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JRCERT Update

Background Checks and Drug Screenings for Radiologic Science Students

screenings, individuals who might not be qualified to 2. Criminal background checks – requirements. The Joint
work in the health care environment can be identi- Commission website. https://www.jointcommission.org
fied. When implementing the use of such clearances, /standards_information/jcfaqdetails.aspx?StandardsFaqId
transparency in the application and clinical place- =1592&ProgramId=46). Accessed March 15, 2018.
ment processes, through established and published 3. ARRT standards of ethics, 2017. American Registry of
policies, is vital. Providing prospective and enrolled Radiologic Technologists website. https://www.arrt.org
/docs/default-source/Governing-Documents/arrt-stan
students with information about how clearances will dards-of-ethics.pdf?sfvrsn=12. Published September 1, 2017.
be obtained, who is responsible for the cost, and what Accessed March 15, 2018.
is done with the resulting information also is impor- 4. American Registry of Radiologic Technologists. 2018 pri-
tant. Implementation of clearance processes can help mary discipline handbook. https://www.arrt.org
preserve the professional integrity of the radiologic /docs/default-source/handbooks/arrt-2018-primary-hand
technology profession. book.pdf?sfvrsn=12. Accessed March 15, 2018.
It is best practice to search state and federal records to 5. Hickox SA, Roehling MV. Negative credentials: fair and
obtain a comprehensive report of an individual’s crimi- effective consideration of criminal records. Am Bus Law J.
nal record because laws vary from state to state, and the 2013;50(2):201-279. doi:10.1111/ablj.12009.
ability to share criminal records across state lines might 6. Porter M. Consider issues tied to criminal background
be restricted. It is the duty of health care providers to checks in admissions process. Enroll Manag Rep.
2018;21(11):1-4. doi:10.1002/emt.30381.
protect all patients. Rather than passive protection, the
proactive process of requiring program applicants to sub-
mit to criminal background checks and drug screening
clearances might prevent individuals who could endanger
patients from gaining admission into radiologic science
programs. Finally, the implementation of a clearance pro-
cess will help to preserve the professional integrity of the
radiologic technology profession.

Loraine D Zelna, MS, R.T.(R)(MR), is faculty member
and former chairperson in the Medical Imaging Department
for Misericordia University in Dallas, Pennsylvania. She also
is a member of the JRCERT board of directors.
Julia Works, JD, is an associate attorney for Atkinson
& Atkinson LLC, who works in the area of regulatory law,
including accreditation and education. She received her
law degree from the University of Connecticut and a BA
in communications from the University of Pennsylvania in
Philadelphia. Works is licensed to practice law in Illinois,
Texas, and Arkansas.
References
1. Background checks and drug screenings. The Joint Review
Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology website.
https://wordpress-1182231-4152295.cloudwaysapps.com/programs-faculty/program-resources
/background-checks-drug-screenings/. Accessed March 15,
2018.

526 RADIOLOGIC TECHNOLOGY, May/June 2018, Volume 89, Number 5
Reprinted with permission from the American Society of Radiologic Technologists for educational purposes. ©2019. All rights reserved.