August 23, 2023

3676 Views

How to Launch Your Career as a Travel Imaging Technician

Posted on August 23, 2023August 23, 2023 by AB Staffing Solutions

AB Staffing Solutions provided this article.

If you’re looking for a way to build or enhance your skills as an Imaging Technician, consider becoming a traveler. Imaging technicians play a crucial role in patient care, capturing and processing visual data using advanced equipment and techniques. There are nationwide facilities looking for Allied Health Professionals to work in underserved areas needing your skills and experience. At AB Staffing, we specialize in matching professionals like yourself to jobs in places where you are needed most.

Whether at the beginning, middle, or end of your career, becoming a travel imaging technician can take you to places you’ve always wanted to visit and work. While we cannot guarantee placements, our recruiters do their best to match you to the best fit. On your days off, you can explore the great outdoors, visit museums, and experience a new culture and community.

What is it like being a travel Imaging Technician?

We asked our traveler, Melissa, about her experience going from a staff position for more than 12 years to becoming a traveler. As a single mom, she worked where needed so her son could enjoy his friends and school. When he completed his education, Melissa sent her resume to our recruiter, Jack, who was excited to share the opportunities available. While she admits it is tough to be away from loved ones, she enjoys her time away, helping people at work and making the most of outdoor adventures when she’s not working.

As with many of our travelers, they are having a great time living in a different part of the country, serving communities in need, and making the most of their unique work experiences.

What are the education requirements?

As with many of our travel positions, a college education and 1-2 years of experience are required. Becoming a travel imaging technician is no different. Two- and four-year programs are available depending on whether you are earning an associate’s or bachelor’s degree and certification requirements. As a program graduate, you are eligible to test for your tech certification (ARRT, ARDMS, RRT, CT, MRI, etc.). This certification qualifies you to work, and you are required to renew it once a year. As a travel imaging technician, certification renewal is your responsibility.

What are the licensing requirements?

To be eligible for travel opportunities, you are required to have 1-2 years of experience in the field. For commercial facilities, you are required to have active licensure in the state in which you are working. For federal facilities, you are required to be licensed in any state.

What are the next steps to becoming a travel imaging technician?

There are opportunities to become a traveler with the highest demand for travel imaging technicians with experience as CT Tech, X-Ray Tech, Rad Tech, MRI Tech, Mammo Tech, and Ultrasound Technician.

Find the right agency and recruiter. It is rare to have Melissa’s experience of connecting with the first agency and recruiter with whom you speak. It is much more likely that you will have to talk to a few and learn more about them before deciding.
Keep your resume, certifications, and licenses updated and available digitally. That way, when you find the right recruiter, you already have essential information handy and send it immediately upon request.
Let references know you’re looking to become a traveler. Confirm they are willing to be a reference, and if possible, send them a job description, letting them know they will be contacted soon. If there is anything specific you want them to mention, let them know so they aren’t surprised when asked.
Don’t be afraid to ask questions. AB Staffing has housing coordinators to help you find a place to live and also provides benefits to qualified candidates. Our recruiters are available every step of the way. Ask about the facility and specific job where you will work so you understand what is required before your first day.
Be open. This is a new experience; being available to change is highly valued by your agency, recruiter, and on-site manager. The more you ask, the more you will understand, thus making a smooth transition to your new position.

This is an exciting opportunity for your career! Congratulations on taking the next step.

Check the AB Staffing Allied Health Job Board to see where your next job can take you.

Our job board is a great place to search for your next travel nurse assignment. We have you covered with our housing page if housing is an issue. You can search for what you are looking for.

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

START HERE

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

By Medely

August 21, 2023

3807 Views

Top Travel Gadgets for Travel Nurses

Posted on August 21, 2023August 21, 2023 by Medely

Medely provided this article.

As a travel nurse, you never know where the next contract will take you. However, you should ensure you arrive organized with a bit of style. We have the list of the top travel gadgets for you, whether you’re trying to keep things in order, focused on safety, or comfort on your next trip to your travel contract destination.

Packing cubes

Whether rolling, folding, or just throwing things together, packing cubes can save you time and headaches when packing for your next trip. We use these to organize our clothes and belongings into neat boxes that are easy to unpack into your destination’s chest or drawers. These might not be your style, but there are many patterns, colors, and sizes to choose from online. Whatever you choose, packing cubes are a must-have.

Compressor bags

Is space at a premium? Compressor bags help you make the most of the space in your suitcase or car. All you have to do is place your clothes flatly into the bags and roll them up. Many bags have special hookups for vacuums that remove all the air from the bags to make them easier to roll up.

