Answer: The College/School has negotiated a price with American Databank. The fee for this service is the student’s responsibility to pay for the criminal background check. The search that American Databank has adapted is very thorough so that the students can apply for clinical internship to any hospital.
Question: What if a student does not comply with the requirements described above?
Answer: The hospitals will not allow any student to work in its institution unless the student has provided a criminal background to the College/School. Accordingly, failure to provide The Disclosure & Release Form 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.
Question: What if the report generated from a student’s criminal background check lists a criminal charge?
Answer: The hospitals reserve the right not to accept into their facility for clinical purposes any student who has a criminal background. The College/School is required to provide documentation for those students with criminal backgrounds and the hospital has agreed to inform the College/School within 10 working days of the College/School notifying them of any individuals with a criminal background of a decision to deny them placement into the hospital. If a hospital denies a student placement, the College/School will then deliver the decision of the hospital(s) to the student.
Question: What guidelines will the hospitals follow in determining the type of criminal activity that would prohibit a student from participating in the required clinical component of a program?
Answer: The hospitals reserve the right not to accept any student who has a criminal background. The hospitals will determine this case-by-case 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
7. subsequent crime(s) and relevant offense(s)
|
