Criminal Background Check

A criminal history background check is required for all students in the Patient Care Technician (PCT) program prior to participating in clinical rotations and may be conducted annually or at the discretion of clinical affiliates. Not passing a background check may prohibit the student from progressing in the program and from becoming certified to work in the field.

In instances where a student’s criminal background check contains information related to past criminal activity, Berkeley College cannot guarantee that the College will find suitable clinical placement(s) because the decision to allow students to complete clinical rotations is at the sole discretion of the clinical affiliate. If the student is denied clinical placement by the clinical affiliate due to criminal history information, that student will not be permitted to continue in the program. If the offense is expungable, the student is encouraged to seek legal counsel. If the student's record is cleared, and the record shows as "clear," the student is eligible for progression, provided all other clinical eligibility requirements are met.

If a charge, arrest, and/or conviction occurs while a student is enrolled in the PCT program, it is the student’s responsibility to inform the Department Chair. This notification must be in writing and must occur within two business days after the event occurs. The required notification must include a description of the circumstances surrounding the charge, arrest, and/or conviction. Subsequent to this notification, the student should make an appointment with the Department Chair to discuss their options. Failure to notify the Department Chair of a charge, arrest, and/or conviction may result in the student being removed from the PCT program.