Laboratory Professionals Member Community

Any advice regarding training travelers efficiently while still assuring competency? We are in a constant loop of training travelers. We are thankful to have them and enjoy sharing knowledge with them, but it seems half of their assignment is spent on training. If we shorten the training time to two days in each department, then we risk lack of competency. Many times we adjust the training based on their prior analyzer experience only to discover that many travelers can run analyzers, but have not performed maintenance or calibrations. This takes a lot more training time than anticipated. We are also concerned as a number of travelers out there haven’t performed antibody investigations in blood bank in forever!
Would you eliminate some tasks and keep someone on call to assist (not that we have the extra staff). Should we only train in two departments- although we are all generalists and need independent generalists for the night shift?

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

We have found that training in two departments works better. It usually takes 3-4 weeks to do that. As for third shift where we only have one tech and a CLA, we had to take the extra time to train in all areas. Not ideal but it's what we had to do. 

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Suzanne Thompson Administrative Laboratory Manager
Reidsville NC
(336)342-3993
SuzanneAdministrative Laboratory ManagerSuzanne
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If staffing is critical and you need to bring in a travel tech to support the lab then I would identify a few activities for focused training to get the individual competent and confident.  Their skill set differs and their resumes are often inflated.  We trained a traveler on two instruments but did not train them on some of the more complex manual testing.  It allowed the full time staff to focus on the complex testing and the traveler to support the team.  The contract length also determines where to focus the training for the biggest return.

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Walter Oliveira MASCP, MLS(ASCP)CM SI
Laboratory Manager
UVA HealthSystem
Charlottesville, VA
(434) 465-0961
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In our facility not one person was ever alone. We only trained travelers in core lab, and avoided micro and blood bank. 

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Diana Muzquiz Administrative Laboratory Director/Manager
Fort Worth TX
(940)442-9275
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From another traveler's point of view, I would say be VERY clear on what you need from a traveler. I've been places where once I start working the job requirements change completely which is frustrating (i.e. signing up for chemistry but being put in blood bank or working the urine bench in micro but only doing set). In the interview ask specific questions about past work experiences and how long ago that was with regards to what your lab needs. I don't know how much of my resume is sent over from the agency or if you get the reference along with it too. Open and honest communication is key from both sides. If there is something I'm not comfortable with I make sure it's known at the beginning.

For training, you can have the traveler trained on a more fully staffed shift for the majority of task then switch them to the actual shift for fine tuning. Ask the traveler what the best way is they learn. I like observing first and then trying hands on because of that I wouldn't want to be trained by someone who doesn't let me try with supervision before going independent. 

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Alex White (MLS)
Plymouth NC
(252)217-5532
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I spent 5 years as a Traveler and was quite good at it.  I worked in California, Idaho, Oregon, Idaho and Minnesota.  I do have some advice.  Not knowing the size of your facility (200, 100 beds...), I would say that you should hire someone who has:

1) Extensive experience as a Generalist.

2) Worked mostly PM or Nightshift

3) At least 5 years of experience

4) Worked on multiple LIS systems

You are looking for someone who has worked in a hospital PM or night shift, normally 100-300 beds.  This will help ensure that they are current in Blood Bank and normally have skills for troubleshooting and handling problems and pressure from the ER and floors.

I can tell you from my own experience and association with other travelers that a good one does not take long to train, (1 to 2 Weeks).  If you are training more than two weeks, not good.  Techs from very small hospitals will not workout.  Also, you should ask the travel agency for the reviews from the traveler's previous jobs.  You can usually tell the first week if they are going to be able to help you, if not don't try to save them cut them loose.  If you get a good one, try to get them to extend.  Try to get the Travel agency to offer them a bonus.  Remember, the agency does not make any money if the Traveler leaves and no one to replace them.

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Paul Howie Retired
Statesville NC
(828)736-1330
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