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Does Amedisys Drug Test?

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It depends

Amedisys drug testing varies by role, state, and setting. As a home health, hospice, and personal-care provider, clinical staff who enter patients' homes and handle medications are the most likely to be screened. Some clinicians report a pre-hire test; others report only a background check.

Whether Amedisys drug tests depends on your role and state. Amedisys is one of the largest home health, hospice, and high-acuity care providers in the U.S., and healthcare employers commonly screen clinical staff because caregivers work unsupervised in patients' homes and may handle controlled medications. In employee self-reports, a background check is nearly universal, and roughly a third of applicants report a pre-employment drug screen — meaning testing is inconsistent and often role-dependent. Registered nurses, LPNs, home health aides, physical therapists, and hospice staff are the most likely to be tested. Florida positions require a Level 2 background screening through the state Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse. Corporate, administrative, and remote roles are less likely to be screened. When testing occurs it is typically a standard urine panel at a third-party clinic, and reasonable-suspicion or post-accident testing can apply to any employee.

Drug Testing by Position

PositionTested?Test TypeWhen
Registered Nurse (RN) - Home HealthSometimesUrine (5-panel)Pre-employment (varies by branch/state), reasonable suspicion
LPN / Home Health Aide (CNA)SometimesUrine (5-panel)Pre-employment (varies), reasonable suspicion
Physical / Occupational TherapistSometimesUrine (5-panel)Pre-employment (varies), post-accident
Hospice Nurse / AideSometimesUrine (5-panel)Pre-employment (varies), reasonable suspicion
Corporate / Administrative / RemoteRarelyUrine (if tested)Reasonable suspicion

Drug Test Type and Process

When Amedisys screens a candidate, it typically uses a standard urine drug test administered at a third-party occupational clinic (such as Quest Diagnostics or Labcorp) after a conditional offer. A common 5-panel screen looks for marijuana (THC), cocaine, opiates, amphetamines, and PCP; some healthcare contracts use an expanded panel that adds benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and prescription opioids. The pre-hire process almost always includes a criminal background check, license and reference verification, and — for Florida roles — a Level 2 fingerprint screening through the state Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse. Because Amedisys operates hundreds of care centers across many states, exact requirements differ by branch, payer, and local law, so confirm with your recruiter.

Marijuana Policy

Amedisys maintains a drug-free workplace, and because clinicians provide hands-on patient care, marijuana can matter more here than in many retail jobs — impairment on the job is never permitted. Where Amedisys does test, marijuana (THC) is usually included on the panel, even in states where cannabis is legal, because home health and hospice fall under safety-sensitive, patient-care standards. However, testing is inconsistent across roles and locations, so many hired clinicians report never being screened at all. If you hold a medical marijuana card or live in a legal-use state, disclose nothing until asked and ask your recruiter directly whether your specific position and state require a THC screen before you accept an offer.

Tips for Applicants

Amedisys hires nurses (RN, LPN), home health and hospice aides, therapists (PT, OT, SLP), social workers, and clinical managers, plus a 12-month New Graduate Nurse Program for first-year nurses. The full hiring process averages about two weeks and includes an application, recruiter phone screen, and an interview with the hiring team. Expect a background check and license verification; ask early whether a drug test applies to your role and state so there are no surprises. Have your nursing or therapy license, certifications, references, and a clean driving record ready, since home health requires travel between patients. Apply through the official Amedisys careers portal rather than third-party lead-gen sites.

Recent Policy Changes

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Does Amedisys drug test for weed?
    When Amedisys tests, marijuana (THC) is generally included on the panel because home health and hospice are safety-sensitive, patient-care roles — even in states where cannabis is legal. Testing is not applied to every role, though, so many hires report no screen at all. Ask your recruiter whether your specific position and state require a THC test.
    Does Amedisys drug test all new hires?
    No. Testing is inconsistent and role-dependent. A background check is nearly universal, but only about a third of applicants report a pre-employment drug screen. Clinical staff who enter patients' homes and handle medications are the most likely to be tested; corporate and remote roles are least likely.
    What kind of drug test does Amedisys use?
    When testing occurs, it is typically a standard urine test at a third-party occupational clinic after a conditional offer. A basic 5-panel is common, though some healthcare contracts use an expanded panel that adds benzodiazepines, barbiturates, and prescription opioids.
    Does Amedisys do random drug testing?
    Amedisys maintains a drug-free workplace and can conduct reasonable-suspicion and post-accident testing for any employee. Some clinicians report random screening after hire, but it is not universally applied across all branches and roles.
    Does Amedisys drug test in Florida?
    Florida roles require a Level 2 fingerprint background screening through the state Care Provider Background Screening Clearinghouse. A drug screen may also apply depending on the branch and position, so confirm the specific requirements with your Florida recruiter.
    Does a felony or record disqualify you at Amedisys?
    Amedisys runs a criminal background check and, in patient-care roles, checks state healthcare exclusion and abuse registries. A record is not an automatic bar for every position, but certain convictions can disqualify candidates for licensed, patient-facing roles under state and federal healthcare rules.

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    Disclaimer: This is informational only, not legal advice. Company drug testing policies change frequently and may vary by location. Always confirm the current policy with your hiring manager or HR representative. For substance abuse support, call SAMHSA at 1-800-662-4357 (free, confidential, 24/7).