Are nursing homes required to perform a background check on employees?

In Washington, all nursing homes are required by law to perform background checks on all employees. This includes criminal background checks, as well as checks of the caregiver’s educational and professional qualifications. There are also specific criteria that must be met in order for an employee to be considered qualified and eligible to work in a nursing home. The Washington Administrative Code (WAC) states that nursing homes must check the following: whether the employee has been convicted of any crime that would be considered a threat to the health and safety of patients; the person’s educational and professional qualifications; any civil actions or complaints filed against the employee; any past disciplinary action taken against the employee in connection with their job; and any other information that may be required by the Department of Health. The purpose of these background checks is to ensure that all nursing home employees are qualified and able to provide quality care to their patients. These background checks are also used to help protect patients from potential abuse or neglect. Nursing home employees in Washington must meet these rigorous standards in order to maintain their employment.

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