Allied health travel jobs

Travel allied health professionals are among the most sought-after clinicians in healthcare. The demand to fill travel allied health jobs has soared because of allied health staff shortages, an aging population, and the increased need for specialized care that only certified allied health professionals provide. Today, travel allied health jobs are a top priority for facilities to fill. That’s why Nomad Health helps allied health clinicians find high-paying travel allied health jobs across the country with facilities who need them.

Types of allied health travel jobs on Nomad Health

Nomad helps allied health professionals find travel jobs in 9 distinct fields of allied health including:

Allied health travel jobs by discipline

Allied discipline specialties

Cath lab tech travel jobs

general cath lab tech, cardiovascular tech.

Laboratory travel jobs

general lab tech, cytotechnology, histology, microbiology, and molecular bio.

Ultrasound tech travel jobs

general ultrasound tech, medical sonographer, cardio sonographer, neurosonology, OB/GYN, vascular technology, breast, abdomen

Occupational therapist travel jobs

general OT, OT rehab, therapy rehab.

Physical therapist travel jobs

general PT, cardiovascular and pulmonary, orthopedics, women’s health, and more.

Radiology technologist travel jobs

general rad tech, CT scan, MRI, mammogram, interventional radiology, and more.

Respiratory therapist travel jobs

general RT, adult ER, pediatric ER, adult ICU, NICU, and more.

Speech language pathologist travel jobs

general SLP, NICU, and pediatric.

Surgical technologist travel jobs

general surgical tech, CVOR, cardiac, pediatrics, oncology, and more.

Travel allied health job requirements

The requirements you need to get a travel allied health job are not much different from staff allied health job requirements with a few exceptions. Below are the key requirements you will need to have in order to qualify for most travel allied health jobs.

Education requirements

Allied health travelers must have the necessary education required by their specific allied health field. Educational requirements for allied health travel jobs can range from an associate’s degree to a master’s degree. For your reference, Nomad Health has provided deep dives into educational requirements for travel rad techs, travel lab techs, travel ultrasound techs, and travel surgical techs.

Licensure requirements

To secure an allied health travel job, you may need a state license, specialized certification or both. Which one you need will ultimately depend on the field you’re working in. Keep in mind that if you plan to work in multiple states, you might have to obtain a license specifically for that state unless they have a reciprocal agreement in place.

Experience requirements

Nomad Health usually requires at least one to two years of experience working in the allied health field or clinical setting before you can qualify for an allied health travel job. However, every facility has their own unique requirements for allied health travel jobs, so make sure you read up on the job description to make sure you have enough experience required for the role.

Certifications

Allied health professionals in certain specialties are sometimes required to obtain specific certifications before they can qualify for a travel job. Some of the most common certifications allied health travelers often need to have include:

  • Basic life support (BLS)

Skills

Allied health travel jobs require you to possess specific hard and soft skills. Depending on the specific allied health travel job you’re applying for, some of these skills may be more essential than others. In general, facilities hiring for allied health travel jobs want candidates to have the following skills:

  • Strong clinical skills
  • Skilled at being adaptable
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Skilled at working in new and diverse environments
  • Skilled at working with other clinical professionals

Health requirements

Allied health travel jobs require applicants to have an up-to-date physical examination in addition to immunizations. Depending on the facility, you may also be required to take and pass a drug test such as a urine test.

Allied health travel job duties and responsibilities

Each field within allied health has its own unique job duties and responsibilities. However some duties and responsibilities that are commonly found across most allied health fields, including:

Patient care

Provide direct patient care using the skills, methods, and techniques from their area of specialization such as performing procedures, diagnostic tests, creating treatment plans, and more.

Assessments and evaluations

Perform patient evaluations and assessments to determine treatment plans or measure the effectiveness of therapies.

Treatment planning

Develop and implement tailored treatment plans for patients, often with other healthcare professionals.

Documentation

Maintain up-to-date and accurate patient records by documenting interventions, patient progress, and patient responses.

Patient Education

Educate patients and their families about interventions and potential risk factors. Provide health management strategies and preventive measures that may help improve health outcomes for the patient.

Compliance

Must adhere to healthcare standards, laws, and regulations related to maintaining patient confidentiality and following infection protocols.

Equipment operation

Depending on your allied health field, you must be able to operate specialized medical equipment used in your field. Equipment that may be used in allied health travel jobs include imaging machines, respiratory therapy devices, and other devices.

Continuous learning

Stay up to date with the latest advancements in relevant allied health fields including the introduction of new techniques and technologies.

Why consider an allied health travel job?

There are plenty of good reasons why considering an allied health travel job is a smart move. From financial incentives to personal growth, a travel job might be just what you need to take the next step in your career.

High demand for allied health travelers

With an increase in demand for healthcare services along with allied health staff shortages, allied health travel jobs remain in demand. Because the demand is high, you can sleep easy knowing that your job is secure and less susceptible to economic downturns.

Competitive pay

Allied health travel jobs may pay more than staff allied health jobs. Many things can impact travel pay including your experience, education, location, credentials, and facility needs. When you browse allied health travel jobs on Nomad, you’ll see a pay breakdown (including the travel stipend) of every job so you know exactly how you can earn before you apply.

Technology

Travel allied health jobs provide an opportunity to work with new technologies. Common technology that allied health travelers get exposure to may include:

  • Electronic health record systems (EHR)
  • Diagnostic imaging equipment
  • Rehabilitation equipment
  • Respiratory therapist devices
  • Medical laboratory technology
  • Speech therapy tools
  • Telehealth platforms
  • Patient assessment tools
  • Specialized software for patient education and therapy
  • Wearable health devices

Interdisciplinary collaboration

Allied health travel jobs allow you to collaborate cross-functionally with interdisciplinary healthcare staff ranging from physicians to staff nurses and professionals in other allied health fields. When you work closely with these teams, you’ll get a broader perspective on patient care which you can add to your skill set.