Tech kit

No matter how much we try to keep our cables and chargers in one place, they’re rarely where they should be. A tech kit helps keep those pesky accessories organized in one place and removes the stress of tracking where your tech lives.

Jewelry case

Losing an earring or necklace, you love is a day-ruining event. A functional and great-looking jewelry case for when you’re on the go can help protect some of your most valuable and sentimental items. Hard or soft exteriors are a matter of preference. Whatever you choose, it’s important to keep your items safe and protected.

Portable car jumpers

When traveling alone or long distances in cars, it’s key that you prepare for anything that might go wrong. A car losing juice overnight or a dead battery can put a damper on your travel plans. A portable car jumper can help restart your car and get you somewhere to get your vehicle checked. Portable car jumpers often have ports for charging devices or even tire inflating.

Power charger

So many things we use throughout the day have a battery. Bringing along an excellent power charger with enough charge to supply several devices is crucial, especially for long flights or trips. There are even options for solar-powered chargers, just in case you don’t have a plug handy.

Snack containers

Stopping along a road trip for snacks and drinks can literally and figuratively eat into your arrival time. Snack containers are clutch during a road trip because they’re a great way to bring your favorite snacks while saving money and time. You can also pack healthier snacks that you might not find on your travels.

Trackers

Keep track of your items and avoid the lost and found with trackers. Trackers use Bluetooth technology to provide the approximate location of your items. Trackers paired with your mobile device can send you alerts when you’ve left something behind, or you can see where your items are in a matter of seconds.

We hope you found this article on the top travel gadgets for travel nurses helpful. Are there any travel gadgets you use as a travel nurse that we didn’t list? Comment them below.

Traveling with Medely

Wherever your next travel adventure may take you, Medely can get you there with one of the thousands of travel contracts available on our platform. Getting started with Medely is quick and easy. A real person walks you through credentialing, onboarding, and finding your next travel contract. Click here to sign up and get started!

Medely is going to TravCon! Visit Booth 221 to speak with Medely staff, play games, and enter to win prizes!

Our job board is a great place to search for your next travel nurse assignment. If housing is an issue, we have you covered with our housing page. You can search for what you are looking for.

By Fusion Medical Staffing

August 8, 2023

2923 Views

6 Quick and Easy Exercises To Help You Wake Up

Posted on August 8, 2023September 1, 2023 by Fusion Medical Staffing

Fusion Medical Staffing provided this article.

Let’s face it: some of us are morning people, and some of us need a little jumpstart to get going. Long work hours and time spent adventuring can make us feel a little sluggish when the alarm buzzes, but as a travel nurse, you want to make sure you’ve got your best foot forward before your shift starts.

It can be hard to find any time to take care of your body at all when you’re a travel nurse – you’re in a new city, a new living space, and you might not have your regular gym equipment. These quick exercises are a perfect match for how to stay fit while traveling in addition to starting the day feeling fresh.

6 Quick and Easy Exercises To Help You Wake Up

Warrior Pose

You may recognize the warrior pose from any introductory yoga class. This is a great way to start off your morning travel nurse workout, feel powerful, and streeeeeetch out that spine, which is a little bit compressed after you’ve spent eight hours in bed (give or take).

Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, and raise your arms above your head, parallel to your body. Step one foot forward slightly, moving the opposite foot backward to come into a lunge position. Press your torso downward and stretch your arms up to the sky. Repeat with the opposite leg.

Side Plank

Side planks help strengthen the core, hip, and shoulder muscles, so they’re a great way to start off targeting multiple muscle groups at the same time.

Put your forearm on the mat under your shoulder, perpendicular to your body. Stack your upper leg directly on top of your lower leg, extending the knees and hips. Raise your body toward the sky, straightening your waist. Hold position. When you’ve done an equal number on each side, feel free to reward yourself with a healthy snack.

Squats

Some people consider squats the royalty of exercises, although others would choose to avoid that particular kingdom. Squats work your buttocks, quads, hamstrings (front and back of your thighs), adductors, hip flexors, calves – all sorts of big important muscles to keep you stable and practice your balance. These will definitely wake you up.

Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart or slightly wider if that’s more comfortable. Push your seat downward, keeping your back and hips straight, as if you’re sitting in an imaginary chair. Stand and repeat. Just be careful with your knees!

Bicycle Crunches

Technically, they’re not sit-ups. Crunches go way faster, it’s easier to work the core abdominal muscles you’re trying to target, and you can multitask when you get your legs involved!

