In the healthcare industry, safety and compliance are of paramount importance. This often means that background checks on employees and contractors are conducted. LiveScan fingerprinting, which is used to check criminal records in the healthcare industry, is a popular method. This ensures that only trustworthy and qualified personnel can work with patients. You might be wondering how long it will take to receive the results of a LiveScan background screening if you are applying for a healthcare job. What you need to understand.
Importance of LiveScan in Healthcare
LiveScan is a process of electronic fingerprinting that takes fingerprints and sends them electronically to state and federal agencies such as the Department of Justice and the Federal Bureau of Investigation. This process is crucial for healthcare professionals because it flags individuals who have criminal histories that may compromise patient safety before they are hired.
Average Processing Time
The length of time it takes for LiveScan results to be received in the healthcare sector can depend on a number of factors. These include the role you are applying for, your state, and the agencies that conduct the background check.
- State Level Checks (DOJ ): In many states the Department of Justice is responsible for processing LiveScan Results. The DOJ typically processes background checks for healthcare positions within 48-72 hours. This process may take longer during busy times or when there are problems with the quality of fingerprints.
- Federal Level Checks (FBI ): In certain cases, especially for roles that have higher levels of responsibility, or access to sensitive data, fingerprints may also be sent to the FBI to undergo additional screening. These checks are usually processed by the FBI within 3 to five business days. The processing time may be extended if the volume of requests is high or if an in-depth investigation is needed.
Factors that Can Affect the Processing Time
Many factors, particularly in the healthcare sector, can affect the speed of LiveScan results being returned.
- Volume Requested: Healthcare facilities conduct background checks on many employees at once, which can cause processing delays.
- Fingerprint quality: If fingerprints are not of good quality, the results may be delayed.
- Additional screening requirements: Certain healthcare positions require additional screenings such as checking child abuse registries, or other specialized databases. This can prolong the timeframe.
- Regulatory Compliance: The healthcare industry is heavily regulated. Some roles require more thorough background checks which can lead to longer processing time.
What to Expect
It’s a good idea to prepare for possible delays. While the turnaround time for LiveScan in the healthcare sector is typically 48-72 hours for DOJ and FBI are 3- 5 days, it’s advisable to plan. It’s important to submit your fingerprints early if you need to do a LiveScan for your healthcare job. This will help avoid delays.
LiveScan results in the healthcare sector are usually processed within a couple of days. However, several factors can affect this timeline. Allowing enough time to allow for delays and understanding the process will ensure that you have a smooth transition. These checks are vital for the safety of patients and compliance with regulatory requirements. Accurate and timely results are essential.
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