Travel Histologist - Pros and Cons

Six years ago, I left Philadelphia and embarked on a journey to study the laboratory industry while completing medical school. Ironically, I find myself back in Philadelphia, completing my final travel assignment in the same city where It all began. The journey has been arduous, to say the least. It was 7:45 am, and as I prepared to start my day, a colleague approached me to ask about my experience as a traveling professional.

While I’ve been afforded both adventures and stability through limitless opportunities and substantial pay, there are also certain disadvantages to working on the road. Becoming a travel histologist is a daunting decision, which is why I’ve listed the pros and cons from my own experience. This will help you determine whether traveling is a good fit for you.

Pros

1. Earn great pay

One of the most significant advantages of being a travel histologist is that you can make a six-figure salary. With a chronic workforce shortage in the laboratory industry, travelers are paid a premium for every contract signed. This means you’ll be earning more than the permanent staff at any institution that employs you.

2. Receive a tax-free living stipend

As a travel histologist, you will be allotted a tax-free stipend for housing, transportation, meals, and incidental expenses. Stipends vary state to state and increase your yearly income by providing tax-free funds for expenses usually covered by a person’s paycheck.

3. Get paid to travel

As a travel histologist, you have the opportunity to explore the country and see new places you may not have visited otherwise – all while getting paid! In addition, you have some flexibility around where you wish to be posted and for how long. I made a habit of signing 13-week contracts with the idea of renewing if I enjoyed the area.

4. Avoid all the workplace drama

No matter where you work, interpersonal drama is inevitable. One of my favorite aspects of temporary work is the ability to stay removed from the workplace tensions. You may not be totally immune to the drama, but you won’t be wrapped up in the history and context involved in workplace issues and politics. You are expected to show up, do your job, be cordial with everyone and clock out at the end of your shift. Additionally, you are shielded from permanent staff obligations, making your assignment less complicated.

5. Gain valuable knowledge 

This benefit is the primary reason I joined the traveling workforce – exposure to a variety of laboratories and workflow systems. You learn new and diverse techniques, processes, procedures, equipment, and challenges. As a result, you gain experience and expand your laboratory portfolio and network while broadening your resume. Each completed assignment prepares you for the next and increases your employability.

Cons

1. No paid time off (PTO)

It is rare for agencies to offer travelers paid time off. So, if an emergency arises while you’re on an assignment, you won’t receive any pay while you deal with it. Moreover, some agencies will deduct your living stipend for any days of missed work. Therefore, before the assignment begins, I recommend mapping out the days you know you need off, finding coverage, and checking whether the laboratory will allow you to make up the missed time by working additional days.

2. Finding affordable, safe housing can be difficult

Some travel agencies will help you with housing. However, it can be expensive, cutting into your living stipend. In addition, finding housing can be challenging. You will generally have to choose your accommodation remotely without the chance to physically inspect the unit, making this one of the top cons of traveling. Consider booking an Airbnb or hotel for the first two weeks of your assignment, giving you time to attend viewings and ask colleagues about any safety concerns in the area before signing a lease. 

3. Your taxes could be a nightmare

Travel histologists are constantly on the road. Therefore, you will be responsible for claiming taxes at every location you work. Filing multiple state returns can be challenging and prone to mistakes, which are often costly to fix. My advice; skip the headache and hire a tax professional who has experience with travelers.

4. Bad assignments

You will always be the new employee at every assignment. The laboratory is paying a premium to bring you on and you may be the highest-paid staff on the unit. Therefore, expect to be assigned the most complicated and undesirable cases. You are permitted only a short learning curve and will be expected to perform at the highest level without excuses. The permanent staff will be varying degrees of helpful, and complaining is not an option. To manage the added pressure, learn to develop a thick skin, always be professional, and make a practice of outperforming.

5. You may not have an ideal schedule

As a travel histologist, you are brought in to fill holes in a weakened laboratory workflow system. Consequently, you may not be given your choice of schedule. You are considered the bench warmer of the laboratory team, and you are at the mercy of leadership to decide which shifts you will work. If you go into each assignment with an open mind, adapt quickly, and make a great impression, you will win the hearts of the leadership team.

Being a travel histologist can be a rewarding, fantastic, and adventurous experience – if you’re sufficiently prepared. However, for some, it can be a nightmare. I recommend using at least five travel agencies to secure an ideal travel assignment. Multiple agencies broaden your prospects, giving you options when deciding your choice of location. Negotiate each contract, ensuring you get the best compensation for your skill set. If you need help, take a course or read a book on negotiation. Good luck out there!

~Chiemela Nwaobasi