Travel Surg Tech

Alice in Pascagoula, Mississippi said: I am thinking about doing a few surg tech travel assignments. Has anyone done any travel surg tech ??? What are some good companies to travel with?? Thanks.

NOT FAVORITE NURSING

Erin in Washington, District of Columbia said: Get as many specialty cases as you can during clinical most of the time you get offered a job where you do clinicals. Most agencies will not hire you right out of school because of lack of knowledge. After a year with good professional references or 2 year minimium agencies will then hire you. Just make sure you stay in good relations with the places you do clinicals because that is your best bet for hire.

I agree. I did my clinicals in MS and I got a job there. I am now interesting in traveling for 2012. Looking for something new and a change.

Lil'Boss in Omaha, Nebraska said: Okay, sorry everyone - I am new this website and didn't realize my reply would post openly. Anyhow, if ANYONE can help me please let me know. I am really wanting to become a CST but I am so afraid that my felony will hold me back from employment, as it already has in numerous markets. I live in Omaha, NE and I hear anything in the medical field is kind of off limits with a felony. (It was for a DUI) PLEASE EMAIL me at: getrichtrydyn@yahoo.com

I HAVE 2 FELONYS AND HAVE BEEN TRAVELING FOR 14 YEARS. CONTACT ME AT vafishawk@playful.com

2 felonys and have been traveling for 14 years

hello. i am currently a certified ophthalmic assistant, i have worked in ophthalmology for 9 years. i am also currently 7 mos out of 22 mos into the surgical technologist program at FORTIS college. upon graduation i will receive my associate's and certification. it is ridiculously expensive. but i decided it was my best choice in the area b/c it is 1 of 2 schools that is CAAHEP/NBSTSA accredited. this is a metro area and we have great hospitals nearby. all the past and recent grads have amazing jobs!

***can anyone give me advice on when to start looking for a position? i start my clinicals in july. is it ok to start looking when i start my clinicals? also, my instructor told me that if i was interested in traveling they my bypass the needed 1 year st exp for my 9 years in ophthamology. most of my exp was in retina/cornea(LASIK). but also have exp with anterior segment/glaucoma.

thanks for your help!

Alice in Pascagoula, Mississippi said: I am thinking about doing a few surg tech travel assignments. Has anyone done any travel surg tech ??? What are some good companies to travel with?? Thanks.

I don't recommend Cross Country. You get no help,no one ever answers a call, they mess with your paycheck, don't pay weekly, and don't have your back if there is a problem. I did three assignments with them, which was three too many! Try Liquid Agents or Clinical One.

Debfreeman64@yahoo.com in Acworth, Georgia said: Cross Country is terrible. I've had a horrible experience with them. Stat away from Cross Country Corp.

I agree! Stay away from Cross Country!

I as well had a bad experience with nova pro and it is a decision of cross country.

I am also interested in travel CST work. I have been working as a CST for almost three years. I have ENT/OTO, Oral Maxillofacial (OMFS), Plastics, SON, General Surg, Gyn, Uro, and a bit of Neuro experience. I have also done small sports cases. I have experience with Micro cases with hand and neck and urology. I currently make $19.83 an hour at an outpatient surgery center. I do not want to go anywhere and make less than this. I also receive full benefits and they are great benefits. I have read plenty of horror stories from travel nurses to travel CST or travel PT's. I want a travel agency that is going to pay well and put me where I feel comfortable. So any advice in regards to top notch travel agencies would be greatly appreciated. Plus let me know where your favorite place was and why and I would really like to know which agency pays the best. Don't be shy about your information please. Thank you Michelle Johnson CST.

I dont know if this is a silly question, but are there any companies that allow you to have pets?

Does anyone know if there are companies that allow you to have pets?

I'm thinking about traveling and curious to know if my speciality is needed in the travel industry... I have 4 yrs of extensive experience in open heart,thoracic surgery,and vascular procedures. My open heart experience includes on/off pump cabg, multiple valve replacements, atrial septal defect repairs,ascending aorta repair, complete and semi arch repair with head vessel reimplantion.ect..Thoracic includes; descending aortic repair w/ inferior/superior kidneys reimplantment of renal arteries,wedge and lob resections of lungs via thoracoscopy or thoracotomy. As far as vascular procedures pretty much anything and everything. Fem distals,Fem pops,Fem Fem. Aortal bi Fem,AAA,carotid endartectomy,carotid to subclavian bypass, AV fistulas. All of my experience is in this speciality. I was fortunate to get a job offer to be on a Heart team right out of school.

