The Exciting Career Path of a Travel Medical Assistant
Being a travel medical assistant is an engaging career option for licensed medical assistants seeking adventure, autonomy, and professional growth. As a traveler, your typical day may involve assisting physicians and nurses at clinics across different regions of the country. No two assignments are alike when you embrace this lifestyle of constant change and new experiences.
A travel medical assistant (TMA) fulfills the same duties as a regular medical assistant but works short-term contracts throughout the United States rather than staying in one location. Some key responsibilities include:
- Preparing exam rooms and patients for appointments
- Taking vital signs like temperature, blood pressure, and heart rate
- Collecting medical histories and updating patient records
- Performing diagnostic tests like EKGs or drug screenings
- Assisting with routine procedures, minor surgeries, or wound care
- Scheduling follow-up visits and handling insurance authorizations
- Ensuring exam rooms are tidy and stocked with necessary supplies
The travel aspect adds variety as you take on temp roles in pediatric clinics one week and rural family practices the next. You gain diverse clinical exposure while seeing new places.
Education & Training Requirements
All medical assistants must complete a postsecondary medical assisting program and obtain a Medical Assistant Certification through either the Certified Medical Assistant (CMA) or Registered Medical Assistant (RMA) route. Most programs are completed in less than two years at a community or technical college.
Key subjects covered include:
- Anatomy & physiology
- Medical terminology
- Clinical procedures
- Pharmacology
- Insurance billing & coding
- Medical ethics & law
While certification is not required in all states, it is mandatory for travel positions and will help you land more opportunities. Some facilities may also expect experience, so it’s beneficial to get clinical hours during or after your education.
Qualifications & Skills Needed
In addition to being a licensed, certified medical assistant, travel employers will select candidates who demonstrate:
- 1-2 years of patient care experience preferred
- Flexibility to relocate frequently and work varying shift types
- Independence to function effectively in new environments
- Strong communication and organizational abilities
- Respect for diverse patient populations
- Comfort with technology like EHR systems
- Vaccinations up to date including annual flu shot
- Reliable transportation is necessary for some assignments
Personal qualities of adaptability, initiative, reliability, and compassion are essential when continually adjusting to new provider preferences and workplace cultures. The desire for mobility and experiencing new places also factors into readiness for this lifestyle.
Popular Onsite and Telehealth Specialties for Travel Medical Assistants
Onsite Specialties | Telehealth Specialties
- Family Medicine | – Dermatology
- Internal Medicine | – Pediatrics
- OB/GYN | – Behavioral Health
- Urgent Care | – Women’s Health
- Orthopedics | – TeleCOVID Centers
How to Get Started as a Travel Medical Assistant
Aspiring travel medical assistants begin by developing their medical assisting skills and registering profiles with national healthcare staffing agencies that coordinate placements.
Key initial steps include:
- Earn CMA or RMA certification through an accredited program if your state requires it.
- Gain at least one year of clinical MA experience, either during school, as a volunteer, or in an entry-level facility role.
- Build an effective travel nursing resume highlighting qualifications, special certifications, and pertinent experience.
- Register profiles on top staffing websites such as Aya Healthcare, Nomad Health, Medical Solutions, and CrewCareers.
- Customize your availability preferences regarding region, specialty, assignment length, and willingness to relocate frequently.
- Interview with agency representatives to market yourself for a 13-week travel contract where you’ll receive housing and a weekly stipend.
From there, expect to complete an onboarding and orientation at each new clinical site before starting patient care. When assignments end, your agency handles finding your subsequent role.
Popular Locations & Practice Settings For Travelers
Two factors that determine regional demand for travel medical assistants are population factors like aging demographics as well as staffing shortfalls in underserved rural areas. Some locations in particularly high need include:
- Texas – growth along the Gulf Coast and Rio Grande areas
- Florida – snowbird communities in Central and South regions
- California – numerous clinics throughout but need is statewide
- Northwest – Montana, Idaho, eastern Washington, and Wyoming
- Midwest – portions of Minnesota, Illinois, Missouri, and Wisconsin
- Appalachia – short-term gaps in facilities across Kentucky, Tennessee, etc.
You’ll work in diverse settings like private practices, community health centers, urgent care, and large hospital networks. Roles on military bases and reservations are also possibilities. Virtual options through telehealth are expanding as technologies improve access in remote locales.
Lifestyle & Benefits of Travel Work
Gains from a nomadic medical assisting career go beyond a paycheck. Traveling provides priceless cultural exposure and memorable adventures. Discovering new cities and regions lets you experience this vast country in an immersive way regular careers don’t allow.
Some notable advantages include:
- Higher weekly wages typically 20-30% above standard rates
- Housing, meals, and relocation stipends further boost take-home pay
- No expense commuting since housing is covered at assignments
- Option to extend or decline roles keeping a flexible schedule
- Bonuses for hard-to-fill slots or tough conditions like COVID testing centers
- Continuous skills update from diverse environments and providers
- Social network expands through facility friends across locations
- Paid time off accrues but is often taken between contracts
- Retirement benefits still grow with agency enrollment in 401k plans
Balanced with challenges of adapting frequently, this career rewards those with a sense of adventure wanting to be where their needs are while sightseeing new territory.
Things to Consider
As with any transient lifestyle, traveling does require diligence in certain areas:
- Budget carefully factoring in fluctuating income at the start and end of contracts
- Secure renters insurance and keep mail forwarding contact current
- Store valuables securely while residing out of a permanent residence
- Schedule future roles to avoid gaps disrupting health insurance
- Carve out time between contracts to rest physically and recharge emotionally
- Stay connected virtually with loved ones when posted far from home
- Seek local social circles through expat Facebook groups or coworkers.
Medical assistants committing to travel can expect personal growth, enhanced clinical prowess, and memories of diverse places in return. With resourcefulness and passion for movement, the career is fulfilling for applicants wishing to combine service and exploration.
