Criminal background checks bar 258 workers from Nevada nursing homes

Over an 11-month period ending Aug. 31, a total of 258 people were barred from working with the elderly in Nevada because of certain criminal convictions.

"Without a doubt it has had an effect in keeping some criminals out of the long-term care work place," said Winthrop Cashdollar, executive director of the Nevada Health Care Association, which represents nursing homes.

The largest number of people - 42 - were disqualified for petty theft or larceny. Twenty-two were barred for prostitution, 18 for burglary, 13 for forgery, four each for robbery and lewdness, and three for indecent exposure.

In addition, one was disqualified for voluntary manslaughter and two for assault with intent to kill or to commit sexual assault.

Nevada is one of 33 states to require the background checks. Under a state law that took effect Oct. 1, 1997, anyone hired to work in a nursing home, residential group home or home-health agency must submit two sets of fingerprints.

One set of fingerprints is sent to the FBI for a nationwide background search. The state keeps the second set of prints for a regional background check.

Workers are screened to determine if they have been convicted in seven categories.

Over the 11-month period ending Aug. 31, fingerprints were obtained from 12,604 existing employees and new hires.

Of the 2 percent of caregivers found to have criminal histories, it's unknown how many were existing employees.

But at least some were existing caregivers, said Suzie Carrillo of the state's central repository for criminal history.

"I know, because we'd get phone calls from people who would say, 'I've worked here for six years, I don't want to lose my job,"' Carrillo said.

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