Administrative Policies

KCTCS Criminal Background Check Policy for Allied Health and Nursing Students

Policy Number: 6.9

Current Effective Date: 08/23/2024

Original Effective Date: 10/15/2008

Revision Dates: 10/15/2008, 08/23/2024

Revision Number: 1

Revision Summary: updated to reflect practice for medicinal cannabis legal standards

Responsible Official: Provost; Vice President of Academics and Student Services

References:

1. Purpose

This Policy establishes the requirement for conducting criminal background checks (CBCs) and drug screenings for students seeking admission to and progression through programs and courses involving clinical placements.

2. Scope

This Policy applies to all students in KCTCS programs in which students provide direct delivery of patient or client care services at affiliated agencies as part of the learning experience, if required by such affiliated agencies.

3. Policy

KCTCS does not require criminal background checks of its students, but in order to comply with state and/or federal laws, requirements of accrediting bodies, or as a precondition to assignment to or placement with any affiliating agency, colleges may establish policies (with legal review) necessary to comply with clinical agencies’ criminal background check policies. Specifications for required background checks may be established by the college.

Acceptance of a student for placement in a facility will be according to law (if applicable) or at the affiliate agency’s discretion. If an agency’s policy prevents a student from being placed in the facility, or if the student fails to submit to a criminal background screen, the student will not be able to complete the clinical/practicum experience and may be given the choice of failing the course or withdrawing. KCTCS cannot guarantee a student who is a medicinal cannabis cardholder and/or who tests positively for cannabis through the requisite background check and drug screening will be able to complete the clinical/practicum experience.

Should the agency/affiliate not require a specific vendor, the college will provide students with the name of a vendor or a list of available vendors for the purchase of the required criminal background check. Students will be responsible for the cost of any required background checks.

4. Procedure

Administrative Procedure 6.9-P implements this policy.