An interesting editorial in the St. Petersburg Times wisely advocates background checks for caregivers in Florida. The editorial cites, among other things, the vast amount of transients who come to Florida. Many of these transients end up working in the healthcare industry. Some have serious criminal record. Some are listed on the sexual offender’s registry.
The editor notes a six month study conducted by the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. The fact that this newspaper conducted this sort of study, by the way, is but one more justification for the survival of newspapers. The study claims that literally thousand of ex-felons are working in healthcare. While the study demonstrates that nearly four out of five caregivers are law abiding and free of criminal records, there are a number who have been convicted of theft and sex crimes, some of which are violent.
The study gives the opinion that nationwide criminal background records should be conducted on all job applicants in the healthcare industry, but cautions that the threshold should not be so stringent that the reformed criminals should be denied work and a new start in life.
As we always say, check them out before you hire.
One reply on “Ongoing Need for Background Checks for Florida Caregivers”
[…] on its caregivers. I have written about this matter before, including one article entitled, Ongoing Need for Background Checks for Florida Caregivers. This new law results from a review ordered by Governor Crist where select state agencies […]