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Updated March 1st, 2021
Having a criminal record can make it hard to get a job. In many sectors, employers find it necessary to perform background checks before hiring. This is especially true for licensed positions like healthcare jobs. Many employers may deem it necessary to run a criminal background check on their potential new employees. This is especially true for licensed positions such as most healthcare workers. Healthcare applicants undergo a criminal record check as part of the application process, and licensed professionals are re-checked throughout their careers (regulations vary from province to province.)
Jobs within the healthcare sector are oftentimes those that face the highest level of scrutiny throughout the employment process. There are several reasons for this. Firstly, many healthcare positions involve regular interaction with the most vulnerable sector of our society. A vulnerable person in this case refers to a person who because of age, disability, or other circumstance is in a position of dependency on others. In addition, people employed within the healthcare system often hold positions of authority and it must be determined that they use their authority accordingly. Even more broadly, they tend to be in positions of authority over others. For this reason, Vulnerable Sector Checks are often performed on current or prospective healthcare workers.
What is a Vulnerable Sector Check?
A Vulnerable Sector Check discloses more than a regular record check. It reveals past convictions, pending discharges as well as some sexual and violent offences for which an individual has received a Record Suspension.
But even healthcare professionals who do not work with vulnerable people may have their record checked. These checks are usually performed before entering a new program or every 5 years during it.
Having a criminal record will not immediately disqualify you from securing the job. If you are applying for a position in the healthcare industry you will likely be asked to disclose past and/or pending offences. Being truthful about your record speaks well to your character. It can also jump start a conversation about your rehabilitation. If you do not disclose these offences when given the opportunity to do so and the employer later carries out a criminal record check, this will not only reflect poorly on your character but may deem you ineligible for the job. It’s also important to note that if you have a record and you fail to disclose it to a licensing board, you can find yourself in civil and criminal hot water and could be charged with perjury or criminal fraud.
Offences that demonstrate serious breaches of trust or gross negligence are a few examples. Depending on circumstances, the following offences could be considered relevant:
- sexual offences;
- violent offences;
- drug-related offences;
- theft and fraud.
Vulnerable Sector Checks are often carried out when the prospective job involves working with individuals of the aforementioned vulnerable nature. Due to the job description and daily routine of a healthcare worker, a vulnerable sector check is often deemed necessary as a second screening measure to ensure the safety of those in the healthcare system. Having successfully been granted a Record Suspension, your conviction will not appear on a Vulnerable Sector Check. However, it is important to note that a Schedule 1 offence is the exception to this rule. If you have received a Record Suspension for a Schedule 1 offense, this will still be visible on a Vulnerable Sector Check due to the nature of a healthcare profession.
Can you qualify for healthcare jobs with a record?
Be upfront
If you are applying for a position in the healthcare industry, you will likely be asked to disclose past pending offences. Being truthful about your record speaks well to your character. It can also jump start a conversation about your rehabilitation.
Get a Record Suspension
Having a record suspension is another way of demonstrating rehabilitation.
Absolute and conditional charges are automatically removed from your record after a waiting period of 1 or 3 years. Most records become eligible for suspension after 5 to 10 years. Other offenses, both summary and indictable, become eligible for record suspension after a certain amount of time has passed. Once granted a Record Suspension, all information related to your conviction will be removed from the Canadian Police Information Centre and anyone who runs a criminal record check will no longer be able to access this information, potential employers included.
With the exception of vulnerable sector checks, a record suspension means that program and practice officers will not have access to your record. This allows you to seek education and career opportunities with confidence that focus is on the right parts of your application.
Many people are surprised to learn that police record checks can regularly disclose a wide range of non-conviction information, including 911 calls flagged as suicide attempts, mental health apprehensions, allegations that did not result in charges being laid, withdrawn charges and acquittals. Often, individuals who have had these forms of police contact never suspect they have a “criminal” record, one which might be released to employers, schools or volunteer agencies. Convictions can include "conditional discharges," "alternative measures" and "peace bonds" ordered under sections 717 and 810 of the Criminal Code. Therefore, it's not only people who have a conviction on their record that will benefit from obtaining a Record Suspension.
Getting an Education for a career in Healthcare
The first step to becoming a healthcare professional can involve a bachelor's degree, masters degree, supplemental education, or licensing. Most universities offer healthcare programs which combine classroom and practical learning and you will probably also engage in clinical rotations, or practicums. Many universities across Canada may require a police record check for certain programs of study, particularly in fields such as education, health sciences, and programs requiring community practicums. All students enrolled in programs that include a practicum component involving work with children or vulnerable adults will have to undergo a criminal record check before they successfully register in the practicum. If a record check comes back showing certain charges, you may not be eligible to enrol in your practicum. In addition to this, if the practicum is mandatory, then your non-involvement may mean you will be ineligible to graduate from your university program. Not only can a Record Suspension help you as you begin the interviewing stage for your career in healthcare, but it can also help you long before that in the earlier in your education as you work towards a career in healthcare.
Over the past 12 months, the world has faced a pandemic of epic proportions which has affected all aspects of our lives, employment included. Thankfully in more recent months, the number of employees returning to work and the number of job postings increasing online are clear signs that the labour market is beginning to recover. During the pandemic, healthcare workers were dubbed our country’s heroes and it is inevitable that witnessing both the hard work of and demand for healthcare workers during the pandemic will draw many people to work in the healthcare sector moving forward. It is also a sector that is forecasted to continue to grow rapidly over the next few years.
Now is the right time to move forward with your dreams of obtaining healthcare jobs in the future. Canada's population is aging and the job outlook is good in all sectors from reception, to nursing to medical sciences. Get started today by clearing your record. Call us for a free consultation at 1-866-972-7366.
