How Medical Technologist Travel Jobs Can Boost Your Career
If you are a medical technologist who is considering a change in your career, there are a few possible routes to pursue. You can seek out a permanent opportunity with a new employer, or take a look at medical technologist travel jobs, which involve short-term assignments. The latter can open up a whole new world of possibilities—providing access to new locations, new learning opportunities and new connections in both your personal and professional life.
Medical Technologist Jobs and Benefits
A medical technologist’s duties include performing and verifying laboratory tests, analyzing specimens, writing reports, overseeing quality control, and communicating results to medical professionals. You’ll find most medical technologist jobs are in hospitals, although there are also positions at clinics and in research laboratories.
As a medical technologist or clinical laboratory scientist, you can enjoy working independently in a vital role that provides data for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. You may also relish the chance to be involved in problem-solving, teaching, training, and supervisory assistance. In some labs, you may assist with blood draws and other direct patient interactions. Many med techs report that this personal side of the job is very rewarding.
What about job security? The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that employment of clinical laboratory technologists and technicians is projected to grow a healthy 5 percent from 2022 to 2032. Medical technologist jobs also provide continuous learning opportunities, especially for those who have the opportunity to work in different lab settings.
Broaden Your Horizons as a Travel Medical Technologist
Working in various labs is one of the key benefits of travel medical technologist jobs. Travelers soon learn that there are several ways to do any given job and that they can pick up new techniques, pointers, and best practices in every place they work.
Traveling to new places can also be exciting, and allow you to explore different parts of the country. Whether you plan to get in touch with your adventurous side or simply sample the regional cuisine and culture, each assignment provides endless opportunities. You’ll make new friends, expand your professional network, and discover what different cities have to offer.
Master New Techniques
Travel assignments can help new medical technologists build a strong foundation of experience. Those with several years on the job can also learn about new protocols and technical advances in this constantly evolving field.
Want to work in a cutting-edge medical lab? Talk to your AMN recruiter to help find the right setting that will allow you to gain experience with the latest equipment and technologies in your field.
Examples may include mastering:
• The newest laboratory practices used in the diagnosis of metabolic disorders;
• Specific techniques such as matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight (MALDI-TOF) to identify microorganisms;
• Best-in-class quality control procedures;
• Artificial intelligence applications to predict laboratory test values and make interpretations more precise, among other uses.
Enhance Your Critical Thinking
Clinical laboratory scientists must provide accurate and reliable diagnostic information as part of their vital role in disease detection, monitoring, and treatment planning. Working as a medical technologist traveler allows you to build your critical thinking skills through exposure to a variety of different scenarios, patient populations, and the clinical expertise of different co-workers.
Enhanced critical thinking skills will help you compare several options when solving problems or making decisions, and then choose the most appropriate action.
Take Advantage of Continuous Learning Opportunities
Calvin K., a traveling medical technologist with AMN Healthcare, had always been interested in travel assignments. “I get bored doing the same job over and over. When my life circumstances freed me up, I jumped at the chance. I like the challenge traveling creates and I want to see new places, people, and things,” he explained. He has also appreciated the learning opportunities that keep the job interesting, even after almost 30 years in the profession.
“There is a lot of information available now that wasn’t when I was in school. In addition to continuing education, I don’t mind learning from younger techs who keep me updated on the new stuff that is out there.”
Allied professionals who work with AMN Healthcare can also take advantage of free continuing education as part of their traveler benefits package.
How to Become a Travel Medical Technologist
If you’re interested in taking the next step and want to learn more about medical technologist travel jobs, our AMN Healthcare team is ready to answer your questions and guide you through the process.