Lie on your back with your knees bent and your feet flat on the floor. Put your hands behind your head as if you’re preparing for a standard crunch position. Then, raise your shoulder blades off the ground and bend your knees to 90°. Pedal your legs back and forth in the air, alternating your elbows to opposite knees, like riding a bicycle.

Donkey Kicks

This exercise is a less common move, but works great. It targets your gluteus maximus as well as the gluteus minimus, which stabilizes your hip and pelvis. It also works your core muscles, so you get more bang for your buck!

Position yourself on all fours, with hands underneath your shoulders and knees under your hips. Keep one knee bent at 90° degrees and flex the foot as you slowly kick back your leg parallel to the ground. Lower the knee back to the other knee and repeat.

Add Bird-Dog Pose:

With this position, you can get more out of your workout by extending the arm opposite of your kicking leg and balancing on the mat.

Lunges

Almost done! Lunges are sort of like trust falls between you and your ankles. When you do lunges, make sure you’re going slow and steady to avoid losing your balance or injuring yourself.

Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart. Step one foot forward slightly, moving the opposite foot backward. Push your hips forward to deepen the stretch in your thigh and hip muscles. Repeat with the opposite leg.

You know how important it is to take care of the human body and mind – start with yourself.

We hope you found these 6 quick and easy exercises to help you wake up helpful. Do you have any quick and easy exercises to share? Comment them below.

Our job board is a great place to search for your next travel nurse assignment. We have you covered with our housing page if housing is an issue. You can search for what you are looking for.

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

START HERE

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

By RTG Medical

August 4, 2023

8308 Views

What are Guaranteed Hours?

Posted on August 4, 2023August 4, 2023 by RTG Medical

RTG Medical provided this article.

The “guaranteed hours” clause is common in healthcare traveler contracts, but it’s often misunderstood. So, what exactly does it mean?

Some travelers believe they’ll be paid for the hours outlined in their contract regardless of whether they work them. Others assume it’s a form of financial support from the agency while they’re away from home base. Additionally, some view it as insurance to protect their salary if the census drops or they’re not scheduled as frequently as promised. However, the meaning of “guaranteed hours” can differ depending on how it’s covered in the contract, causing uncertainty for many.

Protects the Traveler and the Agency

Healthcare staffing agencies use contracts that include guaranteed hours to protect both the agency and the medical facility. This agreement ensures that revenue is generated by both parties to cover costs. The agency’s ability to cover expenses is directly impacted by the hours the traveler works at the medical facility. This policy benefits both the traveler and the agency by ensuring payment, even if a facility becomes overstaffed. Maintaining a proper patient-to-staff ratio in hospitals is a constant challenge due to fluctuating census, sick employee calls, vacations, and other variables.

So Who Guarantees Your Hours?

When a traveler signs a contract, the contracted agency is obligated to guarantee and pay for their hours. Nevertheless, the facility to which the traveler is assigned often commits to a minimum number of hours as well. This guarantee from the facility to the agency guarantees that the facility can meet its financial obligations while also fulfilling its agreement with the traveler. It’s important to note that the contracted agency bears the responsibility of fulfilling its obligations to the traveler.

Read and Understand Your Contract

The guaranteed hours policy can vary between hospitals and regions and sometimes even within different facilities. It’s crucial to thoroughly review the contract, including the fine print, to avoid any surprises during your assignment. While some hospitals may guarantee all promised hours, others may allow up to three shifts to be canceled within a 13-week period without compensation. Some contracts offer more flexibility, allowing one shift cancellation per week while still meeting guaranteed hours obligations.

It’s essential to keep in mind that contracts can change at different times of the year, and floating to other units within your scope of practice may be necessary to fulfill the guarantee. In a major metropolitan area, you may need to float between multiple hospitals to fulfill your guaranteed hours. Please note that asking for specific days off may result in not receiving guaranteed hours if it doesn’t fit within the hospital’s schedule.

While guaranteed hours may seem straightforward, the execution can sometimes be more complex. To avoid any misunderstandings, thoroughly read and understand your contract.

Our job board is a great place to search for your next travel nurse assignment. We have you covered with our housing page if housing is an issue. You can search for what you are looking for.

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

START HERE

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

By Leslie Catalano

July 3, 2023

3293 Views

Journaling with Purpose: Journaling Tips for Travel Nurses

Posted on July 3, 2023July 3, 2023 by Leslie Catalano

As everyone knows, healthcare can be a difficult environment to work in. Long hours, being short-staffed, and taking care of sick patients make nursing and other healthcare jobs hard. Many nurses find journaling a good way to de-stress in between shifts.

Benefits of Journaling.

