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If you’re a certified nursing assistant (CNA) or personal care assistant (PCA) looking for a new challenge, traveling for healthcare assignments might be the perfect career move for you. PCA travel assignments have been gaining popularity over the years as it provides an opportunity to explore different parts of the country while pursuing a fulfilling career in healthcare.
What are PCA Travel Assignments?
PCA travel assignments are temporary healthcare jobs that require certified nursing assistants or personal care assistants to work in different locations for a specified period. The duration of each assignment varies from a few weeks to several months, depending on the healthcare facility’s needs.
Healthcare facilities like hospitals, nursing homes, and rehab centers across the country hire PCA travel nurses when they experience staffing shortages due to leaves of absence, sudden resignation, or medical emergencies. These facilities depend on travel nurses to provide high-quality patient care and maintain patient safety standards while their permanent staff is unavailable.
What are the Requirements for PCA Travel Assignments?
The primary requirement for PCA travel assignments is a certification as a nursing assistant or personal care assistant. Candidates should also have experience working in a healthcare facility to ensure that they’re well-versed in patient care protocols and safety standards.
Travel nurses should be prepared to live away from home for an extended period and be flexible with their work schedules. PCA travel assignments may require you to work on weekends or night shifts, depending on the healthcare facility’s needs. Candidates should also have a valid driver’s license and reliable transportation to commute to different healthcare facilities.
What are the Benefits of PCA Travel Assignments?
PCA travel assignments offer several benefits that make them an attractive career choice for nursing assistants and personal care assistants. Some of these benefits include:
- Higher Earnings: PCA travel nurses typically earn higher salaries than their permanent counterparts due to the employee’s temporary nature.
- Professional Growth: PCA travel assignments offer an opportunity to gain new experiences working in different healthcare settings, expanding your skill set and knowledge base.
- Travel Opportunities: PCA travel nurses get to visit different parts of the country, explore new cultures, and meet new people, making it an excellent choice for individuals who love to travel.
- Flexible Work Schedule: PCA travel assignments offer more flexibility in work schedules, allowing travel nurses to balance their work and personal life better.
- Networking Opportunities: PCA travel assignments allow nursing assistants and personal care assistants to network with other healthcare professionals, creating opportunities for future career advancement.
How to Become a PCA Travel Nurse?
If you’re interested in becoming a PCA travel nurse, there are several steps that you need to follow:
- Get Certified: The first step to becoming a PCA travel nurse is obtaining certification as a nursing assistant or personal care assistant.
- Gain Experience: Healthcare facilities prefer candidates with experience working in healthcare settings. Gaining experience working in a healthcare facility increases your chances of getting hired as a PCA travel nurse.
- Connect with a Staffing Agency: Most healthcare facilities rely on staffing agencies to recruit and hire travel nurses. Connecting with a reputable staffing agency makes it easier to access a wider range of job opportunities.
- Apply for Jobs: After connecting with a staffing agency, the next step is to apply for available jobs that match your skills and experience level.
- Prepare for Interviews: Once you’ve applied for a job, the staffing agency may schedule an interview to assess your suitability for the job. Preparing for interviews increases your chances of getting hired.
- Complete Required Paperwork: If you’re hired for a job, you’ll need to complete the necessary paperwork like background checks, medical exams, and drug tests.
- Start Working: After completing the necessary paperwork, you’ll be ready to start your PCA travel assignment.
Conclusion
PCA travel assignments present a unique opportunity for nursing assistants and personal care assistants to explore different parts of the country while pursuing a fulfilling career in healthcare. If you’re interested in becoming a PCA travel nurse, follow the steps outlined in this guide to increase your chances of getting hired.