Travel Histology – Here’s the scoop!!

As a recruiter, I work exclusively in permanent placement but of course I couldn’t help but notice the dramatic uptick in histo techs moving from   permanent positions to travel work in recent years and had to ask why?

Here’s what I have found:

In the past (prior to 2019), travel histo techs were engaged more for interim replacement of workers on some type of long-term leave. i.e., family or extended sick leave etc. 

And the typical travelers were either histo techs who were close to retirement and didn’t want to commit to anything long term or histo techs who were forced to travel because they couldn’t or wouldn’t relocate and had to leave the area to find work.

Nowadays, It appears that the greatest motivation is a financial one.

The traditional travelers are still traveling but now everyone from entry level to mid-career also wants to get into travel histology.

  • They are traveling to save for that trip of a lifetime
  • They are traveling to save for their wedding
  • They are traveling to save to buy a house
  • They are traveling to pay off school debt.

One thing has NOT changed though.  Travel Histology is short term career move.  Most techs eventually return to permanent employment.

Why?

Stability; Great Benefits; PTO; Career Growth and Training.

How Travel Histology Works – The Nuts and Bolts.

Here is some basic information on how travel histology works:

  • The ideal candidate is ASCP certified and CLIA qualified to gross with a minimum of 2 years of experience
  • The typical assignment is 13 weeks in length and can be anywhere in the United States.
  • The travel agency will pay a combination of an hourly rate and travel expenses.
  • The Travel Agency may or may not provide benefits like health and PTO.
  • The Travel histo tech is usually expected to perform high quality work in a fast-paced environment.

Let’s move on to the Pros and Cons of Travel Histology.

Travel histo techs work on temporary assignments in different locations, usually through a staffing agency. They may work in hospitals, clinics, research centers or other facilities that need histology services for a short or long period of time. Travel histo techs can enjoy many benefits from their work, but they also face some challenges and drawbacks. Let’s explore some of the pros and cons of working as a travel histo tech and provide some tips on how to decide if it is right for you.

Pros of Working as a Travel Histo Tech

Some of the advantages of working as a travel histo tech include:

 Higher pay. Travel histo techs can earn a higher total compensation package than permanent histo techs.  This is because they also receive additional compensation such as travel reimbursement, housing allowance, bonuses, and tax benefits from their staffing agency.

More flexibility. Travel histo techs have more control over their schedule, They can choose when, where and how much they want to work, depending on the assignments they accept. They may also have the opportunity to travel to different places for their assignments.

 More variety. Travel histo techs can work in different types of labs      which can provide them with more variety and challenge in their work. They can also expand their network.

Cons of Working as a Travel Histo Tech

Some of the disadvantages of working as a travel histo tech include:

 Less stability. Travel histo techs do not have a guaranteed income or job security, as their work depends on the availability and demand of projects. They may face periods of unemployment or underemployment when there is less work or more competition. They may also have difficulty planning for their future or making long-term commitments because of the uncertainty of their income.

 Less benefits. Travel histo techs typically do not receive as the full benefits programs that a permanent position offers such as health insurance, retirement plans, paid leave, or bonuses from their employer. It is common for travel histo techs to be responsible for paying their own taxes, insurance premiums, social security contributions and other expenses related to their work.  

Wage Recharacterization.  It can happen to YOU! If the travel histo tech is being paid a combination of travel expenses and an hourly wage  it appears that the IRS will expect the histo tech to claim the prevailing wage for the area as taxable income so some of that “tax free” money could actually be taxable.                    For Example:  If you are being paid and taxed on 16 per hour and given the rest as “travel expenses” and the prevailing wage for the area (average rate for the geographic area is actually 30 per hour you could be responsible for taxes on an additional 12 dollars per hour from your pay.  The IRS is currently auditing several healthcare agencies here in the U.S. for this issue.                                                          

It is advisable to check with an accounting professional.                                                                                                                                   

Training and Development. They also typically have less access to training, development, and career advancement opportunities than permanent Histo techs.

 Less protection. Travel histo techs may not be covered by labor and employment laws that protect employees from discrimination, harassment, wrongful termination, or unfair treatment. They may also have less bargaining power or legal recourse if they encounter problems or disputes with their employer. They may also face risks such as liability, injury or damage to their property or equipment while performing their work.

 Less support. Travel histo techs may feel isolated or lonely and do not have a regular team or colleagues to interact with. They may also have less guidance or feedback from their clients or mentors on how to improve their work or solve problems. They may also face challenges in managing their time, finances, workload, and stress levels without the support of an employer.

How to Decide Between Travel vs. Permanent Histology.

There is no definitive answer to whether working as a travel histo tech or a permanent histo tech is better for you, as it depends on your personal preferences, goals, and circumstances. However, here are some questions you can ask yourself to help you make an informed decision:

 – What are your career objectives and aspirations?

 – What are your financial needs and expectations?

 – What are your skills, qualifications, and experience?

 – What are your values, interests, and passions?

 – What are your preferred work style and environment?

 – How do you cope with uncertainty, risk, and change?

 – How do you balance your work and personal life?

By weighing the pros and cons of working as a travel histo tech and answering these questions honestly, you can determine which type of work arrangement suits you best.

Love Permanent Work?  How To Make The Most Of The Surge In Travel In The Histology Profession.

Are you a tech who is working in a permanent position alongside travelers?

Are you feeling overworked and underpaid?

Do you resent that travelers are making more money than you?

I get it! 

But here’s the thing… in fairness to travelers  let’s see what is really happening:

  • Travelers aren’t REALLY making more than you. 
  • They are making about the same PAY and having their living expenses paid for which MAY or MAY NOT be tax deductible.
  • They are far from home.
  • Most are living in hotels or sharing apartments
  • Most don’t have paid time off.
  • Plenty of work right now; however, no assignment no paycheck.
  • I am hearing through the grapevine that rates are going down as well as perks and number of openings!

Instead of focusing on what the travelers are getting let’s focus on how to leverage the situation to GROW your career!

Histo techs!  Now is your time to shine!  Nationwide histology programs are turning out great entry level techs and most of them are being snapped up.  However, the REAL shortage is Experienced, Certified Histo techs. 

That’s you!!!!

Ask for extra responsibility. Do you dream of being a lead tech or manager?  Now is the time to talk to your manager about what you need to do to move up. Does your manager know about all of things you can do?  Tell them, show them.  A good manager will appreciate a helping hand.

Cross train. Are you just working in one area of the histology lab?  Ask to cross train and learn new things.  It will enhance your experience and help your manager when they are short handed to have a tech that is flexible.  A tech that wants to and can-do multiple jobs.

Help a new tech out.  Somebody new in your lab not quite fitting in or not quite “getting it”?  Can you help them to be productive members of your team?  Your rewards are twofold – You get to impress your supervisor AND that tech might be the key to you getting the time off or schedule that you want.

Go for another certification. Now is the time – get that QIHC or HTL you are positioning yourself for more senior opportunities and that is where the greatest shortage is.

Join the national or your state society. Get involved, take the webinars, go to meetings.  You will learn and grow from the experience. 

If you show your commitment, drive, and passion for what you do this could be the pinnacle of opportunity for furthering your career!

This has been a learning experience for me as well.

As a matter of fact, I am learning more every day about travel histology.

I am happy to share it with you.

I welcome any and all feedback via email at relia1@earthlink.net

If you would like more articles like this delivered to your inbox shoot me at email to relia1@earthlink.net

Thanks

Pam Barker

President RELIA Solutions for Histology Professionals

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