Behind the success of every doctor, nurse, or scientist is a clinical laboratory technician studying and testing different samples—whether it’s blood, tissue, urine or other cellular matter to diagnose, treat, and prevent disease. In the U.S., approximately 14 billion laboratory tests are performed annually in more than 260,000 Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment (CLIA)-certified laboratories (not including the 997 million annual diagnostic tests for COVID-19!).
It is estimated that the industry is short between 20,000 and 25,000 clinical laboratory technologists, with roughly 335,000 currently employed nationwide – that’s roughly one technologist for every 1,000 U.S. citizens. It’s obvious clinical lab techs are an integral component within the healthcare continuum, so why is there still a shortage of qualified laboratory professionals? Perhaps one reason is that medical lab technologists are routinely paid less than other medically trained professionals.
With the ever-growing demand for clinical laboratory technicians, there has been an explosion in the need for travel techs. While there is virtually no difference in duties if you are a travel lab technician, there is a significant difference in pay. Travel tech jobs generally pay a much more competitive rate, in addition to meal and housing stipends provided by staffing agencies like ours, Freedom Healthcare Staffing. Alongside higher pay rates, here are some other advantages to being a traveling clinical lab technician:
Flexibility
One of the most effective ways to prevent burnout is autonomy over one’s schedule. It’s up to the travel clinical lab tech to decide which assignments they will or won’t take, how busy they want to be, and when it’s time to take a break.
Collaboration/Networking
Lab techs naturally work closely with other healthcare professionals such as scientists, nurses, and doctors. This could open new doors to advance your career.
Opportunities for Growth
Because a career as a travel lab tech allows you to work within various healthcare settings, you may pick up new skills and techniques, further broadening your experience and career potential.
Ability to Travel
Although an obvious advantage, the ability to travel the country and experience new places is an exciting aspect of the travel clinical lab tech life. Have you dreamt of exploring mountains? Dying to try fresh seafood? You are in control of what assignments you do or do not accept.
Competitive Pay
As aforementioned, as an Allied Health Professional travel tech, you could receive nearly double the pay as full-time employees. Freedom allots stipends for meals and housing in addition to your base pay.
Our Freedom recruiters work tirelessly to find assignments at hospitals that are short-staffed and submit your name for the assignment, as well as negotiate your contract so that you receive higher pay and a schedule that aligns with your needs. Freedom handles all of the housing and transportation logistics so that all you have to do is show up and work the agreed upon length of your contract. If the hospital’s need persists, they may offer a contract extension, which you have the autonomy to accept or reject. Freedom pays you, offers benefits and provides support throughout the entirety of your assignment.
In addition to traditional travel assignments, Freedom makes it a priority to develop direct relationships with hospitals and healthcare facilities to bring you “rapid response assignments,” where you may be deployed in less than 10 days.
At the end of the day, lab technicians undeniably serve as pillars of the healthcare industry and we at Freedom are committed to providing travel assignments that treat you as such. Are you an experienced lab technician looking to embark on a new journey? Learn more here or apply for a travel clinical laboratory technician position today! If you are a healthcare professional with lab tech friends, refer them to us and enjoy the benefits of Freedom’s referral rewards program. We offer an ongoing commission for every hour your referrals and your referrals’ referrals work during their first two years with us.