There is a huge need for this in the travel field. And it makes you very marketable. If you are interested in some good companies, I can give you a few with great recruiters.

eeshie9 in Charlottesville, Virginia said: There is a huge need for this in the travel field. And it makes you very marketable. If you are interested in some good companies, I can give you a few with great recruiters.

That would be great! I'm in the beginners process of trying to figure what this is all about. I have really no clue to expect. Thank you!

I just graduated and I have taken my certification and passed, I'm in georgia and I am having a hard time finding work and I am considering being a traveling CST, but I notice everyone saying you need at least 1yr of experience. Doesn't my clinicals time count as experience; which was like 7 months for me. I have done alot of L&D, GYN,and general. I've also done some vascular, plastics, and endo. Any advice as far as what good company may give me a chance

michelle said: I am also interested in travel CST work. I have been working as a CST for almost three years. I have ENT/OTO, Oral Maxillofacial (OMFS), Plastics, SON, General Surg, Gyn, Uro, and a bit of Neuro experience. I have also done small sports cases. I have experience with Micro cases with hand and neck and urology. I currently make $19.83 an hour at an outpatient surgery center. I do not want to go anywhere and make less than this. I also receive full benefits and they are great benefits. I have read plenty of horror stories from travel nurses to travel CST or travel PT's. I want a travel agency that is going to pay well and put me where I feel comfortable. So any advice in regards to top notch travel agencies would be greatly appreciated. Plus let me know where your favorite place was and why and I would really like to know which agency pays the best. Don't be shy about your information please. Thank you Michelle Johnson CST.[/QUOT

NO Recruiter at a top notch agency will work with you based on this post. The key to being a traveler is flexibility. If you are money motivated then stay where you're at. It is very competitive and 3 years w/ no travel will put you at the top of no one's list. Lower your expectations and take traveling for what it is...an opportunity to see new places and facilities. Your housing and travel is provided so your hourly rate will not be the same as a perm position. Be realistic and good luck.

Jesse Decker in San Diego, California said:

I doubt that there are NO agencies that will deal with my one request. There are a ton of agencies out there. While I am sure it is competitive I am sure I will find something that will suit my needs. Yes, I agree that I need to be flexible and I am on everything else really. I fully understand that traveling is supposed to be an experience and I will take full advantage of that when I start. However, I do know that the reason most facilities take on travelers is to meet the needs of their department for certain periods of time. I also know that most of the time they pay travelers more than their permanent staff or relatively close to what they pay. We took on many travelers at the hospital that I work for and they were payed at least $2 more an hour than I was paid. So I do know that there are places out there.

Hi. I have over 15yrs exp. in the CVOR. I've been traveling for a few years and I fairly enjoy it. I'm considering a position in MO at Freeman Hospital. Does anyone know anything about there Heart program? IF anyone have info on other good travel assignments with a great recruiter, please contact me ASAP.

michelle said: I doubt that there are NO agencies that will deal with my one request. There are a ton of agencies out there. While I am sure it is competitive I am sure I will find something that will suit my needs. Yes, I agree that I need to be flexible and I am on everything else really. I fully understand that traveling is supposed to be an experience and I will take full advantage of that when I start. However, I do know that the reason most facilities take on travelers is to meet the needs of their department for certain periods of time. I also know that most of the time they pay travelers more than their permanent staff or relatively close to what they pay. We took on many travelers at the hospital that I work for and they were payed at least $2 more an hour than I was paid. So I do know that there are places out there.

Hi Michelle, The only stumbling block you'll get, is that you have no travel exp. Hopsitals are for some reason starting to shy away from first time travelers. My advice is not to so much focus on the company BUT the recruiter. Recruiters can give their company a bad rep. And also, don't be quick to dismiss a job offer if it's under the amount you want. Add up the tax-free money the company might be offering along with the pay, before you say no. If you would like to chat more, just e-mail me. I know a few companies that will try to find first time travelers not just a job, but a job that will suit them. Good luck!!