Journaling has been shown to have several benefits, including:

Reduces symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression
Improves mood and overall mental health.
Improves sleep.
Enhances the immune system.
Decreases compassion fatigue and burnout among nurses.
Helps a person understand and manage their emotions.

If you are new to journaling, you may find it difficult to get started. You sit down with your notebook. Open it to the first page with the intent to write something great, but your mind goes blank. You have no idea what to write about. So, you start off just writing about your day but then find that journaling is not really helping you with your mental health and is just a log of all the things you have done throughout the week. It can even be hard for people who have journaled for years to figure out what to write about. This is when journal prompts can be helpful.

What is a Journal Prompt?

A journal prompt is a question, sentence, or quote that helps you jump-start your thoughts. For example, the question, “Was today a good day?” might be a prompt. From here, you would just write about whether you felt like you had a good day. These easy questions help you focus your thoughts, and depending on what you write, it can help you figure out your feelings about your day.

Journal prompts can also help give your journaling a purpose.

If you are turning to a journal to help you through a situation you are struggling with or to move forward from a difficult experience, it is important not to just write about your feelings but how to change your perspective about a situation.

In nursing, we are exposed to many traumatic experiences and challenging issues, but we don’t always give ourselves the time and space to process those emotions. Or we get stuck in a mental loop where we might feel sad or guilty about a situation and are not able to move past the experience.

It can be life-changing

I have personally experienced this several times in my nursing career. The first time, one of my patients died. An emergency gone wrong. A medication error. All these things can make us feel terrible about ourselves. Journaling about this situation can be beneficial, but if done correctly, journaling can be life-changing.

The difference between just journaling and changing your life all has to do with the way you journal. If you just focus on your negative feelings, you can exacerbate those feelings and feel worse. What you want to do is change your perspective about your experience. Change the way you think and feel about the event. This can be achieved by using the right type of prompts. Ones that will help you dive deeper into why you are feeling the way you do and help you find a different way to view your struggle or your issues.

Types of prompt books

There are several different types of journal prompt books you can use. For example, a gratitude journal will have prompts that help you look at the positive parts of your life. Wellness journals may have prompts to help you focus on your health.

As nurses, we are exposed to unique experiences that not everyone understands. The following journal prompt books were written by a nurse and designed to focus your journaling. The questions are designed to help you explore all your feelings, good and bad, while at the same time helping you build skills to improve your daily health and wellness.

Whatever type of journal prompts you choose to use, every nurse should start the habit of journaling. It does not have to be with just a pen and paper either.

There are several different types of journaling, such as:

Reflective- This is when you write about what has happened in your day and what you think about it.
Mindfulness- This is when you focus on what is going on in the moment and write about your surroundings.
Gratitude- This is when you focus and write about things you are grateful for.

So, whether you are new to journaling or have been journaling for a while, journal prompts can increase the benefits you get from writing. They can help you figure out what to write and change your perspective on things, which in turn, can change your life.

Do you journal as a travel nurse or travel healthcare worker? Do you find that it helps you? If you would like to share your story or any tips you may have, comment below.

Our job board is a great place to search for your next travel nurse assignment. We have you covered with our housing page if housing is an issue. You can search for what you are looking for.

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

START HERE

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

By RTG Medical

May 4, 2023

5315 Views

Skills Every Healthcare Traveler Should Have

Posted on May 4, 2023 by RTG Medical

RTG Medical provided this article.

Traveling healthcare professionals, whether nurses or other medical professionals, play a critical role in providing medical services to patients and filling staffing gaps around the country. To succeed in this field, healthcare travelers should possess unique skills and qualities that allow them to adapt quickly to new environments, work independently, and provide high-quality patient care. Here are the critical skills that every traveling healthcare professional should have to excel in their roles.

Adaptability

Traveling healthcare professionals often work in new and unfamiliar environments, adapting to new cities, facilities, staff, policies, and contracts. Having the ability to adjust to new situations is essential to success. In addition to adapting to new environments, several aspects of adaptability are necessary for traveling medical professionals:

Flexibility: Quickly adjusting to schedule changes, patient needs, and healthcare protocols is crucial.
Open-mindedness: Being open to new ideas and approaches can lead to better patient care and more effective teamwork with colleagues.
Resilience: Medical professionals often face difficult situations and high-stress environments. Having the ability to bounce back from setbacks is an integral part of adaptability.

By cultivating these skills, healthcare travelers can thrive in their work and provide the best patient care possible.

Clinical Expertise

Of course, having strong communication skills is essential for any medical professional. As a healthcare traveler, you should be confident in providing quality care in various clinical settings.

