Purpose
Community Standards for criminal background checks were developed in conjunction with the CLS Advisory Committee to meet clinical agency compliance with Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations (JCAHO) standards pertaining to human resource management. JCAHO requires verification of competency of all individuals who have direct contact with patients or employees; this includes students attending clinical rotations in the facility. Competency extends beyond technical skills to an individual's criminal history.

Implementation
Effective Fall 2005 semester, criminal background checks for all currently enrolled and newly admitted students will be implemented. Successful completion of a criminal background check is required for continuation in the Clinical Laboratory Science Program and placement in clinical rotations. Students will be given specific directions from the program about how to obtain the background check.

Background checks will be honored for the duration of the student's enrollment in the clinical program if the participating student has not had a break in enrollment at Texas State. A break in enrollment is defined as nonattendance of one full semester or more.
1. Registered sex offenders.
2. Health and Human Services – Office of Inspector General list of excluded individuals, U.S. General Services Administration excluded parties list, Employee Misconduct Registry, U.S. Treasury - Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) List of Specially Designated Nationals (SDN), Texas Health and Human Services Commission, excluded providers in Medicaid and Title XX provider exclusion data.
3. Felony convictions.
4. Felony deferred adjudications involving crimes against persons (physical or sexual abuse).