Merve Nussman
Yes, medical assistants can work as travelling healthcare professionals, providing administrative and clinical support in hospitals, clinics, and other medical facilities with staffing shortages. These roles are typically short-term contracts, ranging from 4 weeks to 6 months, and can be found locally or out of state. Travelling medical assistants are usually not permanent employees, and their services are often utilised to fill temporary vacancies. They can work in a variety of settings, including nursing homes, medical centres, and doctors' offices, and may even have the opportunity to work with relief organisations or companies that provide medical services in remote locations. This career path offers flexibility, the potential for higher earnings, and the chance to build a strong professional network.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Job Role | Fulfilling a wide range of administrative and clinical responsibilities |
| Workplaces | Clinics, hospitals, nursing facilities, medical centers, doctors' offices, community health centers, long-term care facilities, schools, industrial health units, retirement communities, diagnostic laboratories, chiropractor offices, medical billing and coding departments, emergency departments, cardiology offices, etc. |
| Work Style | Not permanent employees; usually work to fill shortages or temporary vacancies within a medical facility |
| Contracts | Typically 4-12 weeks long; can be extended or turned into a permanent job |
| Salary | ~$42,000 per year or $20.19 per hour, but can be up to 20% higher than non-travelling colleagues |
| Working Hours | May be required to work evenings, nights, and weekends |
| Qualifications | High school diploma or GED, graduation from an accredited medical assisting program, and certification (optional but preferred) |
| Experience | Minimum of 2 years of medical assisting experience |
What You'll Learn
Travel medical assistants fill staffing shortages
Travel medical assistants perform both clinical and administrative duties, including measuring vital signs, giving injections or medications, collecting samples, assisting with examinations, scheduling appointments, and helping with billing and insurance. They need to be quick learners and adapt to new work environments with minimal training.
The demand for medical assistants, including travel medical assistants, is high, with an expected 18% increase in jobs from 2020 to 2030. Travel medical assistants usually earn more than their non-travelling counterparts, with salaries depending on experience, education, and location.
To become a travel medical assistant, individuals typically need a high school diploma or GED, followed by graduation from an accredited medical assisting program. Some states and facilities also require certification, such as the Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) certification. Additionally, having at least two years of medical assisting experience is often required due to the nature of the role, which involves working in new facilities with limited training.
Travel medical assistants play a crucial role in ensuring that healthcare facilities have the staff they need to provide quality patient care. Their willingness to travel and fill temporary positions makes them valuable assets in the healthcare industry.
Traveling with Batteries in Checked Luggage: What You Need to Know
You may want to see also
They can work in hospitals, clinics, or doctors' offices
Medical assistants play a critical role in the healthcare industry, and they can work in hospitals, clinics, or doctors' offices.
In hospitals, medical assistants may be required to work at various times of the day as hospitals frequently operate around the clock. Their day may alternate between administrative and clinical tasks. Since most hospitals offer emergency services, being able to work well under stress is advantageous for medical assistants in this setting.
Doctors' offices and medical clinics are where more than half of all medical assistants work. In private practices, medical assistants often see recurring patients and work in a community-oriented environment. They may be in charge of both clinical and administrative duties. Obstetrics/gynecology and psychology/psychiatry are examples of specific types of doctors' offices and medical clinics that employ medical assistants.
Medical assistants can also work in outpatient care centers, which are medical offices that offer services that do not require an overnight stay. Medical assistants in these settings may be responsible for both administrative and clinical duties. Outpatient clinics are usually less stressful than hospitals, and they are often open on weekends.
Travel medical assistants, who take on short-term contracts, typically work in hospitals and clinics with staffing shortages for a few weeks or months at a time. They usually sign contracts ranging from 4 to 12 weeks. Travel medical assistants need to have enough experience to be comfortable working in a new office or clinic with very little training. They perform the same clinical and administrative duties as standard medical assistants, including measuring vital signs, scheduling appointments, and assisting with patient examinations.
Sharing a Known Traveler Number: What You Should Know
You may want to see also
They need to be able to adapt to new workplaces quickly
Travel medical assistants need to be able to adapt to new workplaces quickly. They are often hired to fill temporary vacancies or staff shortages, so they must be able to get up to speed with minimal training. This means travel medical assistants should be comfortable working in a new office or clinic with little to no orientation.
To adapt to new workplaces quickly, travel medical assistants should be able to familiarise themselves with facility policies and procedures rapidly. They should also be prepared to jump into their workload with little training, as they will not receive the same training as permanent employees. This means they need to be confident in their abilities to perform both clinical and administrative duties.
Clinical duties of a travel medical assistant may include:
- Measuring vital signs
- Giving injections or medications as directed by the physician
- Collecting blood and other body fluid samples for testing
- Assisting with patient examinations
- Preparing patients for medical tests
Administrative duties may include:
- Scheduling appointments
- Helping with billing and insurance
- Collecting patient information
- Recording information in the computer system
- Submitting refill requests
Travel medical assistants should also be prepared to work in a range of healthcare settings, including clinics, hospitals, retirement communities, and chiropractic offices. Each setting will have its own unique procedures and requirements, so adaptability is key.
