Background Check Programs For Long-Term Care Job Applicants
UPI.com reports that the U.S. government has given money for six states to develop programs for criminal background checks for people that want to apply for positions as long-term care providers. Department of Health and Human Services secretary Kathleen Sebelius has stated that the Affordable Care Act will include the National Background Check Program, which will provide the ability to determine a person’s qualifications regarding prior criminal charges.
Any person that has a criminal history will automatically be disqualified for the position. According to the report, Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida Missouri and Rhode Island are the six states currently funded to develop this program. 11 more states may be included in the future as early as November. The total amount the U.S. government will spend will be $160 million to allow all 50 states to develop this program in nursing home care facilities.
Creating a program that would disqualify certain people from becoming elder care personnel would prevent intentional abuse or neglect, especially those that have multiple convictions for elder abuse. Although this does not account for accidents where elder individuals may be hurt, this program seems to be a major step in preventing elder abuse or neglect.
