We follow policy A. We used to have student's do them at their cost and submit them to us and then found out that agencies were redoing Background checks on them anyway and also had additional requirements regarding health screenings/drug testing/required immunizations/ TB testing etc. This year I had two agencies that also checked driving record and credit score. The latter being somewhat intrusive I felt. I also had a student turned down because of something a potential placement found on Facebook and the post was from 2018 ! I also found checking out social media an invasion of privacy. The following statement is distributed with our application for Field materials.
Field Setting Pre-requisite Requirements
Most Field Settings require Criminal Background checks and have additional requirements or pre-requisites such as; references, required training, physical exams, medical tests, specific immunizations, drug screening or other requirements particular to the work the student or a social worker may be expected to do. Students are required to comply with individual Field setting requirements prior to the beginning of a Field placement and are responsible for any associated costs in completing the requirements if not covered by the Field setting.
All students need to pay particular attention to the following: Students with circumstances in their backgrounds that may emerge during Criminal Background checks need to discuss the potential implications of these circumstances with the Field Education Office during their interview for a placement. Students who have a criminal background should understand some agencies are precluded by law or Field setting policy from accepting them for a Field placement. Additionally, some agencies are unwilling to supervise students with certain criminal charges. The effect of a positive report will vary according the Field setting policies and explanations of individual circumstances.
The Field Education Department makes every possible effort to secure a Field placement for students, however if this cannot be accomplished due to criminal charges, the student may not be able to complete the degree program. Students need to be further aware that even if they are successful in obtaining a placement and receive an MSW, certain criminal offenses may preclude them from obtaining employment or licensure as a social worker. Students need to check individual state licensing requirements. Students also need to be aware that many employers and state licensing boards require background checks for professional social workers.
------------------------------
Deirdre Spelman
Director of Field Education
School of Social Work, Marywood University
Scranton PA
------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: Sep 28, 2022 12:45
From: Katharina Werner
Subject: Online and In person MSW Programs: pulse check regarding screening policies before entering field placement
Hi there,
we also follow policy A although we have some placements, mostly in clinical or medical settings, that do require background checks which the student is responsible to coordinate and complete.
Best
KAT
------------------------------
Katharina Werner
Director of Field Education
University of Montana
Missoula MT
Original Message:
Sent: Sep 27, 2022 14:14
From: Cynthia Baker
Subject: Online and In person MSW Programs: pulse check regarding screening policies before entering field placement
Greetings,
We are an online MSW program in pre-candidacy (hoping for candidacy early 2023) and I would like to do a pulse check.
Which of the following policies does your program follow?
A. NO university or third party background or caregiver checks. Agencies are notified students have not been screened and to follow their agency regulations, policies and procedures for student criminal background checks.
B. Some screening: Differs by state and some states require student information for state registry. This can be done by a third party vendor.
Criminal background checks completed by agency per their regulations, policies and procedures.
C. All screenings and criminal background checks are completed by a third party vendor paid by the university. Agencies are informed students are fully screened.
Thank you in advance!
Best,
------------------------------
Cynthia Baker, EdD, LCSW, MSW
Director of Field Education
Herzing University
Milwaukee
414-212-3107
------------------------------