While they often fly under the radar, medical assistants play a pivotal role in the quality of healthcare patients receive. This career offers a wide range of benefits, making it a highly sought-after position. One of those advantages is the opportunity to become a traveling medical assistant. Prism Career Institute provides outstanding career training at our locations in Philadelphia, PA, and Cherry Hill and West Atlantic City, NJ. Here, we discuss what traveling medical assistant jobs involve and the steps to becoming one.
What Is a Traveling Medical Assistant?
A traveling medical assistant, also known as a travel medical assistant, is a healthcare professional who uses their skills and knowledge to assist clinics or hospitals experiencing staffing shortages. They often work at a location for a few weeks or months at a time, generally signing a four- to 12-week contract. When the contract ends, traveling medical assistants can either sign another contract with the same medical facility if offered, look for a new contract elsewhere, or return home to take time off.
Travel medical assistants have the same workload and perform similar duties to standard medical assistants. These assistants will be expected to complete a variety of clinical and administrative tasks, such as:
- Measuring vital signs
- Administering injections and medications to patients as directed by the physician
- Collecting samples of blood and other bodily fluids for testing
- Assisting with patient examinations
- Helping prepare patients for medical tests
- Removing stitches
- Scheduling appointments
- Answering patient’s questions
- Collecting patient information to keep on file
- Submitting refill requests
- Aiding with billing and insurance claims
Pursuing Traveling Medical Assistant Jobs
Before you can seek remote medical assistant jobs, you need to obtain the proper qualifications. Many clinics and medical facilities expect traveling healthcare professionals to jump into their roles right away, sometimes with just a brief orientation and minimal training. To successfully acquire a travel assistant contract, candidates will need to complete the following:
- Earn a high school diploma or GED
- Graduate from an accredited medical assistant program
- Obtain medical assistant certification
- Have at least two years of medical assisting experience
Reasons to Consider Being a Travel Medical Assistant
One of the most rewarding reasons to pursue traveling medical assisting is the vital services you provide patients. As with regular medical assistant jobs and other roles within healthcare, this occupation allows you to help people realize better health and wellness.
Another aspect that makes traveling medical assistant jobs so attractive is the compensation. Traveling medical assistants can earn higher wages than traditional medical assistants.
Job flexibility is a major draw with this position, as well. As a traveling medical assistant, you can choose when you would like to work. Because job contracts are relatively short-term, you have the freedom to explore other career opportunities once contracts close.
Being a traveling medical assistant also grants you the freedom to choose where you work. Many healthcare facilities require these services, meaning a remote medical assistant may have a wider selection of job opportunities. Additionally, trying out different medical environments is an excellent way to make meaningful contacts and gain experience that you can use to enhance your resume.
Start Your Journey to Becoming a Travel Medical Assistant
Regardless of why you wish to pursue a travel medical assistant job, you will find many advantages in the role. Those interested in pursuing this occupation can take their first step by enrolling in the Medical Assistant Program at Prism Career Institute.
Offered at our Cherry Hill, NJ, and West Atlantic City, NJ, locations, and at our campus in Philadelphia, PA, this program is led by dedicated instructions and features a career-oriented curriculum that focuses on everything students will need to know to successfully pursue medical assistant jobs. Contact us today to learn more about this program, as well as the other programs we offer at Prism Career Institute.