Career advancement

Allied health travel jobs can put you on the fast track to learn about the latest education, techniques, treatments, and equipment used in the field. If you’re interested in getting ahead of the curve, applying for an allied health travel job might be right for you.

Visit new locations

One of the biggest perks of allied health travel jobs is deciding where you want to work. From the city to the facility, it’s up to you. Accepting travel jobs in new locations also exposes you to new facilities and patient populations you may not experience in a regular staff position.

Tips for finding the best allied health travel jobs

Most allied health travelers agree that the best allied health travel jobs offer a combination of high compensation and opportunities to expand your clinical experience. However, what makes a job the “best” usually depends on personal preferences, career goals, and financial goals.

Research allied health travel job agencies

To find the best allied health travel job for you, research is the name of the game. First, you need to determine which travel agencies offer allied health travel jobs. Unfortunately, not all agencies work with allied health professionals.

Read reviews

Next, you should consider the reputation of the agency you’re considering working with. Use a search engine to read testimonials and reviews other allied health travelers have left about the agency. These reviews should give you a general idea of whether the agency meets your standards, and if other travelers recommend them.

Compare job benefits

While pay may often be the most important benefit of allied health travel jobs, remember that additional perks such as stipends for scrubs, licenses, and travel, along with health insurance and the option to invest in a 401(k) should be factored into the equation. Unlike Nomad, not all agencies offer these types of benefits, so it's important to compare the additional perks before you accept a job.

Top locations for allied health travel jobs

The demand for allied health travel jobs varies across different states based on factors such as the overall demand for allied health professional support, the number of healthcare facilities, and the demographics of the regional population. Additionally, states with larger populations and advanced healthcare infrastructure may need more allied health travelers than others.

California

As one of the biggest states, California has multiple medical facilities in densely populated areas like Los Angeles, San Diego, Sacramento, and San Francisco that often hire for allied health travel jobs. California has a high cost of living, which may result in attractive pay rates.

Texas

Like California, certain high-growth metropolitan areas in Texas have allied health travel jobs available including Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, and Austin. Because Texas regularly experiences public health emergencies like tornadoes, hurricanes, and other natural disasters, the need for allied health travelers may be high.

Florida

Because Florida has an older-than-average population and an expansive medical system, the demand for allied health travelers is high, especially in cities like Jacksonville, Tampa, Miami, and Orlando. Like Texas, Florida also experiences several natural disasters, including hurricanes, which often result in spikes in demand for allied health support.

New York

The dense population and high number of healthcare facilities in New York make it a hot spot for allied health jobs, especially in New York City. Additionally, due to extremely cold winters, there may be an increase in cold-weather emergencies that require medical attention.

Arizona

Because Arizona experiences a yearly influx of winter visitors, there is a seasonal strain on healthcare systems there, including a demand for allied health travelers.

How to prepare for your first allied health travel job

If it’s your first time accepting an allied health travel job, there are a few tips and tricks to keep in mind that will help you feel prepared and ready to go on your first day. Every allied health travel job is different, but excelling in one or more of these areas may ensure you are set up for success.

Ask about orientation

One of the most important questions you can ask your hiring manager is about the orientation and onboarding process for your travel job. Knowing how much support you will have at the beginning and during the assignment will help you set realistic expectations for your first week on the job.

Be adaptable

Being adaptable is the key to starting any allied health travel job. You will need to be prepared for ambiguity and performing tasks that you may not have much experience with.

Build relationships

Along the way, remember to network and build relationships with your new colleagues. Connect with other allied health professionals and learn about their experiences with the facility and traveling in general.

Pack wisely

Remember to pack all the essentials you will need for the duration of your travel assignment. Depending on where your allied health travel job is, it may be difficult to find a drug store or other convenience stores for items at the last minute, especially if you’re working in a rural area. We recommend packing extra pairs of scrubs, toiletries, and anything else to make you comfortable during your stay.

Frequently asked questions about allied health travel jobs

How long do allied health travel jobs last?

Allied health travel job contract length varies depending on the needs of the facility. In general, most contracts are 13 weeks long, although it’s not uncommon to find contracts that last eight weeks.

Can I choose the location for my allied health travel job?

Yes, you can choose the location for your allied health travel job. Nomad Health features allied health travel jobs across the United States. Some are in desirable locations like Hawaii, California, and Florida.

How quickly can I start an allied health travel job?

How soon you can start an allied health travel job will depend on the needs of the facility. Sometimes facilities need you to start ASAP, while others may allow you to negotiate a start date based on your convenience.

What kind of support will I have during my allied health travel job with Nomad?

From the time you apply to the last day of your shift, you’ll get ongoing support from the Nomad Navigators. Once you’re on assignment, you will also have access to Clinical Navigators who are clinicians who have been in your shoes and are equipped to help you navigate any facility or clinical-related issues that may arise.

Do allied health travel jobs provide opportunities for professional growth?

Yes! Allied health travel jobs are an excellent way to fast-track professional growth. When you accept an travel job, you can get exposure to new environments, patient populations, and technology that may help level up your skillset and compensation

Want to learn more about allied health travel jobs at Nomad Health?

Nomad Health has created in-depth career guides to help aspiring allied health travelers better understand their field as a traveler and grow their skills and careers. Below are some of our most popular career guides for allied health travelers.