Hi! So, you have some questions. We’ve put together a few common ones we get, but don’t hesitate to contact us to have a chat if you don’t find what you’re looking for here.
What is required to become a traveling healthcare professional with Focus Staff?
Focus Staff recommends one year of recent experience in your specialty, although minimum requirements may vary slightly depending on your professional discipline. You must also provide professional references and a valid professional license.
Does Focus Staff require its traveling healthcare professionals to sign a long-term contract?
No. Focus Staff’s travelers only need to sign a contract for each assignment they accept.
What is the typical length of a travel assignment?
The assignments you’ll undertake with Focus Staff typically last 13 weeks. We also sometimes have shorter-term positions available. Many traveling therapists and health providers choose to extend their assignments past the initial 13 weeks, perhaps to 26 weeks.
Can I travel with my family to my assignments?
Certainly! Focus Staff highly recommends that if any of our traveling healthcare associates believe it will work for their families, that they take advantage of the opportunity to travel nationwide and explore the country together.
How soon can I start a new assignment as a traveling healthcare provider?
Typically, most of the traveling therapists that work with Focus Staff begin their assignments within 2-4 weeks from the time they accept an offer with a hospital, clinic, school or private health provider.
What happens when I have completed my assignment?
Many of the allied health providers that work for Focus Staff choose to extend the current contract another 13 weeks and other choose to sign a contract for another healthcare organization in another part of our country. Your Focus Staff recruiter will remain in touch with you throughout your current assignment and will discuss your available options with you 4-6 weeks before the end of the term.
Is there anyone available at Focus Staff if I have a problem after hours?
Focus Staff strongly believes in being available to our traveling healthcare workers. For after-hours assistance, please dial our main line at 877-29-FOCUS (293-6287), and our answering service will be glad to help you. Please provide the operator your name, a number where you can be reached and your reason for calling, and they will contact the appropriate Focus Staff team member.
Do you offer referral bonuses?
Focus Staff believes that one of the best ways to expand our network of experienced traveling allied healthcare professionals is through referrals from our current employees. Check out our awesome referral program.
Does Focus Staff offer any overseas assignments?
Focus Staff does not place any traveling healthcare professionals in foreign countries, however, we do have clients outside the lower 48 states such as in Alaska, Hawaii, U.S. Virgin Islands.
Does Focus Staff offer a benefits package to its employees?
Yes. Focus Staff believes in taking care of those who provide extraordinary healthcare across the country. We offer:
- Extremely competitive wages
- United Healthcare health and dental benefits
- Tax-free stipend for meals and lodging
- Reimbursements for travel expenses and professional licensure
- Highly competitive referral bonus programs
- Partnerships with housing providers, to ensure safe and quality housing options
- Resume evaluation, resume formatting and interview coaching to ensure job acquisition
- Weekly paycheck, available with direct deposit
- Reimbursement for continuing education
- Access to multiple facilities nationwide, including hospitals, research facilities, rehabilitation centers, outpatient clinics, skilled nursing facilities, sports medicine, schools and more
How often do Focus Staff’s traveling therapists and healthcare providers get paid?
Focus Staff issues weekly paychecks for the previous work week.
Does Focus Staff offer direct deposit to its traveling healthcare providers?
Yes. We offer direct deposit on a weekly basis.
Does Focus Staff offer Tax-Free Per Diem to its therapists and healthcare employees?
Yes, those Focus Staff employees who are eligible according to the guidelines set by the Federal Government’s guidelines may receive a portion of their earnings tax-free.
What type of housing is offered?
Focus Staff generally provides its traveling healthcare workers and therapists with a one-bedroom or studio apartment. Focus Staff strives to ensure your safety and comfort, and endeavors to provide you with a safe, clean, quality apartment close to your facility. Note that occasionally we may find our options may be limited due to the healthcare facility’s location, the season, vacancies or whether you have pets, among other factors. Rest assured, we will work with you and our contacts in our clients’ cities to get you settled in a comfortable home away from home.
Do I need to bring anything with me besides clothing and my professional supplies?
Many of our travelers will bring their own household items with them on assignment (i.e., dishes, pans, towels, electronics, sheets, vacuum, etc.). For many assignments, these items will be ready for your use; this will depend on the housing we are able to find for you. For more information, please speak with your Focus Staff recruiter.
Does Focus Staff allow me to travel with a pet?
Focus Staff knows that it can be hard to leave our furry friends behind. You may choose to travel with your pet, but do know that many of the housing options we have available have breed and size restrictions in place. If you would like to travel as a healthcare provider with your pet, please speak with your Focus Staff representative.
Can Focus Staff accommodate my special housing needs?
Focus Staff believes in accommodating our employee healthcare workers with housing that meets their needs and will endeavor to find an apartment that meets your specific requirements. Focus Staff will pay for a standard one bedroom or studio apartment. Certain amenities outside these standard options may require that a co-pay be assessed. Please speak with your Focus Staff recruiter to discuss your specific requirements.
Do I need to be licensed in each state I work, and how can I find out about the license requirements?
All of Focus Staff’s traveling allied healthcare employees must be licensed in the state where they will be on assignment, when and if required by that state. Depending on the state you’ll be traveling to work, you may find that a temporary practice permit can be obtained quickly, while other states have a more lengthy process.
How long does it take to get licensed?
This can depend on several factors, including the number of licenses you currently hold and the requirements of each state’s licensure board. You can work with our licensing coordinator to make sure you are prepared with your licensing requirements before your next assignment.
Does Focus Staff reimburse its traveling healthcare workers for obtaining advanced Certification such as NRP, ACLS, PALS, TNCC, etc.?
Yes. Focus Staff believes in the importance of providing a means for our traveling employees to enhance their careers through advanced certifications. Please consult with your recruiter to coordinate this throughout your assignment(s).