How Travel Healthcare Professionals Can Navigate Natural Disasters
Introduction
So far, for anyone in the Southeastern US a hurricane is a difficult – sometimes devastating topic to discuss. And we still have almost 2 months of hurricane season left.
My significant other’s job requires him to travel regularly for work. A major hurdle we never predicted when choosing a career that put him on the road often, was the uncertainty of traveling during, and around natural disasters. And this got me thinking.
For travel clinicians, natural disasters bring unique challenges with almost as many unique opportunities. In this post, we will explore how travel healthcare professionals can navigate natural disasters. The experience of being a travel healthcare professional during a natural disaster, the pros & cons, and how to make the most of crisis contracts & assignments in affected areas.
The Reality
When disaster strikes, the demand for healthcare professionals often skyrockets. Healthcare facilities in affected areas can face overwhelming surges of patients and people seeking safety. Sometimes, this can take place while juggling structural damage to the facility from the disaster, power outages, and trouble accessing necessary supplies/equipment. For travelers, this presents fast-paced, high-stakes environments requiring adaptability, resilience, and a keen ability to perform well under pressure.
Sound like you? Let’s run through some of the challenges you will likely face in this environment.
- Safety Risks – Traveling to complete an assignment in a disaster zone may leave you facing personal safety concerns. This includes hazardous weather (snow, ice, wind, rain, floods, fire) unstable infrastructure (bridges, roads, buildings) and limited access to supplies & resources. Facilities and accommodations may also experience power outages, reduced access to running/clean water and even building damages.
- Mental & Emotional Toll – When providing care in a disaster-stricken area, it can take an eventual toll on you. Clinicians are often asked to provide care to people who are in shock, lost loved ones, or have nothing to return to. Working long hours in stressful conditions with limited rest can lead to burnout.
- Limited Resources – Clinicians may find themselves traveling to a facility with depleted resources; both supply & staff resources could be limited. Being creative and effectively manage patient care using only what’s available is crucial.
If you’re still with me, I’ll tell you some of the benefits and silver linings of traveling to work in natural disaster areas.
- High Demand, Higher Pay – Due to the urgency, difficulty, and even risk of crisis assignments, these contracts often come with premium pay rates. Clinicians who accept these contracts may receive additional compensation for OT hours & for those possessing certain critical skills or certs.
- Unique Professional Experience – Working in disaster zones provides unique opportunities to gain or enhance a clinician’s skills. You may gain proficiency in areas like emergency care, triage, trauma response, and rapid decision-making. All valuable abilities for career growth in your field.
- Impactful Opportunity – Travel clinicians can make profound impacts on communities in crisis. Providing care during or following a disaster is incredibly selfless and rewarding – knowing you are offering aid to those who need it most.
Tips on Navigating Natural Disasters as a Travel Clinician
Ready to make a difference? If you’re considering taking a travel assignment in a disaster zone, here’s several strategies to help ensure you are prepared, and able to thrive.
- Stay Informed – Before accepting an assignment prone to disasters, or a crisis contract, be sure to stay updated on current events and weather patterns. Take advantage of primary news coverage from places like the National Weather Service. When offered an assignment, don’t be scared to ask about the facility’s preparedness plans & the safety protocols created for staff. Ardor’s recruiting team is equipped to work diligently and keep clinicians informed of emerging crisis opportunities, and conditions of the affected area. We ensure you have the info you need to make informed decisions about accepting assignments nationwide.
- Assess Your Readiness – It’s critical to consider the risky, high-stress environment you’re likely to encounter in a crisis assignment. Travel clinicians who excel in these settings tend to be adaptable, resourceful, and capable of effectively coping with mental & emotional strain.
- Looking for Crisis & Disaster Assignments – During your travel job search, look for crisis contracts which are typically shorter term, high demand assignments offering increased pay & benefits. These contracts may include additional stipends, relocation assistance, and other financial incentives to ensure clinicians are quickly deployed to areas in need.
- Bonus Tip: Because deployment is likely to have much quicker than usual onboarding timelines, ensure before you apply to assignments like this that you have all necessary credentials and docs updated & ready to go. Areas needing caregivers via crisis contracts cannot wait on onboarding delays.
- Leveraging Your Skills – Clinicians working in disaster zones can and will build a strong resume that demonstrates ability to handle emergency situations. Take stock of skills & certs you already possess which can be leveraged for your first crisis contract. Be sure to do this each time you complete a disaster assignment to keep your resume updated. These experiences can make you more attractive to future employers and open doors in specialized roles in emergency care.
Conclusion
Once more for good measure, traveling as a clinician to natural disaster zones is not for the faint of heart. It can, however, be a highly rewarding and career-defining experience. The opportunity to provide critical care in times of need, coupled with the benefits offered in crisis contracts, makes this a compelling option for any healthcare professionals who thrive in challenging situations. Did this post deeply resonate with you? Then you’re likely ready to step up as a crisis clinician, and Ardor Health is here to help you navigate your path.
Whether you’re seeking a crisis opportunity, or a traditional travel assignment, our mission is to educate & inform you about the travel options available to you and empower you to make the most of whichever journey you choose – no matter where it takes you. ✈️
#GoFartherWithArdor