The duty to verify (vergewisplicht) in the healthcare sector

What is the duty to verify?

The duty to verify applies when hiring new healthcare providers and is part of the Healthcare Quality, Complaints and Disputes Act. This means that a healthcare provider must check the suitability of someone who will provide healthcare professionally.

The employer can check how the care provider functioned in the past and if their history does not have a negative influence on how they will provide care to clients in the future. The applicant’s work experience is thus examined.

The duty to verify also applies to temporary workers but is not mandatory for volunteers and family caregivers. However, a healthcare provider may conduct checks if they wish to.

 Conform to the duty to verify with employment screening

As an employer, you must also be able to demonstrate that you have properly investigated the competence of an applicant. To note, a VOG application is insufficient as the certificate does not meet all the requirements mentioned above. Employment screening offers a legitimate solution to comply with the duty to verify. Often screenings for healthcare positions consist of the following:

• Investigation into a person’s employment history. For example, requesting references from a previous employer.
• Request a recent VOG. With this, document, you can determine whether the candidate has displayed any behaviour that would negatively influence their performance in a healthcare function.
• A BIG and RGS registration check. With this check, you can find out whether someone is allowed to fulfil a legally protected professional title, whether someone has been subjected to any function-specific sanctions and if so, which ones.

Employment screening in the healthcare sector

In the course of their work, healthcare providers deal with privacy-sensitive information and vulnerable target groups. It is therefore important to screen your personnel. Additionally, screening also helps healthcare institutions to meet their legal obligations, such as the duty to verify. In addition, as a healthcare provider, you must take into account the the Wkkgz, requesting a VOG for new employees, and checking the BIG registration.

Validata has strong experience working with the laws and regulations in the healthcare sector and the need to ensure qualitative care. We would be happy to think along with your organisation about a suitable screening solution. Want to know more about screening in the healthcare sector?

Employment screening in healthcare