What is moonlighting?
Moonlighting means working a second job to earn extra money. It isn’t a term specific to any profession—anyone who works two jobs is moonlighting. People may choose to moonlight because they work full time and cannot cut their spending or because they are having difficulty paying off debt.
What is medical moonlighting?
Working a second job at a healthcare facility to earn extra money is called medical moonlighting. There are two types of medical moonlighting jobs available: internal and external. Internal means picking up extra shifts in your hospital. External means working extra shifts outside your home hospital—this typically means working a part time travel allied health professional job.
Why moonlight as a travel allied health provider?
Many younger allied health professionals who choose to moonlight do so to pay off their student debt. The American Physical Therapy Association’s survey of recent doctor of physical therapy (DPT) graduates found that they finished school with an average total debt balance of $142,000. Taking a higher paying travel job can help these clinicians pay off their debt faster, making it an attractive option for them.
New graduates who try out travel jobs can also benefit from gaining the valuable experience of talking to providers from different facilities and finding out what different types of practice environments are like. It can help to make you more flexible at jobs you take on in the future. Travel experience is great to be able to put on future resumes, as it demonstrates your adaptability.
Older healthcare professionals aged 50-59 are more likely to take on travel assignments than younger professionals, in part because moonlighting is a great way to build up retirement savings so you can retire earlier and with more money.
Travel healthcare is also a great way for older providers to deal with boredom and professional stagnation—travel jobs allow them to explore different states and practice environments, and meet new people. If your job is stable but no longer the fun challenge it used to be, moonlighting can help you rediscover your favorite parts of your field. Working with patients prevents your clinical skills from atrophying.
Can I moonlight as a new grad?
Many healthcare facilities prefer to hire more experienced allied health providers who won’t require as much on the job training. However, there are still moonlighting opportunities available to new grads.
Barton Healthcare Staffing hires both new grads and experienced providers to work as travel allied health professionals. While many hospitals require experience, and it’s much easier for experienced providers to find jobs, some clients allow new grads and working with a recruiter increases the chance that you can get moonlighting work.
Travel work varies from one weekend to full time. If you get in touch with a Barton recruiter, you can get help finding part time, short term assignments. You can always ask your recruiter to find you jobs as close to home as possible—or you can ask for weekend assignments further away and enjoy a quick vacation.
How can medical moonlighting as a travel allied health provider help me meet financial goals?
The main reason why providers medical moonlight is to earn more, so if you take a second job in allied health, it’s important to know you’re earning enough. Luckily, travel jobs typically pay more than permanent positions.
It’s a smart idea to determine how taking a travel job would help you meet your financial goals. Make a budget, and find out how working a second job as a travel allied health professional could help you cover your ordinary expenses, pay down student loans, and save for retirement.
Is burnout a common experience among those who do medical moonlighting?
Because medical moonlighting involves taking on a second job, allied health professionals who take this route can become burnt out quickly because of the amount of time they’re spending on the clock.
If you aren’t sure about your ability to work an additional part time job, you try out a short travel assignment and talk to anyone you know who moonlights as a locum tenens, travel nurse or travel allied health professional to get advice. After completing your first assignment, decide if you want to take another. Considering your financial goals, and your physical and mental health can help you decide.
If you enjoyed your first assignment, great—time to pick your next one! If not, talk to your recruiter about changing the hours you worked or the location. No matter what you pick, making time to unwind from work can help you avoid burnout. Check out wellness resources your hospital has available and focus on a hobby you care about.
What about non-compete clauses?
Some allied health providers may be unable to moonlight as a result of noncompete clauses. States such as California bar noncompete clauses, but healthcare providers may still be discouraged from seeking moonlighting work. You may be unable to moonlight or need your current employer’s permission to moonlight.
If you live in a state where non-compete clauses are legal and there is a non-compete clause in your contract, that may soon change. The Federal Trade Commission voted 3-2 in favor of banning non-compete clauses on April 23, 2024. However, a federal judge blocked the FTC’s ban on non-competes on July 3, and a district court is expected to make a ruling by the end of August. The FTC’s rule will take effect on September 4 if the court decides in favor of the FTC.
Find a Travel Job with Barton Healthcare Staffing
Allied health providers looking to moonlight can check out jobs available at Barton Healthcare Staffing, or they can get in touch with a recruiter.