EEG Tech Enjoys Career Boost as Allied Health Traveler
David Garcia, an electroencephalogram (EEG) technologist from Florida, recently completed nearly three years working as an allied health traveler with Club Staffing, an AMN Healthcare company.
“I dec
ided to become a traveler because I wanted to expand my horizons and I wanted to experience the different hospital environments and protocols,” Garcia explained. “I was also excited to travel in different parts of the country.”
Club Staffing works with all types of allied healthcare professionals—such as physical and occupational therapists, x-ray and ultrasound technologists, and other medical technologists—to place them in exciting, career-enhancing travel positions around the country.
During his tenure as an allied health traveler, Garcia worked at University of Texas Medical Branch in Galveston, Texas, and Yale-New Haven Hospital in New Haven, Conn.
“During my stint at Yale, I had a chance to learn much more in-depth about epilepsy—the different types, and about different protocols such as epilepsy monitoring units (EMUs),” he commented.
“I’ve also learned about different cultures and seen how different states enjoy themselves,” Garcia continued. “Like in Florida, everyone is at the beach, out in the sun and hanging out. Up in Connecticut, they have indoor activities they enjoy when it is cold.”
“Every time I visit a new place, I go to the top-10 recommended tourist locations and activities. For instance in New Haven, I visited the Yale campus and a water park. On trips to New York City, which is just a two-and-a-half hour drive from New Haven, I visited the Statue of Liberty, Times Square, Metro Zoo and a wax museum.”
In addition to seeing popular sights and gaining excellent work experience, being an allied health traveler allows you to experience unique restaurants and different local fare. For instance, Garcia encourages everyone who visits New Haven to eat at Frank Pepe’s and to try the mashed potato pizza. This dining establishment has been in business since 1925 and was even visited by President Bill Clinton while he was in office.
“Working as a traveler gave me more opportunities when I started seeking a permanent position,” remarked Garcia. “Employers were able to see that I had a broad range of experiences and that I was flexible, willing to try new things and open to learning and growing in my profession. Everyone is impressed that I worked at Yale.”
“Yale was seeking a registered EEG tech and David wasn’t yet registered,” stated Ashley Franco, Garcia’s recruiter at Club Staffing. “I had to advocate for him to get the interview and then he proved to be so professional and skilled that they kept extending his contract for two years!”
“David is a great traveler because he is very flexible and is a team player at the hospitals where he is on assignment. He is always responsive if I need him for a phone call or an email,” she added.
Franco noted that there are travel positions available throughout the country for allied healthcare professionals; many specialties are in demand, including rehabilitation professionals.
Garcia encourages others to give allied health travel a try.
“Traveling is a fun experience and something you must try,” exuded Garcia. “It may seem a little scary at first, but your recruiter is there every step of the way to help you take the best route and you will learn a lot. If you want to see different parts of the U.S., being a traveler is the best way to do it. You get paid to travel!”
“For me the biggest challenge was being away from my family during the holidays, but I would do it all over again in a heartbeat,” he reflected. “My recruiter, Ashley, helped me every step of the way. She made me feel secure in every location and if I had a question she would respond right away. She made me feel like family.”
Take your allied health career to the next level with help from the experts at Club Staffing. Find out more about travel healthcare opportunities today.