Employers in industries concerning sensitive information or job duties often require background checks on prospective employees. Examples of these employers include public schools, government agencies, and healthcare facilities. The criminal background checks that professionals in these industries have to pass include lots of information. The three most pertinent things that show up in a criminal background check include identity authentication, employment and education verification, and criminal offenses.

Identity Authentication

Criminal background checks authenticate someones identity. State-issued ID, birthdate, social security number, and fingerprints are routinely collected as part of this process. All of these pieces of information are unique to each person. If they all match up, this serves to verify someones identity. In the case that they do not match up, this raises a red flag for the employer. Sometimes, this is because the person recently had a name change due to marriage or other circumstances. If not, something may be amiss.

Employment & Education Verification

Background checks also serve to ensure that the candidates can perform the job for which they have applied. This is especially important for positions that require college degrees and/or specialized certifications. Additionally, certain higher-level positions require a lot of job experience. Background check results exclude people who lie about their employment history.

Healthcare workers such as doctors, nurses, pharmacists must hold specialized degrees to be eligible for the exams that issue their licenses. Passing these exams is the last requirement before entering the workforce. Verification of these achievements is essential to protecting both future employees and clients of these applicants.

There is considerable emphasis on healthcare applicant background checks, given the materials at healthcare workers disposal. Sharp objects like needles and scalpels are accessible in the healthcare setting, as well as a variety of medications. Used inappropriately, these things can cause considerable injury and even death.

While teachers dont have access to the same injurious or lethal materials in the workplace, they have access to sensitive information and vulnerable children. Background checks on teachers and childcare workers prevent predators from accessing children, as well as ensure that teachers hold the appropriate licenses.

Criminal Offenses

The most compelling part of a background check is often the criminal history, especially if the candidate has an arrest or conviction record. In some industries, an arrest or conviction may not exclude a candidate from consideration. Other industries, however, require a high standard of discipline and integrity that would prohibit hiring a candidate with an arrest record or criminal conviction.

Healthcare facilities and pharmacies will be particularly wary of hiring candidates with a history of drug offenses. These workplaces need drugs to carry out their day-to-day operations. It can be especially tempting for an addict to be around drugs day in and out. People with violent criminal histories are also often excluded because of the potential to use medical supplies as weapons.

The main concern for checking the criminal history of teachers and childcare and public school candidates is to identify any registered sex offenders or people with a history of child abuse or other crimes involving children. Hiring people with these types of criminal histories places children and staff at unnecessary risk. Excluding candidates based on this information is simply a safety measure.

Keeping employees and clients safe is a priority for many businesses. Should you need a criminal background check for a job candidate or another reason, Soteria Screening is here to help! View our background check products and visit our website for more information.