Does Kindred Healthcare Hire Felons?
Last updated:
Kindred Healthcare hires some people with records. Long-term care and rehabilitation facilities with position-dependent screening.
Kindred Healthcare hires some people with felony records, primarily for non-clinical support positions. Kindred operates long-term acute care hospitals, rehabilitation facilities, and transitional care units across the US. Non-patient-facing positions such as dietary, housekeeping, laundry, and maintenance are the most accessible for people with records. Clinical and patient-care positions have stricter background requirements due to healthcare licensing regulations and patient safety concerns. State healthcare worker background check laws vary significantly and may restrict certain convictions regardless of how old they are.
Hiring by Position
| Position | Felon Friendly? | Background Check | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dietary / Food Service | Sometimes | Yes | Food preparation for patients and staff. Non-clinical support role. |
| Housekeeping / EVS | Sometimes | Yes | Environmental services and cleaning. Non-patient-care role. |
| Laundry | Sometimes | Yes | Hospital laundry operations. Back-of-house. |
| Maintenance | Sometimes | Yes | Facility maintenance. Skills-based with less patient interaction. |
| CNA / Patient Care Technician | Rarely | Yes — comprehensive + state registry | Patient-facing. State CNA registry and healthcare background check required. |
| Nurse (RN/LPN) | Rarely | Yes — comprehensive + licensing board | State nursing board must approve licensure with criminal record. |
Kindred Healthcare Hiring Practices
Kindred Healthcare is a provider of long-term acute care, rehabilitation, and transitional care services. The company operates facilities across the US and hires for both clinical and non-clinical positions. For people with criminal records, non-clinical support positions (dietary, housekeeping, laundry, maintenance) offer the most accessible entry points. Healthcare facilities are subject to state-specific background check laws that may be more restrictive than general employment laws.
Background Check Process
Kindred Healthcare conducts comprehensive background checks on all employees. Healthcare facilities are required by state and federal regulations to screen workers, especially those with patient contact. Checks typically include criminal history (often with no time limitation for healthcare), sex offender registry, OIG exclusion list (Office of Inspector General), and state healthcare worker abuse registries. The scope depends on the position and state regulations.
What Disqualifies You
Healthcare background check laws vary by state but are generally more restrictive than other industries. Convictions involving abuse, neglect, violence against vulnerable adults, and sex offenses are typically permanently disqualifying for patient-facing roles. Drug convictions may be disqualifying for positions involving medication access. Theft convictions are assessed relative to the position. Non-clinical support roles may have more flexibility, but state laws still apply.
Tips for Getting Hired
Apply for non-clinical support positions (dietary, housekeeping, laundry, maintenance) if you have a criminal record. Research your state's healthcare worker background check laws before applying to understand what disqualifies. If you have a CNA or nursing certification, contact your state licensing board to understand how your record affects licensure. Be completely honest about your record — healthcare background checks are thorough.
Application Tips for People with Records
- 1.Target non-clinical support positions: dietary, housekeeping, laundry, and maintenance.
- 2.Research your state's healthcare worker background check laws before applying.
- 3.Healthcare background checks are thorough — be completely honest about your record.
- 4.If you have clinical certifications (CNA, nursing), contact your state licensing board first.
- 5.Dietary and housekeeping departments have the highest turnover and most frequent openings.
- 6.Maintenance skills are highly valued in healthcare facilities — highlight any building maintenance experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does Kindred Healthcare hire felons?
- Kindred Healthcare hires some people with felony records for non-clinical support positions. Clinical and patient-facing roles have stricter requirements due to healthcare regulations.
- Does Kindred Healthcare do background checks?
- Yes, Kindred conducts comprehensive background checks on all employees. Healthcare facilities are subject to additional state and federal screening requirements.
- Can I work in healthcare with a felony?
- It depends on the position, the nature of your conviction, and your state's healthcare worker background check laws. Non-clinical support roles (dietary, housekeeping, maintenance) are the most accessible.
- Does Kindred Healthcare drug test?
- Yes, most healthcare facilities require pre-employment drug testing for all positions.
- What healthcare jobs can felons get?
- Non-clinical support roles including dietary/food service, housekeeping/environmental services, laundry, and maintenance are the most accessible healthcare positions for people with records.
Take Action — Direct Links
- Kindred Healthcare Careers
Official career page.
- National HIRE Network
Employment resources for people with records.
Related Resources on This Site
Similar companies
Helpful guides
- DUI RecoveryHow to find a DUI lawyer
- Safety & ProtectionHow to help someone experiencing DV
- Free Legal AidFree legal aid by state
- ProbationFederal probation & supervised release