Wednesday, September 30, 2009

Keeping a Portfolio Approach to your Temporary Nursing Jobs

Working for a healthcare staffing agency could put you in any number of jobs throughout the years, and in any number of places. As you further your career in temporary nursing positions, remember to keep track of your professional portfolio. It might seem like a lot of work, but having a professional record of where you’ve worked, lived, who you’ve met, and what courses/workshops you’ve taken, can come in very handy.

Once you get in the portfolio mindset, you’ll realize that it’s really all about having a compilation of your professional life at your fingertips. Being able to sum up your career in a concise, articulate manner might come in handy when you’re on an interview for the job of your dreams. To keep track of your career, use these tips:

1) Whenever you start a new temporary nursing staff assignment, grab a shoe box and add to it throughout your assignment. This might include certificates from any training you take, letters from your employer, paystubs, etc.

2) At the end of your assignment, use whatever notes and documents you have to come up with a narrative about your experiences during this assignment. Nobody else has to read it. This is just to solidify your own strengths, weaknesses, and future goals. Having it on paper makes it more real.

3) Keep a binder or some other method of filing your narratives. Make sure to file away any receipts, pay stubs, etc., for income tax purposes.

The idea is to keep track of where you’re going, where you’ve been, and what you might like to accomplish in the future.

Find out more at http://www.clinicalone.com/!

Fun Things to do While Working for a Healthcare Staffing Agency

If you’re working for a healthcare staffing company, chances are you’re traveling to various job sites around the country. You might even be accepting international travel nursing positions. A healthcare staffing agency like Clinical One generally places people in short-term nursing assignments within the United States. While you’ll likely be working various shifts, there’s still going to be some downtime. Not sure what to do for recreation? The following fun ideas should get your creative juices flowing:

1) Look up the city’s leisure and recreation department to find out if they offer any GPS courses. It doesn’t take long to learn how to use a basic handheld GPS device and you can use it to play an internationally known game called geo-caching. The Internet is a valuable resource for more detailed information on what geo-caching is all about.

2) Refer friends to the healthcare staffing agency and consider taking travel assignments together. Agencies like Clinical One offer referral bonuses for every qualifying friend or family member!

3) Go shopping. Depending on where your temporary nursing job is located, there’s a good chance of finding off-the-beaten-track boutiques, spas, shoe stores, and clothing stores.

4) Visit the public library on your off days. Nobody ever thinks of the library, but it’s the perfect place to find serenity and hopefully a good book to rest your mind.

5) Sign up for a tour of the city. Most cities and towns offer historic, cultural or scenic tours for minimal cost.

6) Explore the great outdoors! Visit the local hike and bike trail, take up kayaking, go rock climbing, or what other adventures await you in the local area.

In order to get the most of your travel work experience, don’t be afraid to get out there and try new things. This is just a very short list of ideas to get you started on your adventure.

For more information on Travel Nursing assignments, please visit our website at http://www.clinicalone.com/.

Wednesday, September 23, 2009

What to Look for in a Healthcare Staffing Firm

Whether you manage a hospital, nursing home, correctional facility, school, or business you may suddenly find yourself in need of healthcare staffing services. When you’re used to hiring through the traditional means of placing an ad, screening applicants, conducting rigorous interviews, checking references, and conducting criminal record checks, the idea of handing over the reins to a healthcare staffing company might seem daunting. In order to confidently seek the resources of a healthcare staffing firm, it’s important to know what you’re looking for.

When looking to outsource for nurse staffing services, look for a healthcare staffing firm that meets the following standards:

1. Reports to a national certifying board. Look for recognizable validation, like an endorsement by the Joint Commission. The Joint Commission provides national quality assurance to healthcare staffing services, ensuring that a strict code of ethics is followed by both the healthcare staffing agency and the healthcare professionals employed.

2. What services does the company offer? A quality healthcare staffing agency will offer a wide variety of placements including travel, per diem, temporary, contract, and permanent.

3. How long has the company been in business? A brand new healthcare staffing firm could be just as reputable as a firm that’s been in business for twenty years; however, healthcare staffing agencies that have stood the test of time may be better able to handle unique staffing needs.

If you find yourself in need of a healthcare staffing service, take some time to research the company to make sure they provide a high quality of service, including nursing staff ready to provide top-notch patient care.

For more information on how Clinical One can help you with your staffing needs, visit our website at http://www.clinicalone.com/.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Clinical Social Worker Jobs

Clinical social worker jobs offer professionals the chance to really make a difference in the world. It’s one of those behind-the-scenes jobs that people don’t always understand. Social worker employment falls into the category of behavioral health careers which sometimes involves direct home care, crisis management, and situations involving people with disabilities.

