Top 10 Tips for Conducting Reference Checks

Before making a contract offer, checking references will help you get a better picture of a prospective candidate's skills, strengths or weaknesses, work habits and personality. Tips to ensure quality reference checking include:

Obtain permission from the candidate to conduct reference checks. If verbal permission is given, this should also be confirmed in writing.
Ask the candidate to provide 4-5 references that include peers, administrators, nurses or others they work with closely, and to advise the references that you will be contacting them.
Establish a consistent referencing format with the same questions for all candidates interviewing for the same opportunity.
Ask specific, open-ended (not yes or no) questions to evaluate clinical skills, strengths and weaknesses, interpersonal skills with colleagues and patients, and ability to handle stressful situations and if an answer is too vague, probe for a more meaningful answer.
Document reference names, contact information and relationships to the candidate including where, when and how they know the candidate, and document their responses as well.
Although those giving references may prefer to fill out a form, oral references allow you to hear tone of voice or inflection and pick up on any hesitation which may indicate something is being left unsaid or needs to be discussed further.
Questions must fall within the limits of federal law pertaining to nondiscriminatory employment. You should not ask questions regarding race, color, religion, gender, age, national origin, marital status, pregnancy or children, or about medical conditions or disabilities – to name a few.
Ask if the candidate is eligible or would be considered for re-hire if you are contacting a reference in an organization where they previously worked. If the candidate is just completing training ask if they would hire the candidate or refer family members to the candidate for care.
While asking a reference to rank a candidate on a scale may seem helpful, rankings are subjective versus objective and open to interpretation.
If not prohibited in your state, make sure to address risk factor questions including; malpractice history, disciplinary actions, revocation of privileges or licenses, passing of academic exams, current illegal substance abuse and other legal concerns that would affect the candidate's practice of medicine.

Interviewing references can be a challenging task and is critical to the overall evaluation of a potential candidate. To get the most from those providing references, be friendly and conversational yet respectful of their time. A closing thank you is always appreciated!

For additional information and sample reference questions, please contact us.

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