Temporary Background Check Procedures
The Mississippi Hospital Association has requested the Mississippi Department of Health issue special procedures addressing criminal background checks for healthcare workers who have been displaced by Hurricane Katrina and may be seeking temporary or permanent employment with hospitals in Mississippi. Because these workers may not have access to their Suitability for Employment letter which would have been issued by their employer, hospitals employing these individuals on a temporary or permanent basis would normally be required to run criminal background/fingerprint checks on these individuals.
The Mississippi Department of Health has issued temporary procedures to address this situation for displaced healthcare workers only. From September 12 through December 31, 2005, hospitals who employ displaced healthcare workers should follow these procedures:
- Submit the healthcare worker’s name, social security number and the name of the hospital who originally submitted the Criminal Background Record Check via fax to Dina Russell or Barbara Nicholson at (601) 576-8079.
- MDH will assess the data system and return a copy of the original notification letter via fax to the prospective employer reflecting the date background check was processed and that no criminal records were found.
- The prospective employer should issue the Suitability for Employment letter reflecting the original date of the background check.
- Should an assessment of the system indicate the employee had a RAP sheet (criminal record), the prospective employer must resubmit fingerprints on the employee in question and follow that facility’s standard procedures for determination of a waiver for employment.
If you have any questions regarding this temporary procedure, please call Vicky Maddox at the Mississippi Department of Health, 601-576-8064, or Julie McNeese at MHA, 601-368-3311.
