Pre-Employment Background Investigation

A pre-employment background investigation will be performed on individuals in the final stages of recruitment to UAB.  This policy applies to all faculty and staff in the following assignment categories: Full-time Regular, Part-time Regular; Full time Temporary, Irregular, Credentialed Credit Course Instructors, Volunteer Faculty and Postdoctoral Fellows and Trainees.  Due to the nature of faculty appointments, the background investigation will be completed prior to final approval of employment. 

The standard investigation includes a criminal background check, degree (education) verification, prior employment verification, and a driver's license and driving record verification (if the employee will be driving a state vehicle). Office of Inspector General (OIG) and General Services Administration (GSA) checks are also conducted on all new hires at UAB.*

If the routine pre-employment check reveals a criminal conviction, further investigation will be done to determine the nature of the offense, after which a  determination will be made as to the eligibility of the candidate for employment at UAB.

A background investigation report may or may not result in failure to extend a job offer to a final candidate or final approval of employment.  If a report indicates that a candidate has omitted information or provided false information on the background consent form, they will be ineligible for hire.

Post-Employment Background Investigation

In order to verify qualifications and other relevant information, a background investigation may be conducted on existing staff who become final candidates for a transfer or promotion, as well as former or retired University employees with a break in service.  This policy supersedes any previous background check policy.

Background investigation results will be used to determine the qualifications and suitability for employment in the specific position or situation, and will not be used to discriminate on any basis protected by applicable law.  The University reserves the right to conduct background investigations on any employee at any time.

UAB Hospital 113.A

In compliance with The Joint Commission, the pre-employment background investigation on candidates being considered for employment at UAB Medicine includes the following: criminal background, licensure and/or registration, education, and work experience.  OIG and GSA checks are also conducted on all new hires at UAB Medicine.  However, based on market demand, an offer may be made contingent upon satisfactory completion of the background investigation.  Any offer made prior to the completion of the background investigation should be made contingent upon the result of the investigation and this fact should be made clear to the applicant.

*As a recipient of Federal contracts and grants, UAB is required to conduct an OIG/GSA background check on all employees. The OIG/GSA check is used to identify individuals excluded or sanctioned from participating in Medicare, Medicaid or other federally funded programs.

Date Issued: 10/80