As a Trusted Health allied health professional, it's crucial for you to understand your allied health contractor agreement thoroughly. We aim for you to feel confident in navigating this agreement and making informed choices regarding your professional journey. Your contract serves to safeguard your interests, delineate your responsibilities, guarantee equitable remuneration, and cover various other aspects essential to your role.
No need to be daunted by the term "contract." Though there are details to understand, none are overly complex. In the following guide, we'll explain all the important points of this document, emphasizing its significance for a successful allied health career!
What is an Allied Health Contract?
An allied health contract, also referred to as an allied health contractor agreement, is a legally binding document involving you, a healthcare facility, and your agency. It outlines the terms and conditions of your employment relationship with the facility.
It's essential for you, as an allied professional, to fully comprehend and agree to the terms of the contract before signing. Failure to understand or agree to the terms can result in avoidable confusion, disappointment, and complications later on. If you find the terms unsatisfactory, it's crucial to negotiate before signing, as your options for altering the contract post-signature are significantly limited.
Throughout the contract process, the Trusted Health Care Team will support you every step of the way. Your agency serves as more than just a middleman between you and the facility; they act as your advocate and provide valuable resources. Here's an overview of how this process unfolds:
- Find a travel job you love! Apply and interview.
- If the facility wants to hire you, your Trusted Health Advocate will pass along their offer!
- If you're satisfied with the offer, we'll provide you with an official contract that outlines all the assignment details. If everything meets your expectations, you can proceed to sign the contract to formalize the agreement!
- Should you wish to make any adjustments, your Advocate can assist you in identifying areas where negotiation may be possible before signing. Your Advocate is here to support you throughout this process, aiming to achieve terms that satisfy both you and the facility.
- The facility can then either approve or deny any requested changes.
- Once both parties agree on and sign the contract, you'll collaborate with your Operations Coordinator to ensure a smooth transition and prepare for your upcoming assignment start date. It's time to prepare for your next adventure!
What's Included In an Allied Health Contract?
Several essential elements must be incorporated into a travel allied contract, whether you're utilizing Trusted Health or another agency. Here's a breakdown of what every travel allied contract should entail:
- Assignment Details: This section should include the facility's name, location, contact information, and the specific hospital unit where you'll be stationed.
- Schedule & Duration: Specify the contract's start and end dates, along with details regarding shifts (day, night, or rotating), weekly working hours (36, 40, or 48), and any call responsibilities.
- Compensation: Outline the hourly wage, stipends, additional rate types (such as overtime, on-call, holiday rates, etc.), and any other benefits included in the pay package.
- Shift Cancellation Policy: Clarify the facility's policy regarding shift cancellations due to low census. Determine whether you'll receive guaranteed hours or if there's a limit to unpaid cancellations.
- Special Requests: Any approved requests for specific dates or extended time off should be documented and authorized in the contract.
While there may be other aspects you're curious about, such as cancellation and termination clauses or floating requirements, these details are covered in Trusted Health's Employee Handbook. This handbook serves as a valuable resource for additional information applicable to all contracts with Trusted Health.
Furthermore, even after your contract commences and you begin working, your Trusted advocate remains available as a reliable resource. They'll assist you with any inquiries and provide ongoing support throughout your new role!
How Long are Allied Health Contracts?
Allied Health agreements usually begin at 13 weeks but can vary from 2 to 26 weeks, depending on the facility's requirements. Two-week contracts are often for short-term needs like strikes, while contracts lasting 26 weeks or longer are provided for sustained staffing needs.
Facilities typically refrain from offering contracts longer than 26 weeks initially due to the unpredictability of healthcare staffing. It's challenging to accurately forecast staffing needs beyond six months in advance, given the dynamic nature of healthcare.
Contract Extensions
An allied health contract extension, or renewal, might be considered midway or toward the end of your contract, particularly if both the facility and the traveler express interest in continuing. If you're keen on an extension, it's advisable to communicate your desire to both your Advocate and your facility manager.
Facilities typically decide on extensions closer to the contract's conclusion, as it depends on their ability to forecast future staffing needs. However, it's never too early to express interest if an extension appeals to you. In cases where both the traveler and facility are satisfied with their working arrangement, it's not uncommon for extensions to occur multiple times, potentially lasting up to a year or allowing for return assignments after a break.
While adjustments to terms like pay and shifts can be discussed during an extension, changes aren't guaranteed with each contract renewal.
Contract extensions highlight the flexibility available to travel nurses, showcasing just one aspect of the varied opportunities in this field. Additionally, there are different types of travel contracts, each with its own advantages. Let's delve into these options in the following section.