As a healthcare traveler, you’ll encounter diverse patients, each with a unique medical history, cultural background, and language barrier. Improving your clinical expertise can provide better care and build stronger patient relationships.

Taking continuing education courses, attending medical conferences, and learning about the latest medical advancements can improve your clinical expertise. Moreover, you can also seek mentorship from experienced healthcare professionals to improve your skills and knowledge. You can build stronger relationships with your patients and provide the best care possible by constantly improving your clinical expertise.

Communication

Effective communication is crucial in any healthcare setting. As a traveling medical professional, you must communicate with patients and other healthcare professionals. Strong communication skills are fundamental in the healthcare industry, where clear and concise communication can be a matter of life and death. As a traveling medical professional, you’ll encounter a diverse range of patients and healthcare providers, each with their own unique communication styles and needs.

Here are some tips for effective communication in a healthcare setting:

Listen Actively: Take the time to truly listen to patients and colleagues and ask clarifying questions when needed.
Be clear and concise: Use simple language and avoid complicated medical terminology when speaking with patients. In addition, be precise and use appropriate terminology when talking with other medical professionals.
Use nonverbal cues: Body language and tone of voice can convey just as much information as words. Make eye contact, use appropriate facial expressions, and pay attention to your tone and pitch.
Be respectful: Treat everyone with respect and empathy, regardless of their background or circumstances. This includes patients, their families, and your colleagues.
Use technology wisely: With the rise of telemedicine and remote work, it’s important to be comfortable using technology to communicate. Ensure you understand how to use any communication tools you’ll be using and be mindful of privacy and security concerns.

By practicing these communication skills, you’ll be better equipped to provide quality patient care and collaborate effectively with your colleagues, no matter where your travels take you.

Time Management

Being a traveling healthcare professional means working in different locations with varying schedules. Effective time management skills are crucial in keeping you organized and meeting deadlines. Here are some tips to help you manage your time more efficiently:

Use a planner or calendar to keep track of your schedule and deadlines, including travel time.
Prioritize your tasks based on their importance and urgency to avoid procrastination and stay focused on the essential tasks.
Minimize distractions while working by turning off your phone or finding a quiet workspace.
Take short breaks throughout the day to avoid burnout and increase productivity. Use this time to stretch or take a walk.
Stay flexible and adaptable because unexpected changes may occur that require you to adjust your schedule or priorities.

By implementing these time management strategies, you can stay organized, efficient, and productive while working as a traveling medical professional.

As a traveler, you may face additional challenges, such as jet lag or adjusting to different time zones. To help combat these challenges, consider the following tips:

Get a good night’s sleep before traveling to your next location
Try to adjust your sleep schedule gradually before arriving at your destination
Stay hydrated and eat healthy meals to keep your energy levels up
Take advantage of any downtime during travel, such as waiting at the airport, to catch up on work or rest
If possible, schedule your work tasks around your natural energy patterns. For example, if you are more alert in the morning, schedule your most important tasks for that time.

By incorporating these additional tips into your time management strategies, you can ensure that you are organized and productive and care for your physical and mental well-being while working in different locations.

Emotional Intelligence

As a traveling nurse, it’s essential to recognize that patient care extends beyond medical interventions. Cultural differences can significantly impact patient care, making it crucial to take the time to learn about a patient’s cultural background and beliefs. This helps to provide respectful and culturally appropriate care, which can make all the difference in a patient’s recovery.

Patients may experience feelings of vulnerability or anxiety, particularly if they are in an unfamiliar setting. Explaining procedures and treatments clearly and compassionately can help alleviate these feelings and put patients at ease.

Sometimes, you may encounter patients with complex medical histories or conditions requiring specialized care. Working closely with the patient’s healthcare team is essential to ensure the patient receives the best possible care.

Overall, empathy and openness to understanding each patient’s unique needs and circumstances are crucial for providing high-quality care. As a traveling nurse, approaching each patient with these qualities will improve their physical and emotional health.

To succeed as a healthcare traveler, one must possess various skills, including adaptability, clinical expertise, communication, time management, and emotional intelligence. Adaptability is crucial when working in new and unfamiliar environments, and clinical expertise can enhance patient care. Effective communication can convey information with clarity and empathy; time management skills can help you stay organized and efficient. Emotional intelligence is essential in recognizing cultural differences and providing respectful, culturally appropriate care. By mastering these skills, healthcare travelers can provide high-quality patient care and make the most out of each assignment.

Our job board is a great place to search for your next travel nurse assignment. We have you covered with our housing page if housing is an issue. You can search for what you are looking for.

