What is a Travel Medical Technologist

If you want to combine your love of travel with a unique role in patient care, a travel medical technologist (MLT) may be right for you. The great news is there is a high demand for MLTs, which means the likelihood of landing a fantastic job doing what you love while seeing new sites is high.

What is a travel medical technologist?

An MLT is a medical professional who helps doctors, nurses, and other healthcare professionals prevent, diagnose, and treat diseases and illnesses through lab testing. As a travel MLT, you'll enjoy freedom and independence while getting paid competitive rates, often higher than non-travel counterparts, and exploring new cities.

You typically work one short-term contract at a time, usually about 12-14 weeks each, at different hospitals and facilities such as labs, private practices, or outpatient centers. These contracts present you with the ability to gain experience from a variety of facilities and co-workers, as well as explore multiple locations throughout the U.S. There may be an opportunity to extend a contract if you like where you are, professionally and personally. This enables you to continue to build relationships with staff and experience more of the location you call home.

Several other names can also refer to a travel medical technologist, which is important to know when you are doing your research:

• Travel Medical Laboratory Technologist
• Travel Clinical Laboratory Technicians
• Travel Medical Laboratory Technician

What does a traveling medical technologist do?

An MLT can have several roles, including handling bodily fluids to check for disease and abnormalities, collecting blood or urine samples, maintaining sterile conditions and equipment, managing patient data, and helping patients and providers discover various health concerns.

As a travel medical technologist, you can receive incredible benefits, depending on the staffing company you partner with. At Cross Country, those benefits include comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance with optional family coverage, 401(k) with company match, professional liability coverage, travel and temporary housing reimbursement, assistance with state licensing and certification, employee discounts, and continuing education and tuition discounts.

Why work as a travel MLT

There are several pros to choosing a career as a travel MLT. To begin with, you play an essential role in a patient's healthcare journey. Your work is a vital step for doctors and health professionals to provide diagnosis and treatments to patients. Clinical laboratories are essential, and 70% of today's medical decisions depend on laboratory test results.

As mentioned, you will often earn a higher salary than those working in permanent healthcare industry positions. Why? There is a high demand for MLTs. In fact, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of clinical laboratory technologists and technicians is projected to grow 5 percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations. Why? Adults are living longer, and there is an increased need for diagnosing medical conditions.

How to become a travel medical technologist

The qualifications to become a travel MLT can differ, but typically include an associate or bachelor's degree in lab technology or a related field. Some employers prefer and often require a post-secondary medical lab technician training program to become certified by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP). One to two years of lab experience is also advised.

Some states require MLTs to have a valid license, so if you plan to move around after each contract, you may need licensure in each state. The latest state licensing requirements and maintaining licensure can be complex, which is another reason to work with a knowledgeable recruiter who can guide you through the process.

If you love to travel and explore new destinations, meet new friends, and experience multiple working environments, a career in travel healthcare is definitely for you. Add in the love of science, helping to solve medical issues to help patients thrive, and a high demand for hiring with great pay and benefits, a travel medical technologist could be in your near future.

Click here to learn more about becoming a travel medical technologist and explore job openings.