What's the difference between travel and local contract jobs, and where does per diem work fit in? Here's everything you need to know about these increasingly popular types of assignments, the unique benefits offered by each, and how to find contract healthcare jobs near you.
- Need a new assignment? Search travel and local contract healthcare jobs here
What's the Difference between Travel and Local Contract Healthcare Jobs?
Did you know that contract healthcare jobs aren't always travel assignments, but sometimes found within 50 miles of where you live? It's true, and it's the main difference between local contract and travel jobs: Local contracts are found within 50 miles of your home address, and travel jobs are 50 miles or more away.
So, the basic difference between travel and local contracts is simple: If a contract is within 50 miles of you, it's considered close enough to commute. Any farther, though, and it becomes your employer's responsibility to pay for your travel expenses. That means you get reimbursed for how much it costs to live (housing stipends) and eat (meal stipends), every single day, in that other location.
- Got questions about stipends? We've got answers! Learn more about how travelers boost their take-home pay with stipends here.
Other than the distance traveled, though, travel and local contract healthcare jobs are pretty much the same thing — temporary positions in hospitals, acute care centers, nursing facilities, clinics, and other types of healthcare facilities that usually last 13 weeks, often with the option to extend if all goes well.
What are the benefits of working travel and local contract healthcare jobs?
Why are more and more nurses and allied clinicians working travel and local contract healthcare jobs? Sometimes, it's because these jobs tend to pay more — especially travel jobs, when those stipends are factored in.
But pay isn't the only reason to work contract healthcare jobs. They also offer quite a few other benefits to nurses and clinicians, including:
- The flexibility to work when you want, and take time off between assignments to focus on other priorities
- The chance to try out a new setting or specialty without committing to a permanent role
- Opportunities to build skills and experience in the latest and greatest technology, equipment, or clinical best practices
- The chance to get paid to explore the U.S.A. (travel contracts) or to enjoy those same benefits without leaving home (local contract)
What's the difference between per diem and contract healthcare jobs?
So, where does per diem work fit in? Although they're often found on the same healthcare jobsites, per diem jobs are different from contract assignments. While they may also be contract-based, per diem jobs are usually offered as a standard employment relationship, although one where you only work on a limited basis.
In other words, when you take a per diem assignment, you're on call to work certain days of the week. During that assignment, you may be asked to work every one of those days, or just a few — or hardly any. It all depends on how much the facility needs you. Sometimes, you can also choose how often you're available, if you want to keep it to just a few days a week, or get as many hours as you can.
That means per diem jobs can be even more flexible than contract jobs — a big selling point if you need more time to pursue an education, care for family members, work a different job, or any number of other reasons. And, like contract assignment, per diem jobs tend to pay more than permanent positions.
- Interested in the per diem lifestyle? Learn more about per diem work and how it can benefit your career here.
What types of per diem and contract healthcare jobs are available for allied clinicians?
When you think of local contract, per diem, or especially travel jobs, you might think of nursing first. But these jobs are also open to many other types of healthcare professionals, including allied health workers like aides, therapists, techs, and assistants, among many others.
In fact, as we've seen in our recent editions of our Per Diem Job Release, more and more employers are looking for specific allied professionals (especially respiratory therapists and radiology techs) to fill per diem positions. The same holds true for travel contracts, too. You can learn more about allied travel here.
How to Find Contract Healthcare Jobs Near You
Looking to find contract healthcare jobs near you? At HealthTrust, we specialize in connecting professionals like you with the opportunities that best match your skills, qualifications, and personal preferences. And we've got locations all across the country to connect you with great contract jobs no matter where you live.
See for yourself: Check out the HealthTrust jobsite today to find hundreds of contract, travel, and per diem jobs near you and across the United States.
