Guide To DBS Checks For GP Surgery and Medical Centre Employees
Doctor’s surgery and medical centre employees are required to apply for DBS checks, as they are working in a safeguarding and safety-critical environment. The level of DBS check required depends on the nature of the role performed.
Some GP surgery and medical centre staff are required to directly assist injured, sick, and vulnerable people, which means that they will need a high level check. Other staff may not come into contact with patients at all, or if they do they may not be required to give support or advice.
DBS Checks for GP surgery employees is a legal requirement and it also helps employers make more informed recruitment decisions.
This short guide will help doctor’s surgery and medical centre owners and employees to better understand the rules and regulations around DBS checks.
What DBS Check Level Is Correct For Medical Staff?
Medical staff that provide direct healthcare to patients are all required to apply for an Enhanced DBS Check. If the role is defined as a regulated activity by the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS), then the employee will need a barred list check to go with it. A regulated activity is an activity that involves frequent, direct contact with children or vulnerable adults.
Roles that are classified as medical staff are doctors, nurses, healthcare assistants, and anybody else involved in the provision of healthcare to members of the public.
Most medical staff will need to get an Enhanced DBS Certificate and pass a barred list check. A barred list check involves cross-referencing the applicant’s details with the DBS barred list of people banned from working with children or vulnerable adults.
What DBS Check Level Is Correct For Non-Medical Staff?
In general, non-medical staff in GP surgeries or medical centres do not require a full Enhanced DBS Check, as long as they are not in direct contact with children or vulnerable adults.
A Standard or Basic DBS Check will usually suffice for surgery staff such as receptionists and support staff. However, if the role requires the person to access patients records or help with care in some way, then they should have an Enhanced DBS Check.
In some medical centres, reception staff are also required to act as chaperones for patients that request the service. A chaperone is a person that accompanies the patient to the appointment with a medical professional. The usual reason for this is that the patient may be vulnerable in some way, such as having learning disabilities or is a child. Chaperones may also be required to assist patients with undressing and dressing. Therefore, they will require an Enhanced DBS Check.
If you are still unsure of the DBS Check eligibility of a member of your staff we recommend checking with a regulatory body such as the Care Quality Commission to confirm their criminal record checking policy as part of the DBS application process.
Summary
The requirements for doctor’s surgery staff depends on the role and the activities performed. All medical staff will require an Enhanced DBS Check with a barred list check. Non-medical staff may only require a Basic or Standard DBS Check, but others, such as those who act as chaperones, may need an Enhanced DBS Check.
If you want to find out more about DBS Checks for medical and healthcare staff, or you have any other, more general, questions about DBS checks, then get in touch today.