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

START HERE

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

By AB Staffing Solutions

April 14, 2023

5095 Views

How to Get Hired Quickly as a Travel Healthcare Professional

Posted on April 14, 2023April 14, 2023 by AB Staffing Solutions

AB Staffing Solutions provided this article.

Travel healthcare professionals are in demand across the country, but how fast can you get hired? For travel nurse positions, we require 1-2 years of experience before you explore travel positions. For others, it may be a different timeline, so talk to the agency and recruiter to understand the recommendations. Once you’ve selected an agency, you will work with them to find the best match.

As always, we encourage you to communicate with your recruiter from the beginning as well as while you are working. They are your connection to answering questions about the contract. They want to learn how you’re doing in your placement and how you like your new home. While you would need to contact your on-site manager for specific facility-related questions, your recruiter is your resource for everything else.

In this article, the AB Staffing recruiters offer tips for making the hiring process for travel healthcare professionals as smooth and quick as possible.

1. Organize your documents.

Send them to the agency quickly. This includes a resume, certifications, credentials, license, and references. Having this available digitally will make it easy to send from your phone or laptop. A delay in the submission of this information can result in the position being filled by someone else. We don’t want that to happen to you, so make sure to be prepared.

2. Communicate with your references.

Don’t let a call from an agency or employer be a surprise. Contact your references to let them know they may be receiving a call, the type of position you’ve applied for, and guidance for how your work with them matches the job. They should expect a call and be ready to answer our questions about your experience working with them.

3 . Be sure your resume is up to date.

As you advance in your career, make a point to update your resume. This way, you will always have a clearly formatted document to send to potential employers and recruiters. Your recruiter can also help you format your resume, but the info you send must be the most current. Keep this in a digital file as well. The more organized you can be, the better for you in this step of your career.

4. Be sure your physical and certifications are up to date.

It takes time to get these, so having them current will make the hiring process move faster. If these aren’t up to date, we may have to wait until they are to place you in a travel healthcare professional position.

5. Be flexible with the locations where you would like to work.

Our recruiters understand you have dream locations where you’d like to work. While we try to make these happen, being flexible with what is currently available increases the chances of being placed. The more specific you are, the more challenging it is for our recruiters to place you.

6. Flexibility with scheduling is necessary.

As a travel healthcare professional, you are hired to fill in where the facility has no one else. Every place has a different shift available. There may be weekdays from 9 to 5, or you may have 12-hour shifts or overnights. Being flexible will go a long way for you to be invited back or to extend your contract, especially if you want to stay longer. We cannot guarantee anything, but your openness makes it easier for us to place you and/or extend a contract when available.

7. Communicate with your recruiter.

We cannot express this enough. Whether you’re looking for your first placement or you’re a seasoned traveler, always keep in contact with your recruiter. They can find a contract faster if you’re in communication with them for submittals and questions. They also want to hear from you and learn about your experience.

8. Answer your phone.

After you’ve submitted for a position, keep your phone close and answer it. Try not to miss potential interview calls by screening your incoming calls. This can make the process take longer, and/or you may lose opportunities.

Getting hired quickly as a travel healthcare professional has as much to do with what AB Staffing has available as it does with how prepared and engaging you are. Our recruiters love when you have documents and references ready because they want to place you where you’d prefer. While we cannot always do this, we do our best to make great matches that support your career goals.

Want to learn more? Contact AB Staffing today!

Our job board is a great place to search for your next travel nurse assignment. We have you covered with our housing page if housing is an issue. You can search for what you are looking for.

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

START HERE

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

By Anders Group

December 27, 2022

4420 Views

Top 4 Reasons to Start a Healthcare Travel Career in 2023

Posted on December 27, 2022February 21, 2023 by Anders Group

Anders Group provided this article.

Written by: Angie Chung from Anders Group.

If you have been feeling stagnant, are looking for new experiences, or want to discover more options before settling down, consider healthcare travel. Traveling offers a plethora of benefits and opportunities to explore new places, earn top dollar, experience diverse work environments, grow your skills, and meet new people. Many have found becoming a healthcare traveler to be rewarding and fulfilling. What better way to start a brand new year than starting fresh?

Here are some of the top four reasons why you should consider healthcare traveling:

Tackle Your Travel Bucket List

Have you ever wanted to spend time in Alaska? Hawaii? The Virgin Islands? If you have a travel bucket list, becoming a healthcare traveler is the best way to tackle your ideal locations. When working perm, your professional responsibility limits you from exploring and taking as many vacations as you might desire. Healthcare travel gives you the opportunity to visit and experience living at your top desired locations, all while working and getting paid! The beauty of it all is the flexibility that allows you to enjoy a vacation as you work.

