Background Checks: The Importance of Consent

When coming aboard any new position, 9 times out of 10 the employer will require a background check to be completed and cleared prior to your first day on the job. Typically, you will sign a consent form or "release of information" form buried somewhere in your new hire paperwork that will go over the various types of checks you are consenting to having run whether that is your criminal, educational, medical, credit, or other background information. It is important that the employer receives this consent and that the potential employee understands what they are agreeing to.

Candidates should know that no employer is exempt from obtaining permission before running your background. Verbal permission is not valid for obtaining a background check which is why the form exists in the first place. This serves as protection for both the employer and employee since verbal consent/contracts can easily become quite messy. In addition, if the employer declines to employ you based on information they received in your background check, they are required to report that to you and give you the company's name that provided the information.

In the travel nurse/therapy industry, a lack of gaining the consent needed in a timely manner can have negative consequences including:
Your start date could be pushed back because the results aren't received in a timely manner (background checks aren't quick!)
The facility might book someone in your place that has their background information cleared while waiting for yours to come back. Losing your contract over something like this is not worth it.
From a business perspective, we can lose the contract and could possibly lose the relationship we have with the facility itself if we don't have things done when we say we will.

I cannot stress enough how important the credentialing/paperwork side of coming aboard as a new hire is on all sides. Please note that I am not advocating for you to skim through your paperwork and get back all information as quickly as possible without reading through and understanding what you are signing. However, I am advocating for the importance of the new hire process and making sure things are completed timely. Make your documents and credentialing process a priority - not items you'll get around to completing. We're here to help you start - not annoy you with loads of paperwork. Additionally, when you get the paperwork to fill out, read it and make sure you understand it. If you have any questions about the paperwork or the process, let us know immediately so that we have the opportunity to address any items you wish to talk about. Doing this early in the process will help avoid getting things in late and ultimately, causing you further issues when you're unable to start in time.

You're a valued professional and the facility needs you there for a reason which is why they want you to start on time. If you have any questions about our credentialing process at TravelMed USA, please let me know. I'd be happy to go over what to expect if you decide to come aboard with us. Please feel free to send me an e-mail.

 ashley@travelmedusa.com

Written by

Ashley Deal