Criminal Background Check
Policy Overview
Criminal background checks were instituted by The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center School of Health Professions to meet clinical agency compliance with the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) standards pertaining to human resource management.
JCAHO requires verification of competency of all individuals who have direct contact with patients or employees. This includes students doing clinical rotations in the facility and/or off-site facilities. Competency extends beyond technical skills to an individual’s criminal history.
A student is defined as a person who:
- Is enrolled at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, or
- Is accepted for admission or readmission at M. D. Anderson Cancer Center
Implementation
Criminal background checks for all newly admitted students will be implemented, effective in the Fall of 2006. Successful completion of a criminal background check is required for admission to all the School of Health Professions Programs.
Criminal Background Check
You may fill out an online form to request a criminal background check.
The following histories will disqualify an individual from consideration for a clinical rotation:
- Registered sex offenders
- Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General list of excluded individuals, General Services Administration excluded parties list, Employee Misconduct Registry, U.S. Treasury – Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) List of Specially Designed Nationals (SDN)
- Felony conviction
- Felony deferred adjudication involving crimes against persons (physical or sexual abuse)
Disclaimers
- Successful completion of a criminal background check for a School of Health Professions Program does not ensure eligibility for licensure or future employment.
- If they so desire, clinical agencies can establish more stringent standards to meet the regulatory requirements for their facilities.
- Clinical agencies can conduct additional background checks at their discretion.
Allocation of Cost
The cost of the criminal background check will be the responsibility of the student.