Get Top Pay & First Day Benefits

Healthcare travel contracts are necessary to fill urgent facility staffing needs, leading to travelers getting paid top competitive rates. Your hourly rate will depend on your specialty, contract location, and the urgency of the facility’s needs. Regardless, you will be getting paid significantly higher than your perm peers. In addition to your hourly rate, travelers will often receive weekly tax-free stipends to account for your lodging and meal expenses. When traveling with agencies like Anders Group, you will receive your hourly rate and stipends along with travel reimbursements, license reimbursements, medical insurance, dental insurance, life insurance, and more starting from day one. Getting paid to travel to discover new destinations, does it get any better than that?

Gain More Overall Experience

Traveling also gives you the opportunity to gain professional, life, and travel experience simultaneously. As a travel healthcare professional, you have the potential to work in various settings and environments that challenge your skills. Your ability to adapt will especially be challenged as you experience a new city, facility, department, and new peers, all while learning new systems. Working as a traveler opens doors for you to see a variety of techniques and can possibly help you realize your optimal workflow. As travelers begin to make the transition to perm, most are generally more confident in their decision. Having experienced so much while traveling, they are considered to be well-rounded, and sought-after permanent hires with plenty of options. Travel assignments will strengthen your skills and give you the confidence to recognize where the best permanent home for you is.

Find New Friends

Contracting can also serve as the ultimate networking tool. As you venture through various assignments, you will meet with many different healthcare professionals who may influence and guide your professional journey. With each assignment, you’ll gain new connections. Networking is extremely important as some of these connections could open you up to new professional endeavors or become lifelong friends and mentors. Use traveling as an opportunity to set out on a journey and gain friends across all 50 states!

Travel healthcare can offer you flexibility and open up an abundance of opportunities, benefits, and learning moments. Whether you are looking for a fresh start, change, or new opportunities and would like to make money while traveling, now’s the time to start your first adventure with Anders Group! We have available jobs in every travel nursing, therapy, and allied health specialties across all 50 states and U.S. Territories. Search for our available jobs here and apply today to connect with a team member of our team, or contact info@andersgroup.org for more information.

Our job board is a great place to search for your next travel nurse assignment. We have you covered with our housing page if housing is an issue. You can search for what you are looking for.

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

START HERE

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

By Nadine Westwood

November 28, 2022

4268 Views

Career Paths and Advancement Opportunities within the Field of Medical Assisting

Posted on November 28, 2022October 28, 2022 by Nadine Westwood

If you’ve been interested in working in a hospital setting, medical assisting can be a rewarding career. Not only do medical assistants earn a fairly decent salary, but the field of medical assisting also promises a wealth of career growth, specialization, and advancement opportunities.

A career in this field may also lead to one of the three major types of medical assistants. In this piece, we will look at this alongside what’s needed to become an MA and the various specialization options you can consider to propel your career forward in the medical assisting field.

Types of Medical Assistants

As we will look at later, a medical assistant’s typical day can involve different tasks in a healthcare facility, hospital, or clinical setting. However, there are four major types or categories of medical assistants based on their day-to-day duties.

These are:

Clinical MA
Administrative MA
Specialized Medical Assistants
Registered/Certified MA

What Does Medical Assisting Involve?

Working as a medical assistant typically involves assisting hospitals, physicians, and healthcare institutions in carrying out various clinical and administrative tasks.

This means that you can expect to perform tasks like recording patient information, assisting with patient exams, measuring patient vital signs, scheduling doctor appointments, handling medical records, collecting samples for lab exams, and even administering medication or injections to patients as per the doctor’s instructions.

As mentioned earlier, your specific tasks as an MA may vary based on your specific duty station or specialization.

How to Become a Medical Assistant

Becoming a medical assistant typically starts with getting a basic education. Once you graduate with a high school diploma, preferably with some background in chemistry, math, biology, anatomy, and computer studies, you can then pursue a postsecondary education award such as an MA certificate, diploma, or degree.

Nonetheless, it is also possible to learn through on-the-job training since the medical assisting field isn’t usually so strict on formal educational requirements.

Medical Assistant Certifications and Registrations

And even though certifications are not mandatory for medical assistants in most states and countries, some employers prefer certified candidates. In the US, you can get certification from one of the various accredited certifying agencies available.

Alongside the certifications you can earn from them, some of these agencies include:

National Center for Competency Testing (NCCT) – National Certified Medical Assistant
American Association of Medical Assistants AAMA)– Certified Medical Assistant
National Healthcareer Association (NHA) – Certified Clinical Medical Assistant
National Healthcareer Association (NHA)– Certified Medical Administrative Assistant

It is also worth noting that to become a certified MA, a candidate must pass a specific exam. The applicant must also have taken a specific route and graduated from a recognized program to be eligible for the certification.

