| With today's job market looking more like a roller | | | | Contractor vs. Employee |
| coaster ride at your local theme park, navigating job | | | | Maybe one of the overlooked aspects of traveling |
| sites and postings can be extremely stressful. The last | | | | medical staff is how one is paid on the contract. Most |
| thing you need when looking for a job is added stress. | | | | common is the agency lists you as an "independent |
| Partnering with a medical staffing agency can relieve a | | | | contract" (1099), thus making you responsible for any |
| lot of this stress. Whether you are an occupational | | | | and all taxes you pay. Your checks are fully yours, but |
| therapist, therapist assistant, traveling nurse, or physical | | | | you also have to track receipts for expenses, licensing, |
| therapist there are plenty of jobs out there waiting for | | | | fees, etc. if you plan to deduct or itemize on your |
| you. Having the right medical staffing recruiter in your | | | | taxes. This can be quite a hassle, especially if you're |
| corner will go a long way to getting you back to work | | | | filing for multiple contracts in a year in multiple states. |
| today. And this is simple as picking the right staffing | | | | One of the most ideal situations is to find an agency |
| firm. | | | | that will take you on as their employee (W-2) versus |
| Here 5 things to consider when picking an agency: | | | | listing you as a contractor (1099). This simply reduces |
| Credible Agency Name | | | | the hassle of tracking receipts and allows you to focus |
| Technology is advancing the fluidity of today's job | | | | on your profession. Again, this is a simple thing to find |
| market, there is a host of start-up companies launching | | | | out by just asking your potential staffing agency. |
| to meet present day job demands. This can be a | | | | Agency-Staff Relationship |
| good thing because more medical staffing agencies | | | | Understanding how the agency comes to know and |
| can better search for you; but, it can also be a risk if | | | | treat you, as a staff member, is a critical item. This |
| the agency has little to any understanding of what the | | | | industry is booming and it's a land-rush to secure |
| specific demands of an open position may require. As | | | | contracts with health care providers today. The |
| time continues, the agencies with the best | | | | agencies that place their concern with simply securing |
| understanding of how to fit the right person for the | | | | contracts will treat their staff like cattle and simply pull |
| right position will standout. This is why it's important to | | | | your file and offer you a contract "take-it-or-leave-it" |
| research staffing agencies. Research their providers | | | | style. Ever take a bad contract? If so, then its probably |
| and don't hesitate to ask a provider what they think of | | | | because they agency really had little to no |
| the agency. Finding the right medical staffing agency, | | | | understanding of who their staff was and who might |
| with a credible respected name, in today's fast and | | | | be the best fit for the job. Having a working - dare I |
| expanding job market will go a long way with your | | | | say - 'friendly' relationship with your staffing agency |
| own peace of mind. | | | | doesn't have to be a dream. Take the time to see |
| Sustainable contract lengths | | | | how they want to get to know you. Having a good |
| When interviewing a staffing agency its important to | | | | relationship with the agency will help ensure every |
| ask about their average contract length. Short-term, | | | | contract you get is a good fit for you and your |
| week to two-week contracts, would be great if we all | | | | professional experience. |
| had short-term bills associated with our daily lives! The | | | | Job Opportunities |
| reality is you've made an investment in education and | | | | Lastly and most importantly, check the agency's job |
| training to reach the level you have professionally. The | | | | listings. Research to see if it's job lists are rotating and |
| last thing you may want is to be treated like day labor | | | | continually being updated with new opportunities and |
| living from one day to the next. There is no doubt the | | | | new providers. This will tell you a lot about how the |
| traveling medical industry is booming with all its perks | | | | company is viewed by the medical industry. Also it will |
| and flexibility; however, you still need to know the | | | | show you what health care providers are continually |
| contracts you take are going to be able to sustain for | | | | using them and give you the chance to gauge their |
| a period of time and help with your own needs | | | | reputation too. And ultimately, the more opportunities |
| financially. Asking the average contract length is an | | | | for you to work the more chances you have to grow |
| important issue and better allows you to plan logistically | | | | professionally. |
| and financially for your personal needs. | | | | |