In response to the heinous disgusting crime by Kristen Parker, who exposed thousands of people with hepatitus C, Colorado State Representatives Debbie Benefield and Sara Gagliardiare sponsoring a bill to “require surgical technicians to be registered with the state before working with patients.” Here are the details from their Denver Post commentary:
Employers must verify with the state that a prospective employee’s registration is in good standing before he/she can start working in an operating room. Additionally, if an employee is fired or disciplined, the employer must report this information to the state within two weeks. The legislation will help ensure hospitals and surgery centers do not inadvertently hire surgical technicians with a criminal background or with a history of jeopardizing patient safety. Additionally, the legislation will allow employers to share information with other potential employers concerning impaired work function, drug diversion, patient abuse and violent crimes.
Sounds good right? How can one argue with this?
Well, empowering government to make sure surgical technicians are not dangerous to patients may sound good. It might make us feel secure. And hey, some kind of government oversight could be better than nothing. But why choose between government and nothing? Well, most people assume it’s because currently there is no alternative.
But what about pre-employment background checks? A few years ago BankRate.com ran article that begins:
If you’ve applied for a job lately, chances are you signed a consent form for a background check. Employers … are intent on scrutinizing potential employees to avoid potential risks.
… Most employer background checks focus on employment history, educational background, credit history, motor vehicle history and criminal background, she says. Employment and educational background checks verify information that employees have provided in resumes and on job applications, so it’s important to be honest on your resume and when filling out a job application, she says.
Clearly there can be, and probably is, a competitive marketplace for pre-employment background checks. They companies that do this have an incentive to do a good job, as otherwise employers do not hire them. What incentive does government have to do a good job?
What am I missing here? Well, aside from the cynical but true observation that government tries to expands its power pretty much whenever possible.
