Why You Should Be Doing Online Checks on Your Care Workers
by Aimee Cartwright
Social Media Checks are proving to be extremely valuable for the healthcare industry, to the extent that NHS England has integrated social media searches into its FPPT Framework.
Though the spotlight is often on doctors and nurses, it can be equally as important to perform online background checks on care workers. Gaining an insight into the qualities of a care worker before they start their role can help you to choose trustworthy candidates who represent your company well online.
SP Index screens healthcare candidatesâ online profiles to ensure those who need care are in the safest hands possible. Get on board to establish a safer organisation and a stronger reputation.
What is a Healthcare Social Media Check?
SP Index Healthcare Social Media Checks can be divided into three categories: Healthcare Basic, Healthcare Essential, and Healthcare Premium.
Each of these Social Media Checks equips healthcare organisations to recruit the right candidates and avoid recruiting individuals who may threaten the safety of their company. Our social intelligence team analyse the online behaviours of each candidate, with a focus on highlighting any adverse content â particularly content that is healthcare-specific.
With a Healthcare Premium Check, our clients are guaranteed a wider scope of research. We offer enhanced social and professional networking, covering a history of over 5 years.
The Healthcare Essential and Healthcare Basic (both covering up to 3 years of online history) come with standard social and professional networking, which still covers most popular sites.
Why Should Social Media Checks Be Used for Care Worker Jobs?
Safeguarding
Care workers have a duty of care to all those receiving care and support in their place of work. To recruit a care worker without vetting their social media is to knowingly avoid accessing information that could hinder the care workerâs ability to meet this duty of care.
Employeesâ social media profiles can tell us a great deal about their morals and values, and therefore when Social Media Checks are used as part of the recruitment process, we can flag potential workplace risks before they even arise.
For example, if a candidate has shared adverse content at their previous place of work, such as the example of Ronnie Pask in South Ayrshire, we can pass this information onto the prospective employer, who can then decide how to manage this risk.
Reputation
One of the main reasons healthcare organisations choose to employ Social Media Checks is that they are determined to uphold a strong reputation in the face of industry changes and scandals.
When a care company decides to implement Social Media Checks on all care workers, it sends a message that they take their staff and patientsâ wellbeing seriously. This is something that is noticed by the personnel, patients and their families, and the public.
How to Integrate Healthcare Social Media Checks Into Your Recruitment Practices and Policies
If you believe that Social Media Checks are vital for the healthcare industry, but you donât know where to begin, read our specialist guide on integrating Social Media Checks in your recruitment practices and policies.
We discuss how transparency, consent and confidentiality, amongst other key factors, are crucial when it comes to introducing Healthcare Social Media Checks to your recruitment stage.
Contact
If you agree that the role of a care worker is too important to risk not vetting their social media, youâre in the right place.
Get in touch with SP Index on 0800 468 1688 or info@sp-index.com to find out how you can get started with our popular Healthcare Social Media Checks.
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