Getting A Job As a Medical Assistant

With 2021 job projections estimating a growth of more than 15 percent in ten years in this field, it’s becoming easier to secure a medical assistant job.

This can be attributed to the growing demand for healthcare services over the recent past. Many private practices and state, federal, and private hospitals advertise job openings from time to time online and on print media.

Traveling Medical Assistants

It is also worth noting that the job opportunities, salaries, work environments, and hiring requirements may vary from one state to the other. Some employers prefer hiring locally, whereas others make employment decisions based strictly on merit.

And most definitely, some create temporary positions for travel nurses, medical assistants, and other flexible healthcare professionals from time to time.

If you’re eying to work in a specific facility nationwide, it can be an added advantage to travel, relocate, or even consider advancing your studies through a program in its home state.

If your preferred place to live is in New Jersey, taking your medical assistant program in New Jersey might be a great idea. It’s even better if the institution offers various ways to see your studies through, from grants to student loans and veteran benefits. In fact, a medical assistant’s salary in NJ averages $33,387 annually.

Career Growth Opportunities in Medical Assisting

There are many career advancement opportunities in the field of medical assisting. The opportunities become even more as one gains experience and has many options to choose from when it comes to specializations.

Some medical assistants may choose to specialize in a particular area of medicine, such as Pediatrics or Orthopedics. Others may become certified MAs, which requires passing an exam.

Still, others may choose to advance their career by becoming medical office managers or medical billing and coding specialists. Depending on your path, it might require getting specialized training certificates or certifications.

Here are some examples of specializations you may consider exploring once you get general experience as an MA:

Cardiology
Pediatrics
Obstetrics
Orthopedics
Urology
Podiatry
Endocrinology
Dermatology
Oncology
Neurology

From the salary to job security, career skills, and advancement opportunities, a career in medical assisting comes with many advantages. And besides specializations and certifications, there are many ways to grow your career as an MA, including becoming a teacher, a nurse, or even a health scientist if you’re wondering what’s next after medical assisting.

Our job board is a great place to search for your next travel nurse assignment. We have you covered with our housing page if housing is an issue. You can search for what you are looking for.

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

START HERE

What is it like being a travel Imaging Technician?

What are the education requirements?

What are the licensing requirements?

What are the next steps to becoming a travel imaging technician?

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

Related Posts

Essential Apps and Resources for Travel Nurses

Tips for Securing Housing in a College Town

Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a Location for a Travel Nursing Assignment

Categories

Travel Healthcare Jobs

Recent Articles

Packing cubes

Compressor bags

Tech kit

Jewelry case

Portable car jumpers

Power charger

Snack containers

Trackers

Traveling with Medely

Related Posts

Why We Need Travel Nurses Now More Than Ever

From Staffer to Traveler: Travel Nurses Share their Stories on Making the Leap

Reflecting on Life as an ICU Nurse During COVID-19: Mental Health

Categories

Travel Healthcare Jobs

Recent Articles

6 Quick and Easy Exercises To Help You Wake Up

Warrior Pose

Side Plank

Squats

Bicycle Crunches

Donkey Kicks

Lunges

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

Related Posts

5 Yoga Poses That Help with Indigestion While Travel Nursing

Tips to Help Relieve Your Holiday Stress

Five Things to Know Before You Start Traveling

Categories

Travel Healthcare Jobs

Recent Articles

Protects the Traveler and the Agency

So Who Guarantees Your Hours?

Read and Understand Your Contract

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

Related Posts

Why We Need Travel Nurses Now More Than Ever

Evolving the Travel Healthcare Staffing Industry

Bridging the Gap: Cultivating Lasting Connections with Patients on Short Assignments

Categories

Travel Healthcare Jobs

Recent Articles

Benefits of Journaling.

What is a Journal Prompt?

Journal prompts can also help give your journaling a purpose.

It can be life-changing

Types of prompt books

There are several different types of journaling, such as:

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

Related Posts

3 Ways to Minimize Health Risks as a Traveling Nurse

5 Ways Lack of Sleep Affects Your Health

Self-Care for Nurses: Preventing Burnout and Promoting Well-Being

Categories

Travel Healthcare Jobs

Recent Articles

Adaptability

Clinical Expertise

Communication

Time Management

Emotional Intelligence

If you are a new travel nurse or looking into becoming a travel nurse:

Travel Nurse Guide: Step-by-Step (now offered in a PDF Downloadable version!)

Related Posts