The social worker profession is an important, valuable career with jobs found in a variety of settings. Schools, community service organizations, disability services, hospitals, and mental health clinics are a few places that offer clinical social worker jobs. The salary of a social worker typically falls in the range of $30,000 to $50,000 depending on years of experience, education, geographical location, and place of work. Securing higher paying social worker jobs is easier when you submit your resume to a placement agency like Clinical One. At Clinical One, the recruitment staff will network on your behalf, helping you find the perfect social work jobs to suit your experience and geographical preference.

It takes a special kind of person to handle clinical social worker jobs. Through placement agencies like Clinical One, you have the option of taking a multitude of social worker job placements, or honing in on a permanent placement.

Monday, September 14, 2009

Safety Tips while on a Travel Nursing Assignment

Traveling and moving to a new place is a stressful and exciting event for anyone. As a travel healthcare professional, you will experience this much more than the average person. While you may love your new surroundings, even the smallest towns can have its hazards. Here are a few common sense tips to help keep you and your belongings safe so you can enjoy your travel assignment to the fullest.


• Be aware of who is around you at all times. Pay close mind to anyone lurking if you are at an ATM or giving out personal information, especially your name and address.

• Research the area before you leave. Browse the local newspapers, most of which are posted online. Read the crime log, if there is one, and notice where most of the crimes happen.

• Get to know your new neighborhood. During the day, go for a walk and take note of any landmarks, main roads, street names and where the local police station is located. A pocket map can also be helpful.

• Always secure doors and windows in your new residence, especially at night or if you are out. Keeping your doors locked, even while home, is never a bad idea. When someone knocks on your door, always check to see who’s there.

• Travel on well-lit streets and park in well-lit areas near your destination.

• Know when the sun rises and sets in the area. This is especially true for professionals doing early morning and night shifts.

• You may be carrying around lots of personal information with you, especially in the beginning of your assignment. Make sure important documents like your licenses and housing information as well as any money and personal identification are secure, safe and, not visible.

• Become friendly with your new co-workers, including the permanent staff and even some of your neighbors. They are a valuable resource when it comes to knowing what areas or people to avoid. Plus, they make great “buddies” while walking to your car or jogging through the neighborhood.

• Always make sure your cell phone is charged and buy a car charger.

• Hospital security will always walk you to your car, but if you are walking alone, especially in a dark, disserted area like a parking lot, carry your cell and have 911 already dialed so all you will have to do is hit the send button if you are attacked.

• Invest in a good portable GPS system for your car or sign up for GPS service offered by most cell phone companies. This will keep you from getting lost in a place you do not know.

• Keep your car doors and windows locked, even while driving. Furthermore, never leave items such as your cell phone, GPS, Ipod or anything of any value including backpacks and purses exposed in your car. Take them with you or hide them under your seats or in the trunk even if it’s a quick trip into a convenience store. Never leave valuables in your car overnight, take everything in the house with you.

• While driving, never stop for anyone who needs help by the road. If you want to help someone, call the local police and let them take care of it. Never, ever pick up a hitchhiker.

• Renter’s insurance in affordable and very easy to obtain. This will protect your belongings in case of robbery, flood and fire.

• Take a self-defense class. Knowing what to do if you ever get into a sticky situation will save your life. It will also give you more confidence and in turn help you stand tall. If you look like a victim, you will become one.

• Trust your instincts. When you have a “gut feeling” something isn’t right, get out of there!

If you use common sense and intuition, traveling to new destinations can be one of the most rewarding, fun and educational experiences you will ever have.

Visit http://www.clinicalone.com/ for more useful information on travel nursing.

Wednesday, September 2, 2009

Behavioral Health / Social Worker Careers Tips

Clinical One - Your Code of Ethics Advocate

When searching for social worker employment, people are often more focused on getting the job first and worrying about atmosphere later. Like any other healthcare professional, people taking clinical social worker jobs are bound by a Code of Ethics, but what happens when the social worker is asked to do something that contradicts that Code? If the employee happens to be working through a healthcare recruitment agency like Clinical One, he or she can approach the Clinical One’s quality assurance team for advice and support.

It’s important to note that Clinical One works hard to place healthcare professionals in workplaces that are reputable and that meet the highest standards of clinical care. However, conflicts can arise and for the employee trying to fulfill work commitments (including social worker employment) it’s good to know they have someone to turn to for guidance. At Clinical One, the Director of Quality Assurance is routinely on call for employees and clients. Whether facing confidentiality issues, a personal conflict of interest, or some other activity that could violate a social worker’s Code of Ethics, Clinical One has someone who can advocate on your behalf.

Visit our website at www.clinicalone.com for more information on social worker employment opportunities with Clinical One.

Top 10 Reasons Traveling Nurses Choose to Earn Their Bachelor's Degree Online

Top 10 Reasons Traveling Nurses Choose to Earn Their Bachelor's Degree Online