If You Don't Choose Us
- Vetting Recommendations -
As Caregiving Superheroes, we not only take pride in providing quality services, but we are also advocates for the protection of every person (especially the most vulnerable) from those that are seeking to do harm. If for some reason you decide that our services may not be the right fit for your particular needs, you and your loved one's safety still matters to us. We ultimately want to empower you with research techniques that will help to protect yourself and those you love. When searching for assistance, BEFORE inviting a person into your home or entrusting your loved one's care or your own care to anyone, we encourage you to seriously consider the 25 recommendations below which were compiled by our team.
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1 - When scheduling meet & greets, screenings, and formal interviews with applicants, always arrange to meet in public places such as a Public Library. For example, a study room can be reserved to conduct a conversation. Never compromise the security of your household by inviting someone to your home without vetting them.
2 - Ask the applicant for permission to photocopy or take a picture of their government-issued ID to text to your loved one for safety reasons, and as part of your future background check. Also, ask the applicant for their maiden name(s) and any other aliases, if applicable - each of these names will need to be checked in the public databases below.
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3 - As you interact with applicants, make your non-negotiables clear as early in the conversation as possible. This ensures that all parties are not wasting each other's valuable time. For example, if occasional driving to appointments is a requirement for the position, along with maintaining a clean driving record, make it clear as soon as possible.
4 - Listen for red flags. For example, if an applicant desires to be paid under the table (no W2 or no Form 1099), or only cash, or they ask you to send their paycheck to a family member, friend, etc., those are all red flags, and it will complicate accounting for your household.
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5 - Don't ignore your gut instincts - it usually starts from the time you conducted an initial electronic message (email, DM, etc.), telephone screening, or meet & greet. Also, consider whether the person was respectful, punctual, and attentive during your communications, and also whether the person's overall attitude and personality would be a good fit for you or your loved one.
6 - Require applicants to possess an active AZ Department of Public Safety (DPS) Fingerprint Clearance Card. If the applicant doesn't possess one, it will cost about $75 total for application processing by DPS and 3rd-party electronic fingerprinting costs. You may even consider reimbursing the applicant for the costs involved with obtaining the clearance. After the applicant possesses a Fingerprint Clearance Card number, ask for it; then visit the AZ DPS website to check their legal name (which should always match their ID). You'll also see the expiration date and overall status of the card.
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7 - Require a non-expired CPR/First Aid/AED certification card. In the event of an emergency such as a burn, cut, fall, seizure, stroke, heart attack, or choking, the applicant should know how to respond. The applicant should also be able to recognize the signs of medical conditions that warrant an immediate call to 9-1-1 for help. If there is a 'Do Not Resuscitate' (DNR) in place for the person receiving care, please ensure that the applicant understands what a DNR means, and that it is clearly communicated and documented in writing.
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8 - Ask the applicant for the names, addresses, and phone numbers of at least 3 professional references. Call the references that were provided and verify names and relationships. Keep in mind that it's quite easy for a con artist to ask an acquaintance to lie for them, so you may have to circle back with follow-up questions later if responses don't add up. For example, the applicant informed you that they've worked for the reference for 1 year, but the reference states that they worked only 2 weeks.
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9 - Obtain at least two emergency contacts (name, address, phone number, and their relationship to the applicant); then contact and verify them - this information is needed in case there is an emergency while the person is working for you.
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**We encourage you to go the extra mile and conduct an extensive public records search by using recommendations 10-22**
We compiled these websites with a focus on Maricopa County residents. The websites can provide past and updated information that should be considered. For example, an applicant could've obtained a Fingerprint Clearance Card two years ago but may have recently been charged with a felony and awaiting a court hearing, or somehow was able to obtain a plea deal to a lesser charge that wouldn't necessarily disqualify them from obtaining a Fingerprint Clearance Card. Finding an applicant's name as part of a court case may indicate questionable character issues (alleged or otherwise) which should be considered, and at the very least discussed with the applicant to hear their explanation. The information should also be brought to your family's attention. When looking into an applicant's background, you'll oftentimes be shocked at what you find. Keep in mind that even though some backgrounds and past actions/charges might be explained by an applicant, there could be red flags in front of you of what can possibly resurface in the future. For instance, a person hired to provide care could experience triggers and/or be tempted with gateways to negative behaviors that could be directed to the person receiving care at some point.
