Travel microbiology technologist career guide

A career as a travel microbiology lab technologist is an exciting field if you love science, problem solving, and working as a critical part of a team. As a diverse field with lots of growth paths, there are many opportunities for travel microbiology lab technologists to specialize and advance their careers. For example, you can choose to focus on immunology, or bacteriology; the skills you learn are also applicable to many different lab settings.

Nomad Health is excited to help allied health professionals find travel microbiology technologist jobs where they can achieve personal and professional success through travel. We hope this guide on travel microbiology technologists makes the journey a little easier.

What does a traveling microbiology technologist do?

A travel microbiology technologist works in a lab setting and performs tests to better diagnose, treat, and prevent disease. Areas of expertise include bacteriology, molecular microbiology, mycology, mycobacteriology, parasitology, and virology. Some on-the-job responsibilities may include specimen evaluation and processing, examining specimens with a microscope, and culture evaluation.

How much does a travel microbiology technologist earn?

A microbiology lab technologist at Nomad Health makes a total weekly compensation of $1,994 including a travel stipend.* A lot of things can impact a clinician’s take-home pay, including experience, certifications, and location.

*Based on Nomad Health job data September 26, 2023.

How do you become a travel microbiologist technologist?

The minimum requirement to become a travel microbiology technologist is an associate’s degree in biology, or a similarly related field, but many positions require at least a bachelor’s degree. After graduating and gaining experience as a working clinical microbiology technologist, clinicians have the option to obtain the ASCP(M) through the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (ASCP).

How long does it take to become a traveler as a microbiology technologist?

It takes at least four years to become a certified travel microbiology technologist due to education requirements, but the timing is different for everyone. There are a few different certification options for microbiology technologists, and some take more time than others.

Are travel microbiology technologists in high-demand?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, clinician laboratory technologist and technician jobs are projected to grow 5%, which is faster than the national average. Microbiology technologists can work in a variety of settings, including hospitals, diagnostic labs, and doctor’s offices, making the discipline widely applicable to a number of fields.

What certifications do I need to be a travel microbiology technologist?

The required certifications to travel as a microbiology technologist can vary based on state and facility preferences. With Nomad, most travel microbiology technologists will likely need to have one the following:

ASCP(M)

Travel microbiology technologists can receive the ASCP(M) certification through the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification. In order to qualify for the certification exam, applicants must meet one of the following eligibility requirements:

• Have a valid MLS (ASCP) certification and a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university
• Have a baccalaureate degree in biology or chemistry from an accredited college or university, or a baccalaureate degree from an accredited school or university with a combination of 30 semester hours (45 quarter hours) in biology and chemistry, and at least one full year of full time clinical experience in microbiology within the last five years
• Have a baccalaureate degree in biology or chemistry from an accredited college or university, or a baccalaureate degree from an accredited school or university with a combination of 30 semester hours (45 quarter hours) in biology and chemistry, and have successfully completed a microbiology program under the guidance of a NAACLS-accredited Medical Laboratory Scientist Program within the last five years
• Have a master’s degree in microbiology (or other related field) from an accredited college or university, and six months for full time clinical experience in microbiology within the last five years
• Have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university in medical laboratory science or a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university with a combination of 30 semester hours (45 quarter hours) in biology or chemistry, and have successfully completed a NAACLS-accredited program as a Medical Laboratory Scientist within the last five years

In addition, applicants must have experience in the last five years with three of the following six areas of expertise:

• Bacteriology
• Molecular microbiology
• Mycology
• Mycobacteriology
• Parasitology
• Virology

Clinical Lab Scientist/Medical Lab Scientist (CLS/MLS)

Instead of the ASCP(M), some travel jobs may allow microbiology technologists with a CLS, or clinical lab scientist, certification to work if they have the appropriate training and experience in a microbiology lab setting. Be sure to check with the facility and state where you intend to work to ensure you meet the requirements.

Basic life support (BLS)

Travel microbiology technologists will need their basic life support (BLS) certification to work in most facilities.

Travel microbiology lab technologist sources

1. American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP). (n.d.). Home. Retrieved from https://www.ascp.org/content#
2. American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP). (n.d.). Get Credentialed. Retrieved from https://www.ascp.org/content/board-of-certification/get-credentialed#micro
3. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (n.d.). Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians. Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/clinical-laboratory-technologists-and-technicians.htm