Due to the sensitive nature of the treatment process and the vulnerability of the population served, it is important that all persons being considered for employment be given a Criminal Background Check. The Executive Director will ensure that all employees have a background check before hire.

Disqualification due to criminal record will be upon the discretion of the Executive Director, dependent upon the nature of the crime and how long ago it was committed. Crimes of a violent or sexual nature will generally be grounds for disqualification.

A criminal background check will be requested through the Washington State Patrol using the WSP standard form. The results will be kept in the individual’s personnel file.

Background checks—Requirements for service providers.
(1) Service providers must follow the background check requirements described in chapter 388-113 WAC and in this chapter. In the event of an inconsistency, this chapter applies.
(2) The service provider must obtain background checks from the department for all administrators, employees, volunteers, students, and subcontractors who may have unsupervised access to clients.
(3) The service provider must not allow the following persons to have unsupervised access to clients until the service provider receives the department’s background check results:

• (a) Administrators;
• (b) Employees;
• (c) Volunteers or students; and
• (d) Subcontractors.

(4) If the department’s background checks results show that an administrator, employee, volunteer, student, or subcontractor has any of the following, then the service provider must prevent that person from having unsupervised access to clients:

• (a) A disqualifying conviction or pending criminal charge under chapter 388-113 WAC; or
• (b) A disqualifying negative action under WAC 388-101-3090.

(5) If the background checks results show any of the following, then the service provider must conduct a character, suitability, and competence review before allowing the person unsupervised access to clients:

• (a) The person has a conviction or pending criminal charge, but the conviction or criminal charge is not disqualifying under WAC 388-113-0020;
• (b) The person has a conviction or pending criminal charge that meets one of the exceptions listed in WAC 388-113-0040; or
• (c) Any of the circumstances described in WAC 388-101-3080 apply to the individual. (WAC 388-101-3250)