Not every job carries the same risks, and not every background check should look exactly the same.
Depending on your industry, you might need more than a basic criminal check to truly protect your business, your customers, and your brand. At Swailes Backgrounds, we help companies tailor their screening programs to match the specific demands of their field.
Here’s a look at how background checks differ across three high-stakes industries: healthcare, transportation, and finance.
Healthcare: Patient Safety Comes First
In healthcare, trust and safety are everything. Employees often work with vulnerable populations, handle sensitive personal information, and sometimes even have access to narcotics.
Because of this, healthcare background checks typically go deeper:
- OIG & SAM Exclusion Lists:
To ensure your hires aren’t barred from participating in federally funded programs like Medicare or Medicaid. - License & Credential Verification:
Confirm professional licenses, certifications, and that they’re in good standing. - Sanctions & Disciplinary Actions:
Look for past professional misconduct, malpractice history, or state board disciplinary records. - Expanded criminal checks:
Some healthcare employers check additional jurisdictions or longer look-back periods to uncover offenses that could pose a patient safety risk.
With rising regulatory scrutiny, a thorough screening process can also help protect your organization from fines or liability tied to negligent hiring.
Transportation: Keeping Roads (and Your Reputation) Safe
Whether you run a trucking company or a local delivery service, drivers represent your business on the road, and poor hiring choices can be costly.
Transportation background checks usually include:
- Motor Vehicle Records (MVR):
Essential for spotting DUIs, reckless driving, suspended licenses, and frequent violations. - FMCSA & DOT Compliance:
For regulated positions, like commercial truck drivers, you’ll need to follow Department of Transportation rules, including pre-employment drug tests and checks on past drug and alcohol violations. - Employment history & accident reviews:
Verifying previous driving jobs and safety records helps ensure you’re not putting high-risk drivers behind the wheel.
Not only does this protect your company’s insurance rates, it also helps safeguard everyone who shares the road with your team.
Finance: Trust is the Bottom Line
In banking, accounting, or any role that handles sensitive financial data, the stakes are different. A strong screening process helps protect client assets, maintain regulatory compliance, and keep your reputation intact.
Finance-specific checks often include:
- Credit Reports:
Evaluate financial responsibility, especially for positions that handle money or have access to accounts. - Criminal & Fraud Searches:
Beyond typical county criminal checks, many employers look specifically for theft, embezzlement, or fraud convictions. - Regulatory Watchlists & Professional Licenses:
Ensuring employees aren’t barred from working in financial sectors or misrepresenting credentials.
In some cases, you may also verify civil court records to spot lawsuits tied to breach of contract or financial misconduct.
Why Industry-Tailored Screening Matters
A cookie-cutter background check doesn’t always protect your business the way it should. By tailoring your screening to your industry’s specific risks and compliance standards, you:
Reduce liability and regulatory exposure
Protect customers and sensitive data
Build a more trustworthy brand
At Swailes Backgrounds, we help businesses create customized screening programs that make sense for their field, whether that’s healthcare, transportation, finance, or beyond.
Need Help with Background Checks or Compliance?
Whether you’re hiring new talent or updating your screening processes, the Swailes Background Check team is here to help. From criminal background checks and FCRA compliance to drug testing, employment and education verifications, MVR reports, credit history reviews, and Social Security number validation, we provide fast enrollment and expert support every step of the way.
Contact us today to streamline your screening process with confidence.