Get the information you need about healthcare volunteer background checks. Discover how to differentiate volunteer screening for your healthcare organization.

How are volunteer background checks different from employee screening?

Volunteer background checks are different from employee screening because they’re often narrower in scope. Because most lack formal medical training, they don’t typically require the same intensive checks that employees do. While not all states require volunteers to be screened, many do mandate checks on individuals working directly with patients. This framework can be confusing to follow, which is why we’re breaking it down in this article.

Key Takeaways

• Disqualifying findings often differ between volunteer roles.

• Exclusions and sanctions lists should be considered for monitoring.

• Student volunteer screening is often similar to clinical student vetting.

What background checks are commonly required for healthcare volunteers?

Background checks that are commonly required for healthcare volunteers often coincide with general healthcare screenings.

Past conventional healthcare background checks, additional checks may be necessary depending on role:

• Abuse registry checks assist in keeping patients, residents, or other vulnerable individuals safe.

• Motor vehicle reports aid in evaluating driving eligibility.

• Drug testing helps maintain a safe environment and a drug-free facility.

What happens if a volunteer has a criminal record?

If a volunteer has a criminal record, it’s up to the healthcare system to weigh the risks of onboarding them. Factors to consider include the type of offense committed, the length of time since conviction, evidence of rehabilitation, and the responsibilities of the volunteer’s role.

Role-based evaluations

Criminal history results should be highly scrutinized for positions involving direct care or access to sensitive information. Confirmed criminal history may indicate risks to participant safety, privacy, and organizational integrity.

Exclusions and sanctions lists

Volunteers who appear on one or more of the lists of excluded individuals should be considered for disqualification as volunteers. It’s recommended that these lists be searched monthly in many states to maintain licensure:

• Office of Inspector General’s (OIG) List of Excluded Individuals and Entities (LEIE)

• General Services Administration’s (GSA) System for Award Management (SAM)

• State Medicaid exclusion lists

Failure to disqualify individuals on these lists may result in fines, suspension or disbarment from federal healthcare programs, and reputational damage.

When should healthcare organizations rescreen volunteers?

Healthcare organizations should regularly rescreen volunteers through the OIG and GSA systems, including during role changes and when required by law. Because state and federal regulations heavily influence healthcare policies, compliance and risk management procedures should be built around them.

For more information about rescreening cadence in healthcare, read Healthcare Background Check Requirements by State >

How do healthcare organizations screen student volunteers?

Healthcare organizations often screen student volunteers similarly to clinical students. This typically involves criminal history and abuse registry checks on a recurring basis to meet state regulations. However, because student volunteers don’t need to clear an academic clinical placement process, they require fewer verifications and placement-specific compliance steps.