Employment Background Checks for Live-In Caregivers
It is always a good idea to get a background check on individuals you plan to hire to take care of your elderly family member. Services such as Lexis-Nexis and Intelius provide criminal background checks for a minimal fee. Care.com provides a free background check once you describe to its service. Intelius is much more comprehensive than Lexis-Nexis which is why the private investigators use them. Some records such a traffic violations can also be found displayed as public record.
Many debate that employment background checks and finger printing are not sufficiently complete and often go to the extent of hiring a private investigator since licensed private investigators are granted access to more databases than you can't gain access to. Along with checking the validity of the social security number, look for arrest records and convictions in all fifty states. Other red flags are divorces, name changes, and other court records. Most of the time all this can be completed in a day for less than $100.
Another good strategy is to look through past credit reports. Finally, one of the most important things one can do is ask for a list of references and actually call them up. It is helpful to have a list of questions handy to ask previous employers. Make sure they are behavioral interview questions about that person and questions related to issues in integrity. You may also want to ask about instances of tardiness and excessive time taken off from work
In most instances, an FBI background check will not be allowed without any proof of transgressions. The best options are to call references, hire a private investigator if money is not an issue, verify social security numbers, and require your caregiver to submit their own background check.
For home health care aides that you plan to hire for the long term it is especially important to get an employment background check.
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