Healthcare and Hospital Industry
The healthcare sector spans numerous roles—from nurses in residential care facilities to physicians in acute hospital settings—and it's projected to grow by 13% between 2021 and 2031. With such growth comes great responsibility: healthcare is a highly safety-sensitive field where patients' well-being is directly entrusted to staff.
Employers in healthcare must vet job candidates thoroughly. Many state and federal regulations require healthcare background checks and drug testing for new hires. These screening practices help ensure that only qualified, trustworthy professionals are brought on board, maintaining patient safety and regulatory compliance across the industry.
For healthcare employers, navigating these screening requirements can be complex. Health Street simplifies the process by providing a robust array of background checks and drug testing, available through our intuitive web app. Employers can register for services online or by phone in just minutes.
Protect your patients and staff. Call (888) 378-2499 or register online to schedule healthcare background checks and testing.
Common Choices for Drug Testing for Healthcare Professionals
In healthcare, urine drug testing is a common and cost-effective method used to screen for a variety of controlled substances. One of the most popular options is a 5-panel test, which screens for:
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Marijuana
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Cocaine
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Opiates (heroin, morphine, codeine)
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Phencyclidine (PCP)
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Amphetamines (including methamphetamine)
For more comprehensive screening, healthcare employers can opt for higher-panel drug tests, which also detect opioids like OxyContin and fentanyl, as well as substances like MDMA and ecstasy. Additionally, urine alcohol testing can be used to identify alcohol consumption in the past 70–80 hours, especially after workplace incidents.
Why Drug Testing is Crucial in Healthcare
A surprising 14% of physicians have admitted to consuming alcohol or controlled substances while attending to patients. Without drug testing, healthcare employers risk compromising care quality and exposing themselves to legal liabilities.
Most healthcare employers use pre-employment screenings to identify substance abuse before hiring. Random drug tests and post-incident testing further help to ensure a safe, drug-free workplace, reduce risks of workplace accidents, and comply with industry regulations.
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Healthcare Background Check Requirements
On a state level, healthcare industry employers may be required to comply with various healthcare background check regulations established by state medical board officials and/or their specific organizations. To avoid any compliance or safety concerns, it's important for employers to first consult with their local organization and state medical board to understand what background screening processes are expected when hiring new staff.
On a federal level, Section 6201 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act established a nationwide background screening program in regard to long-term care employees who have direct patient access in:
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nursing facilities
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home health agencies
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hospice settings
This program has 25 participating states and now requires long-term healthcare employers to conduct pre-employment background checks and monitor criminal reports after hiring.
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Healthcare Worker Employee Health Requirements
Healthcare employers are obligated to comply with various health screening and immunization requirements as mandated by federal and state regulations. Key components of these requirements and recommendations include:
Tuberculosis (TB) Screening and Testing
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all U.S. healthcare personnel undergo baseline TB screening upon hire. This includes a risk assessment, symptom evaluation, and TB testing (either a TB blood test or a tuberculin skin test) for individuals without prior documentation of TB disease or latent TB infection.
Immunizations
Employers should ensure that staff are immunized in accordance with CDC guidelines and state or federal regulations. Some examples can include:
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OSHA Standard 29 CFR § 1910.1030 – Bloodborne Pathogens: Mandates that employers protect workers from diseases like hepatitis B by offering free vaccines, safety training, and proper protective equipment when there's a risk of exposure to blood or other infectious materials.
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Measles, Mumps, Rubella (MMR), Varicella (Chickenpox), and Pertussis: Proof of immunity or vaccination is often required to prevent outbreaks within healthcare settings.
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Influenza: Annual influenza vaccination is recommended for all healthcare personnel to reduce the risk of flu transmission.
Respiratory Protection and Fit Testing
For tasks requiring respiratory protection, such as caring for patients with airborne infectious diseases, OSHA's Respiratory Protection Standard (29 CFR 1910.134) requires that employees undergo a medical evaluation to determine their ability to use a respirator. Following medical clearance, fit testing must be performed to ensure an adequate seal and proper protection.
Medical and Physical Evaluations
Certain positions may necessitate pre-employment and periodic medical evaluations to assess an employee's physical and mental ability to perform job duties safely.
Occupational Health Services
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do hospitals drug test employees?
Yes, most hospitals do drug test employees to ensure the safety of patients and staff. Drug testing is a critical part of maintaining a drug-free workplace, as healthcare professionals are required to be alert and competent at all times. Hospitals typically conduct pre-employment drug screenings to ensure new hires are free from illicit substances, and many also implement random drug tests throughout employment to discourage substance abuse. In addition, post-incident drug testing may be required if there is suspicion of impairment following a workplace accident.
Do hospitals do hair drug tests?
Hospitals typically do not use hair drug tests for employment screening. The most common method is urine testing due to its cost-effectiveness and ability to detect recent drug use.
