PsyD Background Checks

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[AcronymAllergy]

I attended a Ph.D. program, but don't think I ever had a background check run for any of my practica sites. Might vary by state and by program, though.

 

[KillerDiller]

I did a practicum at the V.A. that required a complete background check and fingerprinting. I also live in a state that requires a criminal background check for any child site, so child-focused students had to complete one of those each year. I think I had to complete another one before starting internship at a UCC.

 

[CheetahGirl]

I did an externship for a SAMSA & State funded community mental health site in my first year, and now an internship at a VA in my final year. The externship required a full criminal background check, physical plus fingerprinting; the VA will require physical and fingerprinting (plus they want proof of citizenship b/c I was born overseas). Both sites take PsyD & PhD candidates.

 

[OneNeuroDoctor]

Most psychology licensing boards require background checks and fingerprinting as well as most employers. I did two private practice practicum that did not require a background check or finger printing but I was already LPA licensed and although I was not paid, I was eligible for third party reimbursement of services.


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[erg923]

All psychology licensing boards require background checks and fingerprinting as well as most all employees.


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This is not accurate.

 

[erg923]

Not all psychology licensing boards require fingerprinting (mine does not). I also don't think most employers require fingerprinting, though the majority at hospitals and universities likely require background checks. The only place I've ever had to do fingerprinting was at the VA. All other practicums, etc were background check only.

While most, if not all state psych boards ask about criminal histories, the resources for background checks and/fingerprinting does not exist.

Most of my practica during grad school actually did require background checks. VA was the only one with fingerprints though.

 

[erg923]

Not the case in the two states I am licensed in (which are right next to each other). How common is that?

 

[WisNeuro]

I did not have a background check/fingerprinting for my license. I did, however, have fingerprinting and background checks for a practicum at an AMC and obviously with the VA system that I am in now.

 

[OneNeuroDoctor]

All of the States I have lived in require fingerprinting. In Texas several years back all psychologists had to have fingerprinting completed and some ended up having issues that were divulged from fingerprinting and these had to be addressed with the Board.


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[WisNeuro]

Just remember that that may be a limited sample size. For example, 3 of the states that I have lived in did not require fingerprinting, in addition to the state that I am licensed in but have never lived.

 

[smalltownpsych]

I guess the answer is it varies from state to state and job to job and practicum to practicum.

I had a practicum at a sheriffs station that required me to list every illicit drug that I had ever used, the amount and frequency, and dates of use. Along with an extensive background investigation, of course.

 

[erg923]

I had a practicum at a sheriffs station that required me to list every illicit drug that I had ever used, the amount and frequency, and dates of use. Along with an extensive background investigation, of course.

Ah, dude. For that I just would have said "see movie Dazed and Confused" to save them time.

 

[OneNeuroDoctor]

Background checks, pass the eye test, sniff test, ect.... Does it ever end?


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[smalltownpsych]

Ah, dude. For that I just would have said "see movie Dazed and Confused" to save them time.

No kidding. I asked them if I should just continue on the back or use extra pages! They ended up just delaying the whole process until I finished my practicum without ever getting official approval or clearance. It was easy enough for them to do since they were always behind on paperwork anyway.

 

[463951]

I have had background checks & fingerprinting at two of my practicum sites. However, for my internship, I will need to go in and do both of these things, as well as a drug test. I will test positive because of prescription medications. How do I handle this? Do I let HR know I will test positive (and for what) before the drug test or after? Should I bring in a copy of my prescriptions?

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

On the form for the urinalysis there will be a section to fill in your prescriptions. That should square any issues.

*edit*

You may need to show proof of Rx to someone, though I'm not sure how much if varies by state. I believe I had to do this both times I applied for hospital credentials, but it has been a couple of years since my last time so I'm not 100% certain. You can call up HR and ask how to handle this, as I'm sure they answer this question pretty frequently.

 

[AcronymAllergy]

So do all practicum sites require finger prints and background checks?

Short answer: no. Some will, some won't.

 

[463951]

On the form for the urinalysis there will be a section to fill in your prescriptions. That should square any issues.

*edit*

You may need to show proof of Rx to someone, though I'm not sure how much if varies by state. I believe I had to do this both times I applied for hospital credentials, but it has been a couple of years since my last time so I'm not 100% certain. You can call up HR and ask how to handle this, as I'm sure they answer this question pretty frequently.

Thanks T4C! I actually forgot I was drug tested at one of my previous practicum sites, because nothing ever came of it. They did a cheek swab. I started to say, "I will test positive..." but the HR person said, "you don't need to tell me, if you test positive, somebody will be calling you, and you can show documentation then." But nobody ever called. Why, I don't know. So with a urinalysis, it will come with a section for me to fill in my Rx?

And providing a copy of my Rx will be no problem.

 

[Therapist4Chnge]

So do all practicum sites require finger prints and background checks?

It really depends on the population and setting. I was finger-printed and drug tested at all of mine, but I worked with children and then in a medical setting, so I expected it. FWIW...I was never tested again after the initial screening, as this seems to only happen if there is a concern, though I believe as part of my agreement I had to consent to being tested again.

So with a urinalysis, it will come with a section for me to fill in my Rx?

It should. All of the forms I've seen (as the pt and also as a provider) have a section for the person to fill in current prescriptions.