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10 - Check to see if the applicant's name is on the AZ Adult Protective Service registry for any abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
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11 - Check to see if the applicant's name is on the AZ DPS Sex Offender registry for any reason.
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12 - Check to see if the applicant's name is on the U.S. Department of Justice National Sex Offender website for any reason.
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13 - Check to see if the applicant's name is on the AZ Board of Nursing Nurse Imposter list for any reason. The names on this particular site are not in alphabetical order, but rather in the order of the date the individual is listed as an imposter.
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14 - Check to see if the applicant's name is on the AZ Board of Nursing Administrative Penalties list for any reason. The names on this particular site are non-disciplinary financial penalties issued by agreement between the licensee and the Nursing Boar. Being on this list could be a red flag when considering how some of the duties in your household may require extreme attention to detail, and if a person can't stay organized in their own life, you'll be inclined to wonder how effective and reliable the person will be in your loved one's life.
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15 - If the applicant presents themself as a Registered Nurse (RN), Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN), or Advanced Practice Registered Nurse (APRN), obtain their license number; then look up and verify the license from participating boards of nursing at no cost, and also download a report with the licensure and discipline status information.
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16 - If the applicant presents themself as a Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA), Licensed Nurse Assistant (LNA), Certified Medication Assistant (CMA), or Licensed Health Aide (LHA), obtain their license/certification number; then look up and verify the license. Information available on this website is limited to Arizona only. If the applicant carries a certification or license from another state, you will need to check with that state's appropriate department to verify the credential was issued and if it is currently in good standing.
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17 - Check to see if the applicant's name is on the Office of Inspector General (OIG) exclusion list. The OIG's List of Excluded Individuals/entities (LEIE) provides information to the health care industry, patients and public regarding individuals and entities currently excluded from participation in Medicare, Medicaid and all other Federal health care programs.
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18 - Check to see if the applicant's name is on the Arizona Judicial Branch's website
19 - Check to see if the applicant's name is on the Criminal Court Case Information website
20 - Check to see if the applicant's name is on the Family Court Case History website
21 - Check to see if the applicant's name is on the Civil Court Case website
22 - Check to see if the applicant's name is on the Probate Court Case website
23 - Install cameras - setup security cameras throughout the house, with the exception of places where privacy is expected such as the bathroom. Just the idea of being monitored remotely by cameras at any given time of a caregiver's shift can scare off many wolves that have presented themselves in sheep's clothing and are up to no good. You can contact us if you'd like to know what our favorite brands are, and why.
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24 - Seek transparency from every person and every company. If you choose to use an agency/company to assign you a caregiver, it is wise to insist that all caregivers assigned to your home have an AZ DPS Fingerprint Clearance Card that you can verify yourself. The staff or management may tell you that having an AZ DPS Fingerprint Clearance Card is not required by their hiring guidelines or by the State of AZ, and that they do an "extensive background check", but we recommend that you insist on the possession of a AZ DPS Fingerprint Clearance Card. If met with resistance to your requests, contact a different company who values you as a client and prioritizes your household security. Possession of an AZ DPS Fingerprint Clearance Card means that the caregiver has a government-agency background check that satisfies strict public safety requirements. We also recommend that items 10-22 be followed for caregivers sent by an agency/company. You have the right to request the caregiver's name well in advance of them being assigned to your home for duty. Say NO! ...to rushed same-day or prior-day assignments by the agency/company and inform them that you need at least a couple of days notice to research the person they are sending to you. If you choose to move into an Assisted Living or other facility, utilize a checklist to ask the right questions which will help you to make decisions that are well-informed.
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25 - After conducting all of your research, take the time to discuss the public records findings with trusted family members, friends, and others who can weigh-in on the findings in an unbiased manner. Ask them if they would allow this person to care for their child or other loved one if they were in your shoes - especially after knowing what you discovered about the applicant(s). Keep an open mind to the responses you get from your loved ones.
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Note: Taking all of the above steps cannot guarantee that you'll stop 100% of the abusers, liars, cheaters, thieves, con artists, etc., but you'll ensure that you have exercised a thorough due diligence to keep your loved one and/or household as safe as possible. Best wishes on your care journey and please contact us if you need assistance!