Titan Medical Group provided this article.
Greetings from your friendly Clinical Team at Titan! As you embark on the journey of finding your first or next assignment, it’s imperative to ensure that your chosen placement aligns not only with your clinical and professional skills but also with your personal needs. Here are some considerations to keep in mind as you navigate the travel process with your recruiter!
Things to keep in mind as you navigate the travel process with your recruiter:
Perform a self–assessment:
Take time prior to the job hunt to assess your skills, experiences, and personal preferences. It is crucial to be honest with yourself, acknowledging both your strengths and areas for improvement, as well as the environments where you excel! Maintaining this self-awareness greatly enhances your ability to find the ideal job match, personal satisfaction, and success!
- Evaluate your skills and competencies (clinical, technical, interpersonal).
- Assess your overall knowledge regarding the clinical setting and regulatory guidelines.
- Evaluate your professional goals.
- Identify your personal interests and values.
- Seek feedback from peers.
Clinical Experience:
Next, focus on clinical experience. This is the cornerstone of your practice. Whether you’re a seasoned nurse, a proficient lab specialist, or a skilled respiratory therapist, your competency in your profession is invaluable. When considering a travel assignment, prioritize options that align with your clinical strengths and interests. While travel is exciting, it is not the time to try a new clinical setting. Choosing contracts that match your recent and relevant experience will not only set you up for success but is crucial for safety and optimal patient outcomes.
- Update your resume to showcase your most recent experience.
- Update a skills checklist pertinent to your experience within the past 2-year cycle.
- Are you trained and proficient in any advanced procedures or technology?
- Knowledge of protocols, guidelines, and best practices in the area of specialty.
- Update any new or renewed certifications.
Professional Development:
Although your clinical experience holds significant importance, it’s essential to reflect on your entire professional journey. Professional tenure encompasses the array of skills and knowledge you have acquired over the course of your career. This aspect is pivotal for fostering communication skills, leadership attributes, critical thinking and problem-solving, flexibility, and adaptability. These are all qualities that are imperative to your success as a travel healthcare professional.
- What professional conferences or continuing education did you attend?
- Do you hold memberships with any professional organizations?
- Have you been involved in any professional research or publications?
- Have you participated in professional/process improvement initiatives or committees? (Ex. Mentor, Pathways to Excellence, Unit Based Council, etc.)
- Create and keep up-to-date a professional portfolio with licensure requirements, continuing education, awards, and acknowledgments.
Assignment Match:
Finally, assess your personal needs and remember your “WHY.” Working as a healthcare professional presents many demands and challenges. It’s vital to remain cognizant of your personal needs and mental health. Finding a position that accommodates all these requirements is an important step in ensuring the right match! This looks different for all of us, so consider factors such as the ones listed below to ensure the contract you choose will align with your personal goals and work-life balance.
- Facility size (trauma level, bed number).
- Location (housing, transportation, entertainment, and tourist attractions).
- Patient population (Adult, Pediatric, LTC).
- Orientation requirements.
- Your personal scheduling needs.
- Floating requirements.
- Access to Continuing Education.
- Professional Development opportunities.
At Titan, we understand the importance of high-quality placements and clinical excellence, not only for our clients and the communities we serve but also for YOU! We hope this provides a little guidance and support as you reflect on your experience, evaluate your goals, and find that perfect match!
We hope you found this article on things to consider when navigating the travel process with your recruiter helpful. Are there any other things to consider when navigating the travel process with your recruiter that we should add to the list? Comment below.
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