WPBN: Beginning with the new year, licensed caregivers in the state of Arizona are required to verify that their staff are not included in the database maintained by Adult Protective Services.
What seems like something that ought to already be standard procedure might also be of assistance in the process of hiring new employees.
According to Kevin Mullis, a placement specialist with Mullis Senior Placement, “there is some pressure on some employers to hire whoever they can get.” That is the statement that Kevin Mullis said.
In addition to providing senior living services to those who are in need of them, Mullis is aware of the significance of a new rule that would require companies to ensure that they do not recruit anyone on the registry. This is because the individuals on the registry were brought there as a result of mistreating, neglecting, or exploiting vulnerable persons.
The statement made by Mullis was as follows: “In general, I am in favor of fewer laws rather than more laws, less bureaucracy; however, there are some laws that are necessary.”
According to Craig Peterson, owner of All For One Home Care, “I started in group homes and so, even though I do private in-home care, it has always been a part of my workflow. It’s just kind of like when I was a hiring manager, I was just used to doing it and it’s such an easy check.”
According to Peterson, he believes that reviewing the online register is a simple process. He also believes that it has the potential to simplify certain hiring processes by providing a preliminary sense of security while waiting for a comprehensive background check to be performed on a potential employee.
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“We’re going to check, they have a clear record in Arizona, they’re not in the Adult Protective Services database so we can at least hire them and start that investment in their training,” Peterson stated.
“This seems like a very necessary law to make sure there are people who don’t have a record or a history of abusing or neglecting the elderly, the vulnerable adults. And I don’t see a downside to a law like this,” Mullis stated.
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In addition, beginning in March, companies in the senior care industry are required to check to see if their current staff are included in that list and terminate them if they are.
Beginning later this year, the Arizona Department of Health Services will also be burdened with the responsibility of regulating memory care, which refers to the care provided to those who are suffering from dementia.
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