Sunday, February 20, 2011

Persons Required to be Screened under AHCA guidelines

According to section 943.0525, F.S., the Criminal Justice Information Program will not allow Level II screenings unless there is statutory authority to do so. The following persons are required to undergo Level II screening in accordance with section 408.809, F.S.:
 Licensee if the licensee is an individual [Reference 408.809(1)(a)]
 Administrator or a similarly titled person who is responsible for the day-to-day operation of the provider. For example in a clinical laboratory, the Laboratory Director is the person designated with the day-to-day responsibilities of operation. [Reference 408.809(1)(b)]
 Financial officer or similarly titled individual who is responsible for the financial operation of the licensee or provider. [Reference 408.809(1)(c)]
 Controlling interests - defined as the applicant or licensee; a person or entity that serves as an officer of, is on the board of directors of, or has a 5-percent or greater ownership interest in the applicant or licensee; or a person or entity that serves as an officer of, is on the board of directors of, or has a 5-percent or greater ownership interest in the management company or other entity, related or unrelated, with which the applicant or licensee contracts to manage the provider are required to meet background screening standards of 435.04 and may be required to be screened if the agency has reason to believe the person has been convicted of a disqualifying offense. [Reference 408.809(1)(d)] . The term does not include a voluntary board member.
Provider personnel screening requirements are specified in the authorizing licensure statutes. The jobs and duties of persons who serve as employees or contractors must be evaluated independently to determine if they meet one of the definitions below. See Who is required to be screened for a chart indicating the provider type and the positions that require screening.
 Employees that are expected to provide direct care or services or have access to client property, funds or living areas. [Reference 408.809 (1)(e)]
 Contractors expected to provide personal care or personal services directly to clients. Evidence of contractor screening may be retained by the contractor’s employer or the licensees (provider). [408.809 (1)(e)]
 Other persons required under the authorizing statutes to be screening including the medical director and all health care practitioners for a licensed health care clinic (see chart for details).
 Volunteers for a mental health provider licensed under chapter 394, F.S. which includes Crisis Stabilization Units, Residential Treatment Facilities, and Residential Treatment Centers for Children and Adolescents, must undergo Level 2 screening unless they work less than 10 hours/month and are within the line of sight of an employee that has successfully completed a Level 2. [Reference: 394.4572]
 Volunteers for a hospice provider are considered employees of the hospice in accordance with Rule 58A-2.002(6) and therefore must undergo Level 2 screening if they will provide personal care or services directly to clients or have access to client funds, personal property or living areas.
 Students – Section 394.4572(1), Florida Statutes regarding screening of mental health personnel states that all program directors, professional clinicians, staff members, and volunteers working in public or private mental health programs and facilities who have direct contact with individuals held for examination or admitted for mental health treatment must undergo Level 2 screening in accordance with section 435.04 and section 408.809, F.S. with the exception of students who are interning in a mental health facility licensed under chapter 395, where the primary purpose of the facility is not the treatment of minors. These individuals are exempt from the screening requirements if they are under direct supervision in the actual physical presence of a licensed health care professional.
The Agency for Health Care Administration does not have statutory authority to screen students interning with a health care provider other than in the situation described above.
 Children under Age 18 - The law does not change based on the age of the employee/contractor. If a child under 18 years of age meets the definition of one of the positions above he/she must undergo the same screening as a person over age 18.
Find the complete list of persons required to have Level 2 clearance please visit http://www.myidentico.com/AHCA%20Pricelist.pdf

Florida DCF Background Screening

Dear, DCF Providers.
Beginning August 1, 2010 new law will require background screening of job applicants, employees and volunteers who come in contact with children, the developmentally disabled and vulnerable adults.
The most significant change in the law for DCF providers is that applicants will not be allowed to begin work in position of special trust and responsibility until they are cleared for employment by a complete background screening, to include a fingerprint-based search of criminal records in Florida and nationally.
In order to meet new requirement, DCF strongly recommends applicants to complete their background screen using Live-Scan technology as oppose to hard card submission. Live-Scan results can be received by DCF background screeners in as little as 24-48 hours. This is comparison to hard card fingerprint submission where results can take up-to 4-6 weeks.
Providers should follow the steps below to ensure they meet the requirements to use Live-Scan. Please contact your regional DCF background screening office to:
·         Ensure you have been provided the DCF’s Originating Agency Identifier – ORI
·         Ensure that Originating Agency Case Number – OCA had been assigned to you by DCF
·         Provide a valid email address to your local DCF Background Screening Office upon requesting a Live-Scan OCA. Email provided will be the email address the department screening unit will send automated “eligible” determination letters for applicants with cleared results.
The correct ORI and OCA numbers must be provided to the Live Scan vendor to ensure that results are routed to the DCF and requesting provider. For more information and with any questions please feel free to contact IDENTICO- your Live-Scan vendor. We serve AHCA, DCF,APD,DMV,VECHS providers in Treasure Coast, Palm Beach, Broward and Miami counties.   Call today (954) 239-8590 or visit us online www.myidentico.com . No appointments needed, walk-ins are welcome, mobile unit can come to your location. All payments are accepted.

409 W.Hallandale Beach Blvd, suite 206, Hallandale Beach, FL, 33009.

Friday, January 14, 2011

New Florida Regulations for Background Screening

Hi, Everyone.

Have you heard about changes in the Florida law, passed during the 2010 legislative session? Tallahassee legislators significantly modified the background screening and hiring process for many service providers regulated by some state agencies. AHCA is one of those agencies. DCF, APD, DBPR and others is requiring fingerprints too now.

I know that many of you have been having a hard time with this new law, since there are not so many professional vendors who actually know the right way to submit prints to FDLE and FBI, and those who know have many hour wait lines or appointments need to be scheduled weeks ahead. I would like to hear your opinions on any issues arising during fingerprinting in South Florida .

Our main business is all type of pre-employment background checks, including Live-Scan and regular Pre-Employment screening. Feel free to visit our page http://www.myidentico.com/ for more info or simply call (954) 239-8590 so we can speak more on the fingerprint job which needs to be done.