Once a felon has served their designated sentence, they must attempt to pursue a ‘normal’ life. Many will feel remorse for their previous actions and want to get a regular job and pays the bills. But, can you get a job if you have a felony? And in particular, can you get a job in the medical field with a felony?<\/p>\n
In this guide, we\u2019re going to look at good medical career options for people convicted of felonies. We\u2019ll then explore some of the jobs that aren’t an option, as well as the different types of conviction and how they will affect your chances of landing a well-paid job with prospects.<\/p>\n
Can I Get a Medical Job with a Felony?<\/h2>\n
The simple answer to this question is yes \u2013 you can definitely get a job if you\u2019ve been convicted of a felony. Once you\u2019ve served your time, you\u2019ll be able to apply for a variety of positions in different industries. There\u2019s no doubt that getting a job with a criminal record is much harder. You\u2019ll need to prove to your potential employer that you\u2019re trustworthy.<\/p>\n
There may also be jobs that you\u2019ll be ruled out of entirely due to your past convictions. Felons are not permitted to apply to work in financial services or childcare roles of any kind, for example. It would be a waste of time to apply for these sort of positions.<\/p>\n
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For help securing a job after serving a jail sentence, there are local and national advocacy groups and not-for-profits that you can contact for support. Ex-offender support groups can help you find and apply for roles which don\u2019t require a flawless record. The National Transitional Jobs Network<\/strong><\/a> also provides training, placements, and support for those who may find it hard to secure employment.<\/p>\n The medical field is one of the strictest fields in which you can apply for a job. Depending on the role, you\u2019ll be working closely with patients and vulnerable people, or\u00a0handling sensitive data and medical information. But, there are roles out there which don\u2019t require direct public contact, which means it can be a promising career option for people who have a felony on their record.<\/p>\n In some states, there are still barriers for felons wanting to work in healthcare. A Colorado bill requires all healthcare professionals (from doctors to dentists) to submit to a background check, complete with fingerprint analysis before they can acquire their license. A law in Indiana has also seen background checks expanded for home healthcare employees.<\/p>\n There are medical jobs out there for felons. It all depends on the state you reside in, and the severity of the felony in question. Let\u2019s take a look at some of the medical career options that are open to you if you\u2019re a convicted felon.<\/p>\n [su_list icon=”icon: check-circle”]<\/p>\n Medical billers and coders are crucial in the U.S. They form an essential bridge between healthcare providers, insurance companies, and the patients. Medical coders must get to grips with a set of established codes to describe a patient\u2019s medical history. These codes act as a sort of shorthand, which can be speedily scanned by hospitals, clinics, and insurance companies.<\/p>\n Here are some of the things that you would do:<\/p>\n Some medical billers and coders work at hospitals and clinics, but most are separate from the healthcare providers. They work off-site, away from patients<\/a><\/strong>, so that they can remain independent. Some communication with physicians and other medical professionals may be required, but medical billers mostly work remotely.<\/p>\n Becoming a medical coder and biller with a criminal record can be tough \u2013 but it\u2019s possible. The likelihood of someone landing a job in this field depends on the offense that they’ve committed. Someone convicted of resisting arrest or driving under the influence will likely have an easier time securing a job as a medical biller than someone convicted for murder or fraud.<\/p>\n Another option for convicted felons is to consider a career in medical administration. This position involves clerical work, which frees up much-needed time for doctors and physicians.<\/p>\n Their responsibilities include:<\/p>\n There are three certifying boards to become a medical administration assistant: the American Association of Medical Assistants<\/strong><\/a> (AAMA), the American Medical Technologists (AMT) and the National Healthcare Association (NHA).<\/p>\n The average earnings of a medical administrative assistant are around $30,590.<\/p>\n Becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant is also a popular career path for people with a felony. A Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) works under the direct supervision of a Registered Nurse (RN) or a Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN).<\/p>\n The job responsibilities for a CNA include:<\/p>\n CNAs are a critical liaison between the patient and the RN or LPN assigned to their case. CNAs spend more time with the patients, though they are disqualified from carrying out specific procedures on legal grounds.<\/p>\n To become a CNA, you need to become certified by the Department of Health or the State Board of Nursing in your state. Prior felony convictions can have an impact on your ability to become certified. However, most states in the U.S. do examine each case individually.<\/p>\n Felonies relating to abuse or neglect will mean an immediate rejection from the nursing profession. Drug-related convictions may also be a red flag for employers. But, convictions relating to traffic violations or financial crime might not result in immediate disqualification.<\/p>\n Approval or denial of your employment request will be at the discretion of each employer. Every organization will have different rules about the types of convictions they are not prepared to overlook.<\/p>\n Phlebotomy is an attractive field for people with and without criminal records. Many individuals see the appeal of playing such an essential role in the healthcare service. From blood donations to vital tests, blood collection is essential \u2013 but can felons become phlebotomists?<\/p>\n The answer is far from simple. To train to become a phlebotomist<\/strong><\/a>, you first need to undergo training. This can be carried out in an intensive course lasting a couple of months, or a longer route which may take up to 3 years. But completing the course and becoming a qualified phlebotomist is just the first hurdle.<\/p>\n After becoming qualified, you may wish (or need) to get certified. Not all states require certification \u2013 only California<\/a><\/strong>, Louisiana, Nevada, and Washington have a state-level requirement for phlebotomists. All other states, such as Chicago<\/strong><\/a> and Texas<\/strong><\/a>, don\u2019t explicitly require phlebotomists to be certified.<\/p>\n The issue of certification may come down to the employer. Some require prospective phlebotomists to be certified by non-governmental agencies. These can include the American Medical Technologists (AMT) or the National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT). The NCCT requires applicants to indicate felony convictions on the initial application form. They may also perform background checks on all applicants.<\/p>\n These challenges can make it much tougher to become a phlebotomist. However, it\u2019s not impossible. Perhaps you could consider volunteering at a blood bank to build valuable connections in the industry. Maybe a self-employed phlebotomist will allow you to shadow them for a few weeks to gain experience in phlebotomy<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n The bottom line is: it\u2019s tough to become a phlebotomist if you have a felony charge on your record. But it\u2019s not impossible. If you get the right qualifications and find the right opportunity, you could move past your criminal conviction with a bright new career.<\/p>\n The admission process for medical school is already pretty strict. Should colleges and universities rule out potentially talented medical students because of indiscretions or accidents? Or should they rule out all convicted individuals, with no exceptions?<\/p>\n It\u2019s a tricky line to walk. Many medical schools have their own criteria. Here are some of the factors which may affect your ability to get into medical school as a felon.<\/p>\n The Nature of the Crime<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n Some crimes are more serious than others. Specific criminal acts, while illegal, don\u2019t reflect on a person\u2019s ability to provide excellent medical care. However, some crimes (drug offenses, and violent or sexual crimes) flag up a possible risk to future patients.<\/p>\n Fraud can be a tricky one. Fraud may not involve any particular physical risk to patients, but it does show that the applicant has been dishonest in their past.<\/p>\n Many medical school admissions offices are disinclined to admit students they feel will struggle to gain certification. If you have any concerns, it\u2019s best to speak directly to the admissions office about your history.<\/p>\nWhat Are the Different Types of Medical Jobs for Felons?<\/h2>\n
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1] Medical Billing and Coding Careers with a Criminal Record<\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\n2] Medical Administration Assistant Jobs for Felons<\/h3>\n
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3] Can a Felon become a CNA?<\/h3>\n
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<\/p>\n4] Are Phlebotomy Jobs Suitable for Felons?<\/h3>\n
5] Can Felons Go to Medical School?<\/h3>\n
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