Before You Start

Background checks and substance screening are integral elements of the hiring process at UCSF. All UCSF staff positions require a background check as part of the new hire process. 

• All final applicants who are subject to this background check policy will receive an email from Certiphi with a link to begin your online background check and instructions on how to complete a urine drug screening.
• The background check form and urine drug appointment must be completed within two business days of receiving the email to avoid any delays in your start date.
• If you have questions about the forms or about using Certiphi, contact Certiphi Customer Service at 800-803-7860 (toll free).

• A separate Zoom meeting will be scheduled for you to verify all the required certifications/licensures for the position you will fill.
• You must complete Section 1 of the Employment Authorization Form I-9 using an electronic system to verify your eligibility to work in the United States. Tracker I-9 will notify you by email about this task. 
• Please also provide your employment specialist with an I-9 verifier who will verify your I-9 documents. The I-9 verifier must be over 18 years old, not a family member, and able to meet you in person. Human Resources will need the following: verifier's first and last name, email address, title, and phone number.  Be prepared to show your I-9 verifier/remote agent one item from list A, or one item from list B and one item from list C, from this list of acceptable documents.
• Before your start date, you will receive an email from DocuSign containing your photo ID badge request form. Please print and take the form to one of the following security offices (note: you do not need an appointment, and security is open 24/7):
  • Mission Bay: 1975 Fourth St., room C1917; phone 415-885-7890
  • Parnassus: 505 Parnassus Ave., room M192; phone 415-885-7890

Occupational Health Services will contact you (by phone or email) regarding your New Hire Health Screening after you initiate your background check (please allow 2-3 business days for your information to show up in our systems). Please take requested action as requested by Occupational Health immediately. Your delayed response can result in the start date being modified. Health clearance typically takes a full two weeks to complete, so we appreciate you prioritizing this requirement. 

•  If you need to expedite scheduling your appointment, you may contact Occupational Health Services directly at at (415) 885-7580
• UCSF requires certain vaccinations per policy. For more information, please visit the requirements for new hires page.

You will receive an email with a link to DocuSign, a secure online signature tool, where you will complete necessary employee documents. You will receive a separate link to DocuSign with your welcome letter and job description once your manager has approved and signed the documents. If you are hired into a non-exempt position, you will also receive a UCSF Meal Waiver. If you do not wish to waive your meal period, you do not need to sign the form but please date it to show you have received the form. If you wish to proceed with the waiver, please sign and date the form.

Please sign and submit these forms before your first day of work. If you have any questions about these forms or about using DocuSign, contact your employment specialist.

All new employees should understand the dress standards for their position. Discuss with your manager, before your first day, the dress expectations and if there are uniform requirements.

• Employee dress standard policy (included in your new hire DocuSign packet)
• Employee Apparel Program: Eligible employees participating in the Employee Apparel Program will receive an email with login information from our vendor, Mission Linen, a week after the submission of your background check application. Please discuss questions on the program with your manager. If you have questions about ordering, please contact Mission Linen customer service at 844-619-1925 or [email protected].  
  • Note: Supply chain issues may delay arrival of your uniform till after your start date. In this case, please work with your manager or direct supervisor to determine what is appropriate attire until your uniform is delivered.

 Background checks are integral elements of the hiring process at UCSF. All UCSF staff positions require a background check as part of the new hire process. 

• All final applicants who are subject to this background check policy will receive an email from Certiphi with a link to begin your online background check and instructions.

• The background check form must be completed within two business days of receiving the email to avoid any delays in your start date.

• If you have questions about the forms or about using Certiphi, contact Certiphi Customer Service at 800-803-7860external link (opens in a new window) (toll free).

You must complete an Employment Authorization Form I-9 to confirm your eligibility to work in the United States. 

• You will receive an email from Tracker to begin form I-9 section 1 remotely. 
• Section 2 of the form must be completed in person.
• Only original, unexpired government-issued identification(s) are accepted to complete and satisfy Section 2 of the I-9 form.  For Form I-9 acceptable documents, visit the USCIS government site.

Further instructions of I-9 will be provided by your HR generalist.

DocuSign is a secure online signature tool.

You will receive two emails from DocuSign, each containing a packet of forms to complete before your first day of employment.

1. UCSF New Employee Forms
2. Oath & Patent
   • University of California State Oath of Allegiance — signed by U.S. citizens only
   • University of California Patent Policy and Patent Agreement — required regardless of citizenship status
   • UCRS-419 form — who must sign

ID badge instructions will be provided to you by your HR generalist.  

• Onsite employees may pick up an ID badge on their first day. Please wait until after you have received COVID-19/flu clearance before you obtain an ID badge.
• Offsite employees must have COVID-19/flu clearance before coming onsite to obtain an ID badge. 
• Before visiting the UCSF Badging Center, please review your profile in the UCSF Campus Directory to verify that your name, credentials, working title, and department are displayed and correct. Contact the HR generalist listed on your offer letter if your profile is incorrect or incomplete.

DocuSign is a secure online signature tool.

You will receive two emails from DocuSign, each containing a packet of forms to complete before your first day of employment.

1. UCSF New Employee Forms
2. Oath & Patent
   • University of California State Oath of Allegiance — signed by U.S. citizens only
   • University of California Patent Policy and Patent Agreement — required regardless of citizenship status
   • UCRS-419 form — who must sign

ID badge instructions will be provided by your HR generalist.  

• Onsite employees may pick up an ID badge on their first day. Please wait until after you have received COVID-19/flu clearance before you obtain an ID badge.
• Offsite employees must have COVID-19/flu clearance before coming onsite to obtain an ID badge. 
• Before visiting the UCSF Badging Center, please review your profile in the UCSF Campus Directory to verify that your name, credentials, working title, and department are displayed and correct. Contact the HR generalist listed on your offer letter if your profile is incorrect or incomplete.