As a travel lab technician working in a healthcare industry, you must understand that the roles of medical laboratory technicians (MLTs) is very important. Note, one of those vital role is that of a travel medical Technician.
However, one need to answer this question, what exactly does a travel medical lab technician do? How can I become one? What is the salary range of a travel lab technician? In addition, what are the opportunities for growth in this field? This article aims to give you accurate answer to all these questions and more by providing a clear insights on the topic. The details discuss the roles and responsibilities of these specialists, perks of the job, expectations, and future prospects, among many others.
What Is a Travel Medical Lab Tech Jobs?
A travel medical lab tech Job is the kind of jobs that allow technician to work with the recruiter in the healthcare travel company, instead of being a permanent staff member. The technician engage in setting up and sanitizing a laboratory, matching blood compatibility for transfusions, preparing specimens, collecting blood samples, and analyzing fluid chemical content and more.
Instead of being a permanent staff member, the travel medical lab tech works with a recruiter at a healthcare travel company. The recruiter then helps to set them up on assignments in various locations around the country, usually for 13 weeks at a time.
Furthermore, travel medical laboratory technician (MLT) jobs allow professionals to take temporary contract. Also, it allow assignments at healthcare and laboratory facilities across the U.S. Travelers fill 13-week contracts and can choose assignments based on location preferences.
Benefits include:
1. Higher pay.
2. Stipends.
3. Flexible scheduling.
4. Gaining experience with new equipment.
5. Tests, and procedures.
Note, hospitals utilize travel techs helps to fill gaps, leaves, seasonal changes, and staffing shortages.
What Are The Responsibilities of a Travel Medical Lab Tech?
Traveling medical laboratory technicians perform a wide range of diagnostic tests. However, this test aid in the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases. Their primary duties include:
1. Collecting and preparing biological samples including blood, tissue, and body fluids.
2. Performing tests on samples using sophisticated lab equipment and instruments.
3. Analyzing tissue, cell, and fluid samples under microscopes.
4. Interpreting diagnostic test results and confirming accuracy.
5. Reporting irregular lab results immediately.
6. Operating laboratory information systems and keeping detailed patient records.
7. Adhering to quality control policies, safety regulations, and infection control procedures.
As a traveler, lab techs need to quickly acclimate to new hospital settings, equipment, and TECHS. Strong communication and interpersonal abilities are critical.
What are The Qualification Requirements for Becoming a Travel medical Lab Technician?
To become a travel medical lab tech, proper accredited education and training is required. The minimum is an associate’s degree in medical laboratory technology or science. Many employers prefer bachelor’s degrees.
Typical degree programs cover areas like microbiology, chemistry, immunology, molecular diagnostics, lab procedures, and instrumentation. Supervised clinical rotations in a lab are also required.
After earning a degree, a prospective travel tech must obtain professional MLT certification. Certificate such as from the American Medical Technologists (AMT) or American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP). Certification demonstrates competency and qualification.
However, some states may require additional licensing. Continuing education is also needed to stay current on the latest advances in the field.
What Are The Benefits of Being a Travel Medical Laboratory Technician?
The benefits of being a travel medical lab tech is not only to earn a good salary. But also the potential to make a difference in patients’ lives. Testing blood and other samples to help the physician diagnose what is wrong, can and often does lead to lives being saved. Being a travel MLT brings even more benefits like firstly, a higher salary. Secondly, getting paid to travel. Finally, living in new places, learning new skills, getting free private housing and more.
How Much Does a Travel Medical Lab Tech Make?
The salary for a travel medical lab tech varies depending on location, just like any other job. Firstly, the average salary across the country for an MLT working in a permanent position is $51,505. Whereas, the average travel MLT makes an average of nearly $68,000 per year. Secondly, the highest paying states for travel medical lab techs are California, with the average salary at $80,500. Finally, the lowest paying states pay salaries that range from just over $50,000 to $54,000 annually and include Alabama, New Mexico, South Carolina, Louisiana and Arkansas.
Can New Grad MLTs Become Traveling Medical Lab Techs?
Yes, it is possible to become a travel MLT as a new grad even though is rare due to the demand for medical laboratory technicians. Travel Medical lab Techs are often required to have a minimum of year of experience. Especially, two years of experience is ideal. However, Healthcare travel companies have knowledgeable recruiters. They also get staff who are willing to advise you on how to make the best decision out of the education and laboratory experience you have. This can help you to enter the exciting world of healthcare travel. The most important thing is to be as flexible as possible and to be willing to take an assignment where the need is greatest.
How Does a Medical Laboratory Tech Find Travel Jobs?
While you’re likely to find plenty of job openings simply by doing a Google search, just like travel therapy and other healthcare travel jobs. Most can be found by signing up with a travel healthcare staffing agency. As there is such a long list of these companies, you’ll need to determine which have assignments for MLTs. Also the one that meet your particular requirements. As you can imagine, that can be quite time consuming.
The simplest approach to finding a MLT travel job and getting matched with travel staffing companies that can meet your needs and interests is to use our free service for Medical Lab Techs. You’ll no longer worry about jobs being outdated as you’ll gain access to unadvertised travel jobs and you’ll save time on researching companies.
Are There In-House Housing Specialists Available to Assist Travelers with Arrangements?
Yes, most travel partners have in-house housing. Also, travel specialists are available to assist medical laboratory travelers with their arrangements.
In conclusion, travel medical lab technician, is a very important profession that engage in testing blood and other samples to help the physician diagnose what is wrong in a patient. Meanwhile, this can often lead to lives being saved.