In addition to adaptability, travel medical assistants should also possess strong interpersonal and communication skills. They will need to interact with patients, family members, physicians, and other healthcare professionals. Being a good team player is essential in this role, as travel medical assistants must coordinate with both patients and healthcare providers.
Price Drop Protection: The Ultimate Travel Companion
You may want to see also
There are agencies that can help find travel medical assistant jobs
If you're interested in working as a travel medical assistant, joining an agency is a great option. Agencies can help you find suitable job opportunities and negotiate contracts on your behalf. They also provide protection from potential payment issues and may offer additional benefits, such as insurance and retirement plans.
Agencies specialising in travel medical assistant jobs maintain connections with employers across various healthcare facilities. They can help you find short-term contracts, typically lasting a few weeks or months, in different locations. Agencies will also assist in negotiating contracts, which usually include an hourly rate plus a weekly stipend for meals and housing.
Benefits of using an agency
Using an agency to find travel medical assistant jobs offers several advantages. Firstly, agencies have your back when it comes to payment, ensuring you receive your earnings without issues. Secondly, agencies often provide additional benefits, such as insurance and retirement plans. Moreover, agencies have dedicated recruiters who will assist you in finding the best job opportunities that align with your preferences.
Finding an agency
To get started, you can search for medical staffing or recruitment agencies online. Websites like Indeed.com, ZipRecruiter, and CareerBuilder are excellent resources for job seekers, allowing you to post your resume and customise your job search. You can also explore the option of connecting with medical assisting groups and communities on social media platforms like Facebook and LinkedIn.
Job responsibilities of a travel medical assistant
Travel medical assistants perform both clinical and administrative duties. On the clinical side, they measure vital signs, administer injections or medications, collect samples, assist with examinations, and prepare patients for tests. As for administrative tasks, travel medical assistants schedule appointments, handle billing and insurance, collect patient information, and maintain records.
Qualifications and skills
To become a travel medical assistant, you'll typically need a high school diploma or GED, as well as graduation from an accredited medical assisting program. While certification is not always mandatory, it is preferred by some employers and can enhance your job prospects. Additionally, having at least two years of experience in medical assisting is crucial, as travel assignments usually involve starting work with minimal training or orientation.
Salary and job outlook
Travel medical assistants generally earn a higher salary than their non-travelling counterparts, often making about 20% more. The median annual salary for medical assistants is $42,000, or approximately $20.19 per hour. With the ageing population and increasing demand for healthcare workers, the job outlook for medical assistants is positive, with an expected growth of 18% from 2020 to 2030.
Traveling Inside the US with an Expired Visa: What You Need to Know
You may want to see also
It's a good way to gain experience in different settings
Travel medical assistants are in high demand across the country, and for good reason. They are an excellent way to gain experience in different settings, as they travel to various locations and work in a range of medical facilities.
As a travel medical assistant, you could be working in a hospital one month and a clinic the next. You might work in a retirement community, a chiropractic office, or a medical research centre. Each of these settings offers a unique experience and allows you to develop a wide range of skills. For example, working in a hospital will expose you to a fast-paced, high-pressure environment, while working in a clinic might involve more regular interactions with the same patients over time.
The variety of settings also means you will work with different professionals, from doctors and nurses to specialists in various fields. This gives you the opportunity to build a strong professional network and gain insight into different areas of medicine.
Additionally, as a travel medical assistant, you will need to quickly adapt to new policies and procedures, enhancing your ability to work in different settings. You will also gain experience in working with different patient populations, which can be incredibly valuable for your career.
Overall, becoming a travel medical assistant is an excellent way to gain diverse experience, build a broad professional network, and develop adaptability—all while exploring new places and earning a competitive salary.
When to Get Your Flu Shot Before Traveling
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
A travel medical assistant is a healthcare professional who travels from one hospital to another, or out of state, to fill staffing shortages for a short period, typically a few weeks or months.
Being a travel medical assistant gives you the freedom and flexibility to choose where you work and for how long. It also allows you to build a strong professional network as you work with a wide range of professionals in different locations.
As a travel medical assistant, you may face challenges such as having to adapt to new workplaces and teams quickly, dealing with distractions and limited interaction with colleagues at new locations, and blurring the boundaries between work and personal life.
Travel medical assistants typically earn more than their non-travelling counterparts. The salary of a medical assistant depends on factors like experience, location, and the type of healthcare facility, but travel medical assistants can expect to earn around 20% more.
To become a travel medical assistant, you'll need a high school diploma or GED, and an accredited medical assisting program certificate or diploma. Some states and facilities may also require a national-level certification in medical assisting. Additionally, having at least 2 years of experience as a medical assistant is often required due to the nature of the travelling role.