What type of drug test do hospitals use for employment?
Urine drug tests are commonly used for hospital pre-employment drug tests. These tests often screen for substances such as amphetamines, THC (marijuana), cocaine, opiates (e.g., heroin, codeine, morphine), and PCP.
How do hospitals drug test for employment?
For employment purposes, hospitals—and any company in the healthcare industry—typically require candidates to provide a urine sample, which is then analyzed for specific substances. This process is usually part of the pre-employment screening and is conducted after a conditional job offer has been made.
When do healthcare employers conduct drug tests on staff?
Healthcare employers typically conduct drug tests at key points in employment, starting with pre-employment drug screenings to ensure new hires are substance-free. After hire, many hospitals and medical facilities implement random drug tests as part of their drug-free workplace policy. Additionally, post-incident or reasonable suspicion drug tests are used when there are concerns about impairment, such as after a workplace accident or medication error.
What does a healthcare background check include?
A typical healthcare background screening verifies the candidate's identity, checks criminal history, and confirms qualifications. This can include tracing the candidate's Social Security Number, checking national criminal databases, sex offender registries, etc. Additionally, credential verification (such as medical degrees or nursing licenses) and employment references can be checked. Many employers choose to work with healthcare background check companies to make the process smoother and more consistent.
Why are background checks important for healthcare providers?
Background checks are crucial in healthcare because they help verify that prospective employees do not have histories that could endanger patients or the organization. With lives on the line, employers need to identify any past criminal behavior or red flags before hiring someone.
For example, a federal review of nursing aides found that out of 1,611 employees who had complaints of abuse or neglect, 341 had prior criminal records of similar offenses, issues only uncovered through background healthcare screenings. Without conducting healthcare background checks, employers might unknowingly hire individuals who pose a risk to patients' safety, staff, or the facility's reputation.
What disqualifies you from working in healthcare for background checks?
Several factors can disqualify you from working in healthcare based on a background check, some of which may include:
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Criminal convictions: Felony convictions, especially for crimes related to abuse, theft, or drug offenses, can disqualify a candidate.
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Violations of healthcare regulations: A history of violating healthcare laws, such as falsifying medical records or engaging in fraud, may disqualify you.
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Substance abuse: A history of drug or alcohol abuse that is not adequately treated may impact eligibility for healthcare roles, especially those that involve patient care.
Exclusion from federal programs: Being excluded from Medicare or Medicaid programs by federal or state agencies is another common disqualifier.
Why Health Street
With over a decade of experience, Health Street provides a smooth, reliable process, ensuring fast results and compliance every time. Choose us for a proven, hassle-free screening experience.
Choosing a competitor can mean dealing with unnecessary challenges, such as:
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Slow Turnaround: Many providers delay results, affecting hiring and patient care.
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Limited Testing Options: Health Street offers a huge range of comprehensive drug testing, while others may fall short.
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Inaccurate Reports: Inconsistent results from competitors can lead to hiring mistakes.
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Limited Coverage: With more than 10,000 locations, Health Street has fast, convenient, nationwide testing.
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Poor Support: Health Street offers responsive customer service.
Lack of Control & Flexibility: Health Street's proprietary GLASS app gives us full control to adjust, improve, and secure your data quickly. Competitors often rely on third parties, resulting in slower updates and little control over data security.
Citations
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Adams, K. (2022, August 18). Report: 14% of physicians drinking, using controlled substances on the job. MedCity News. https://medcitynews.com/2022/08/report-14-of-physicians-drinking-using-controlled-substances-on-the-job/
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Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2023, December 15). Clinical Testing Guidance for Tuberculosis: Health Care Personnel. https://www.cdc.gov/tb-healthcare-settings/hcp/screening-testing/index.html
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Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (n.d.). Bloodborne pathogens (Standard No. 1910.1030). U.S. Department of Labor. https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.1030
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Occupational Safety and Health Administration. (n.d.). Respiratory protection (Standard No. 1910.134). U.S. Department of Labor. https://www.osha.gov/laws-regs/regulations/standardnumber/1910/1910.134
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U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (n.d.). Healthcare practitioners and technical occupations [Fact sheet]. https://www.bls.gov/ors/factsheet/pdf/healthcare-practitioners-and-technical-occupations.pdf
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U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (n.d.). Healthcare support occupations [Fact sheet]. https://www.bls.gov/ors/factsheet/pdf/healthcare-support-occupations.pdf
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U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office of Inspector General. (2010, March 23). Criminal convictions for nurse aides with substantiated findings of abuse, neglect, and misappropriation. https://oig.hhs.gov/oei/reports/oei-07-10-00422.pdf
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U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office of Inspector General. (2010, March 23). Nationwide program for national and state background checks for long-term-care employees: Results of long-term-care provider administrator survey. https://oig.hhs.gov/oei/reports/oei-07-10-00421.pdf