There are many different healthcare staffing agencies out there that work with dialysis techs and nurses who want to travel. It’s important to choose the right one for you to have the best experience possible. Every agency is different and offers different advantages and disadvantages to their professionals. In this article, we’ll explain some key things to look for in your travel dialysis staffing agency.
Why It’s Important to Find the Right Healthcare Staffing Agencies
So, why is it so important to research dialysis healthcare staffing agencies? You might think that all agencies are similar. However, this is a huge mistake that many dialysis professionals make.
Healthcare staffing agencies have control over many different things that can affect your career and experience. The agency you choose affects the types of jobs available, your compensation, and your overall experience as a traveling dialysis professional. Keep this in mind: the agency is essentially your employer. They’re the ones that find the jobs, provide you with benefits, and negotiate with the facilities who need your help. So, it’s important to be just as careful when choosing healthcare staffing agencies as you would when choosing a new job.
Important Factors to Consider for Dialysis Healthcare Staffing Agencies
There are many factors to consider when choosing the right agency for you. Knowing what to look for can help you make sure you choose dialysis healthcare staffing agencies that really fit you and provide you with the best opportunities. Doing your research now can go a long way in making sure your time as a traveler is fun, rewarding, and worthwhile. Here are some things to look for in a travel healthcare agency:
Look at How Much Support Healthcare Staffing Agencies Offer
As a traveler, the more support the better. There are many details that you need to iron out before each and every assignment. It’s important to make sure that the agency you choose can offer the level of support you need at each stage.
For instance, having a dedicated recruiter can be incredibly helpful. Rather than getting passed off to different recruiters every time you’re looking for a new assignment, it helps to have one point of contact. This way, the recruiter can really get to know you and your needs and tailor the jobs they send to you without you having to explain what you’re looking for each time. It also helps to have a recruiter that reaches out to check in during your travel dialysis jobs to make sure you’re doing well and happy with your assignment.
Additionally, look for dialysis healthcare staffing agencies that help with other aspects of your travel experience. For instance, support for credentialing can be incredibly helpful for travelers. In many cases, you’ll need to obtain a license in each and every state you practice in, which involves quite a lot of paperwork and planning. Having credentialing specialists to help you with these processes allows you to focus on what you do best: providing great care to kidney patients. Also, let’s not forget housing assistance so you can have peace of mind that you have somewhere to relax at the end of your shifts.
Consider the Number of Travel Dialysis Jobs Offered
It’s also important to consider the volume of travel dialysis jobs offered by different healthcare staffing agencies. The number of jobs they have available has a big impact on how easy it is to find assignments that fit your needs. If there’s a limited number of jobs, then many professionals are likely competing for them. Also, many of the jobs may not be exactly what you’re looking for. It’s important to check how many jobs they have available that fit your needs. For instance, if you’re a dialysis tech, make sure there’s a good number of available dialysis technician jobs at any given time so there’s less competition and you can choose based on your personal criteria.
Think About the Location the Agency Operates In
Another thing to consider when choosing a travel healthcare staffing agency is the geography. There are many agencies that only operate regionally, meaning you can only find assignments in a certain area. This limits your opportunities. Instead, look for a nationwide agency so you can choose to travel anywhere in the country and have more opportunities open to you. Even if you think you only want to practice in a certain state or region, it helps to keep your options open.
Check Out the Benefits & Compensation Packages
You also want to check out the compensation packages offered by different dialysis healthcare staffing agencies. The agency is the one who negotiates details regarding pay with the facilities. They are also the ones that provide the different benefits to their travel dialysis professionals. Therefore, you want to get a good sense of what to expect from each agency before you make a final decision.
While the exact hourly pay will be different for each assignment, you want to make sure that compensation rates are competitive. Also, don’t forget to consider other parts of pay packages, like medical insurance, dental insurance, 401K savings with matching, as well as things like stipends and housing.
One thing to consider is whether you would rather have agency provided housing or a housing stipend to find your own housing. This is generally included with the compensation package for travel dialysis techs and nurses. If you’re not sure, consider working with an agency that offers a choice between the two.
Choose Dialysis Healthcare Staffing Agencies with Joint Commission Certification
It’s also helpful to look for Joint Commission Certification for dialysis healthcare staffing agencies. The Joint Commission has strict quality guidelines for staffing companies, so it shows an extra dedication to going above and beyond for both professionals and facilities. It’s like a stamp showing that they exceed expectations and are committed to the highest level of performance.
Consider the Agency’s Reputation
Let’s not forget to check out what other people are saying about the agency. So, ask around to other dialysis pros you know and check out online reviews and testimonials. This can help you get a clear picture of what working with the agency is like and what to expect. Nothing beats word of mouth!
Top Dialysis Staffing Agency – AHS RenalStat
If you’re a dialysis professional ready to start traveling, our team at AHS RenalStat is here to help. We specialize in dialysis staffing and offer a wide range of travel dialysis jobs all over the country. Our only goal is to help you find the perfect match for every assignment you take. We are here to help you achieve your career goals and have a blast while doing it. Join the AHS family today by talking to our recruiters or browsing our job board!