Are There Different Types of Allied Health Contracts?
In addition to a standard 13-week contract, there are three main types of allied health contracts. These are local, short-term, and strike allied contracts. Here’s a little more about each.
Local Travel Contracts
Local travel contracts are suitable for individuals who lack a tax home or are ineligible for tax-free housing and living stipends, often because they reside in or have been in a particular location for over a year. Reasons for this may include anticipating a loan or social security based on taxable income. Tax matters can be complex, so consulting with an accountant or utilizing resources like the IRS website can be beneficial. If you find yourself in such situations, inform your advocate.
Short-Term Travel Contracts
Short-term travel contracts typically span from four to eight weeks and encompass both taxable and non-taxable pay. They often offer higher compensation than standard 13-week contracts and are designed to address brief but urgent staffing needs in healthcare facilities.
Strike Contracts
Strike contracts are a form of short-term agreement utilized by facilities to employ temporary staff during healthcare worker strikes. These contracts are typically brief, high-paying, and characterized by unpredictability, serving to ensure the continuity of patient care during labor disputes.
Typically, allied professionals can remain in one location and receive non-taxable benefits for up to a year. However, there's no obligation to extend a contract beyond your preference. After one year, while travelers can continue working, they become ineligible for tax-free housing and living stipends. They may need to transition from a travel contract to a local one to better accommodate their tax situation.
What Happens When My Allied Health Contract is Complete?
How you choose to utilize your downtime between contracts is entirely at your discretion! Embrace the flexibility offered by travel healthcare by opting for an extended break or swiftly transitioning into your next assignment if you're eager to do so.
Following the conclusion of an allied health contract, there's no requirement to immediately commence another. If you're inclined to jump back into work soon after completing your current contract, many allied professionals start exploring new opportunities around the midpoint of their ongoing assignment. Since finding the right career fit and arranging logistics can take time, it's advisable not to delay your search until the eleventh hour.
Be sure to download Trusted’s mobile app so that you can begin your next search easily!
Can I Cancel an Allied Health Contract?
Yes, cancellation of an allied health contract is possible, and it can be initiated by either the healthcare facility or the allied health professional. This can occur at any point and for various reasons, such as staffing changes at the facility or dissatisfaction on either side.
Here are some key considerations regarding contract cancellation:
- While Trusted Health doesn't impose penalties on allied practitioners who cancel contracts, some agencies may charge a cancellation fee, which would be outlined in the contract terms.Therefore, it's crucial to fully comprehend the contract terms.
- Trusted Health prioritizes professionalism, even in the event of cancellation. Both allied professional-initiated and facility-initiated cancellations and terminations are internally tracked. While support is offered to providers, repeated cancellations or significant termination reasons may lead to discontinuing collaboration with an allied provider.
- Canceling a contract can have repercussions, potentially affecting future employability, as organizations like travel agencies, healthcare facilities, and healthcare systems may place individuals on a "Do Not Rehire" list.
- Contract amendments, often initiated by healthcare facilities, may impact pay, housing, or living stipends. Failure to agree on amendments could result in contract cancellation.
While cancellation should be avoided unless absolutely necessary, Trusted Health understands that unforeseen circumstances arise. Communication is key in such situations, and allied professionals are encouraged to reach out to their Advocate for support or assistance.
In summary, while cancellation is an option, it's important to understand the implications and communicate effectively to navigate such situations professionally.
Tips to Avoid Cancellation as a Travel Allied Professional
Cancellation of contracts can often occur due to factors beyond a practitioner's control, such as fluctuations in unit census and staffing changes. While understandably frustrating, there are strategies to minimize the risk of cancellation when budgets are tight and contracts are being reduced:
- Punctuality: Timeliness is key. Consistently showing up for shifts on time and prepared reflects positively on you and can bolster your reliability.
- Attendance: Being reliable enhances your reputation. Managers are more likely to retain dependable professionals, increasing your chances of being retained over other travelers.
- Professionalism: Demonstrating diligence, helpfulness, and teamwork distinguishes you. Managers prioritize retaining nurses who seamlessly integrate into the team.
Understanding the importance of contracts and how they safeguard your interests, define your role and responsibilities, and ensure fair compensation is crucial. It's essential to thoroughly review your contract, comprehend its implications, and address any queries before signing.
Empowering yourself with knowledge about your allied health contract enables you to make informed decisions about your career path. Should you require further clarification or support, your allied health advocate at Trusted is readily available to assist you.
Additional Resources
Trusted Health On-Assignment & Contract Support
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