Traveling healthcare companies play a vital role in bridging the gap between healthcare providers and facilities that need temporary medical staff. They offer job opportunities for nurses, doctors, therapists, and other healthcare professionals who are willing to travel and work in various locations, typically on short-term assignments.
This system benefits both healthcare providers and professionals, ensuring continuity of care in areas facing staffing shortages. In this blog, we’ll cover the basics of travel healthcare companies, how they work, the benefits and challenges for healthcare professionals. Further, what to consider when choosing the right agency.
What Are Healthcare Travel Companies?
Travel healthcare companies connect medical professionals with hospitals, clinics, and healthcare facilities that need temporary staff. These companies recruit and place professionals—like registered nurses, physical therapists, and medical technicians—on short-term contracts, often ranging from 8 to 13 weeks.
The primary goal is to address staffing shortages due to seasonal demands, workforce turnover, or emergencies. Some facilities, especially in rural areas, rely heavily on travel healthcare professionals to fill critical gaps in patient care.
How Do Travel Healthcare Companies Work?
Healthcare travel companies act as middlemen between healthcare professionals and facilities. Here’s how the process typically works:
- Step 1: Professionals apply to the company or sign up with a recruiter.
- Step 2: The company assesses candidates’ qualifications and matches them with suitable assignments.
- Step 3: The company handles contract negotiations, travel arrangements, and housing.
- Step 4: Professionals work on-site for the assigned period while the company provides ongoing support.
- Step 5: After the assignment ends, the healthcare worker can either extend the contract or take on a new role at a different facility.
Travel healthcare companies also manage compliance and licensing. For example, nurses may need state-specific licenses, and the agency ensures they meet all regulatory requirements.
5 Benefits for Healthcare Professionals
The best healthcare travel companies offer several benefits:
- Higher Pay : Travel assignments typically offer competitive salaries, often higher than regular full-time positions.
- Flexible Schedules : Professionals can choose when and where they want to work, enjoying time off between assignments.
- Travel Opportunities : Workers can explore new cities and regions while building their careers.
- Housing and Perks : Most companies provide free or subsidized housing, travel allowances, and health insurance.
- Skill Enhancement : Professionals gain experience in different clinical settings, expanding their knowledge and expertise.
Challenges Faced by Travel Healthcare Workers
While travel healthcare can be rewarding, it also comes with challenges:
- Adapting to New Environments : Workers must quickly adjust to new teams, systems, and protocols at each facility.
- Licensing Requirements : Medical professionals may need to obtain licenses for different states, which can be time-consuming.
- Work-Life Balance : Frequent travel and short-term assignments may disrupt personal routines or relationships.
- Job Security : Assignments are temporary, so workers must plan ahead for gaps between contracts.
- Healthcare Differences : The quality of facilities and patient populations may vary, requiring professionals to adapt quickly.
How Travel Healthcare Companies Benefit Healthcare Facilities
Healthcare facilities, especially in underserved areas, benefit greatly from working with healthcare companies. Here’s how:
- Filling Staffing Gaps : Facilities can cover staffing shortages caused by turnover, leaves of absence, or increased patient demand.
- Specialized Expertise :Facilities can bring in professionals with specialized skills for short-term projects or surgeries.
- Reduced Hiring Burden : Agencies manage recruitment, saving hospitals time and resources.
- Flexible Workforce : Travel professionals provide a temporary solution without long-term employment commitments.
- Improved Patient Care : With skilled workers in place, facilities can maintain continuity of care and prevent burnout among permanent staff.
Types of Professionals Hired by Travel Healthcare Companies
Healthcare travel companies recruit a wide range of medical professionals, including:
- Registered Nurses (RNs) : These are the most in-demand professionals, especially in critical care, emergency, and surgical units.
- Physicians and Specialists : Doctors and medical specialists may take travel assignments in rural or understaffed hospitals.
- Physical Therapists : These professionals help rehabilitate patients, often working in outpatient or rehabilitation facilities.
- Medical Technologists : Travel techs operate diagnostic equipment, such as X-ray or MRI machines, at various facilities.
- Allied Health Professionals : Speech therapists, respiratory therapists, and occupational therapists also take on travel roles.
What to Consider When Choosing a Travel Healthcare Company
With many companies available, selecting one of the best healthcare travel companies is essential for a positive experience. Here are some factors to consider:
- Reputation and Reviews : Look for companies with good reviews from healthcare professionals. Trustworthy agencies will have positive feedback and a strong track record.
- Pay and Benefits : Compare salary packages, housing stipends, insurance coverage, and bonuses offered by different companies.
- Support and Communication : A reliable recruiter who provides consistent communication and support can make the process smoother.
- Job Availability : Ensure the company offers assignments in the locations and specialties you prefer.
- Compliance Assistance : Choose a company that helps with licensing, credentialing, and continuing education requirements.
- Cancellation Policies : Check how the agency handles contract cancellations and whether they provide backup opportunities.
Best Healthcare Travel Companies in the U.S.
Several travel healthcare companies have established a reputation for excellent services. Here are a few of the top players in the industry:
1. itilite
itilite streamlines travel and expense management for healthcare professionals, offering automated solutions for efficient booking, reporting, and cost control.
2. AMN Healthcare
Offers a wide range of travel assignments, from nursing to allied health. Known for great pay and comprehensive benefits.
3. Aya Healthcare
One of the best healthcare travel companies, Aya Healthcare is known for its transparency and mobile app, which makes finding jobs and managing assignments easy.
4. Cross Country Healthcare
Provides nursing and allied health assignments with competitive packages and ongoing support.
5. Medical Solutions
Focuses on providing personalized support and offers a variety of short- and long-term assignments.
Choosing the Right Travel Healthcare Company
Travel healthcare companies provide exciting opportunities for professionals who want flexibility, good pay, and new experiences. But travel healthcare also has its challenges. You have to adjust to new environments quickly and manage temporary assignments, which can be stressful.
That’s where tools like itilite come in. itilite helps streamline travel planning, making it easier for healthcare workers to focus on their jobs. It automates booking and expense tracking, so professionals can handle travel details without extra hassle.
Book a free demo to know all benefits!
