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Policy No.: 1010
Effective Date: 08/01/08
Revised Date: 09/27/13
Reviewed Date: 09/27/13

Background Check Policy

Purpose

1.1 Background checks serve as an important part of the selection process at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC). Background checks provide additional applicant related information that helps determine the applicant's overall employability, ensuring the protection of the people, property, and information of UNMC.

Scope

2.1 The UNMC Background Check Policy is applicable to all UNMC positions.

Basis of the Policy

3.1 Federal/state law, Faculty Personnel Records Policy 6075 and administrative practices within UNMC.

Authorities and Administration

4.1 Human Resources, Staffing/Compensation/Records/IT, is responsible for all aspects of the background check process for employees.

Policy

5.1 Statement of General Policy

All applicants being hired into a regular or temporary position at UNMC are required to successfully complete a pre-employment background check prior to starting work. A background check is only completed after an applicant has accepted the conditional offer of employment. Current UNMC students and those admitted into the UNMC-sponsored Summer Undergraduate Research Program are exempted from the policy.

If a current UNMC regular or temporary employee transfers to a new position, a background check is required only if any of the below applies:

• The position requires physical access to and/or in person contact with patients, children under the age of 18 and/or vulnerable adults.
• The position requires regular cashiering responsibilities, and/or that the position has been deemed to have a high level of access to university accounts.
• The position is responsible for monitoring, administering and/or requires unescorted access to irradiators (a device containing radioactive material), excluding diagnostic x-ray.
• The position is responsible for information technology with access to systems, resources, physical hardware and infrastructure that is not accessible by the general workforce.

Unless otherwise required by law, if an individual is rehired into a regular or temporary position and has undergone a background check within the past year, a new check does not need to be completed. The results of the previously performed check will be considered in any pending employment decision.

If a staff and/or academic hire is dually employed with UNMC and UNMC-Physicians, UNMC-P will process the background check and notify UNMC Human Resources accordingly.

In addition, a background check must be completed on Non-Faculty Volunteers and Guests. Business Services oversees the Non-Faculty Volunteers and Guests acceptance process. For additional information, contact Business Services at 402-559-5200. For Faculty Volunteers a background check is not required.

5.2 Components of Check

UNMC will utilize a third party agency to conduct the background check. The type of information that can be collected by this agency includes, but is not limited to, that pertaining to an individual’s past employment, education, character, finances, reputation, criminal and credit history.

5.3 Compliance

Background checks will be performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act. This information will not be used as a basis for denying employment unless the information indicates the applicant is not suitable for the position.

5.4 Evaluation of Background Checks

A criminal conviction does not automatically disqualify an applicant from consideration for employment with UNMC. The following items will be considered when evaluating the conviction:

• Nature and gravity of the criminal offense
  
• Nature of the duties and responsibilities of the position
  
• Pattern of other related criminal convictions
  
• Age of the applicant when the criminal offense occurred
  
• Time since the criminal conviction and/or completion of the sentence
  
• The applicant’s record of performance and behavior on other jobs

If the criminal history check reveals criminal convictions which the applicant failed to disclose on the application, the offer of employment will normally be withdrawn, unless the individual shows that the report is in error.

5.5 Recordkeeping

All information obtained from the background check process will only be used as part of the employment process and will be kept confidential.

Equal Employment Opportunity

6.1 The University of Nebraska Medical Center declares and affirms a policy of equal educational and employment opportunities, affirmative action in employment, and nondiscrimination in providing its services to the public. Therefore, the University of Nebraska Medical Center shall not discriminate against anyone based on race, age, color, disability, religion, sex, national or ethnic origin, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation, political affiliation, Vietnam-era veteran status, or special disabled Veteran status. Sexual harassment in any form, including hostile environment and quid pro quo, is prohibited.

Additional Information

• Questions regarding this policy should be directed to Human Resources, Staffing/Compensation/Records/IT at 402/559-2710 during regular business hours
• Contact Business Services at 402-559-5200 for guidance on non-faculty volunteers and guests
• Employment Procedure
• Background Check Procedures

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