Courier jobs are no longer simple labor jobs. This category is one of the fastest-growing fields and has evolved into an industry in its own right. As time moves, its demand and rates are also rocketing, especially after COVID. That’s why medical career jobs are ideal for those who want to be leaders and also enjoy working with others. You should know how to become a medical courier. And what are its requirements?
In this field, the medical delivery business is more demanding and specialized than standard courier jobs. Medical couriers offer better financial opportunities, but along with this, they also demand high responsibility and professionalism. In this blog, I am going to break down what is a medical courier, how to become a medical courier, and how much medical couriers make with Bearcat Express step by step.
What is a medical courier?
Medical couriers are logistics services that transport healthcare-related parcels, such as lab reports, lab equipment, legal documents, lab specimens, and donor organs, from one facility to another, including laboratories, hospitals, pharmacies, and health clinics. This definition highlights that it is a critical job, and every second matters in saving patients’ lives every day.
How much do medical couriers make?
We know that the pay rate for courier services has increased by 26% compared to last year. In the U.S., a medical courier can make $39,000-$51,000 annually (Glassdoor). And if we talk about hourly rates, it’s $12 to $20. Several factors contribute to the medical courier’s salary. For example, if you are more experienced, you can charge a higher rate. Similarly, your workload, employment type, and location decide your pay rate.
If you are working in an urban area or a location that is far away, you can earn more. Working with a company will give you a fixed pay, but if you work independently, you can negotiate with facilities and earn more.
How to become a medical courier
Here are five steps you should know and execute before becoming a medical courier.
Analyze the market
Before entering this field, it is essential to understand its pros and cons. First, analyze your service areas. Identify your competitors and their weaknesses, as well as areas where you can gain an advantage. However, before that, check if your business faces high or low competition. If your area has a high number of pharmacies and hospitals, you can easily grow your business.
When you start your business, you will surely have competitors. So know their strategy and walk a step ahead of them. If they charge high, you may consider charging a little less to attract customers. Provide premium services to customers, such as working after business hours and offering last-minute delivery. Get ready with your medical courier business plan to jump into this highly demanding field.
Medical courier requirements
Medical supply delivery jobs don’t require a higher educational background. It requires only a few basic requirements that most U.S. citizens have. They are:
Age
- A medical courier driver must be at least 21 years old for this role.
Education
- A GED or high school diploma is typically sufficient to secure this job.
Licence
- A driving licence with a transparent background is essential for this job.
- Some cars may require commercial licence.
Vehicle
- Your vehicle should be insured, inspected, and registered.
- Its age should be less than 10 years.
- It should have a temperature-controlled cabinet.
- It can be an SUV, a van, or a car.
- It should have sufficient storage capacity to deliver the medical parcels without damage.
Route planning
- You should be familiar with all the routes in the city where you are working.
- You should be fast enough to deliver last-minute deliveries
- Knowing how to handle multiple deliveries simultaneously is a valuable and important skill.
Tech skills
- You should know how to use phone apps, especially GPS tracking.
Communication
- In medical courier training, it is essential to be polite and respectful with your clients.
- You should be in touch with them while you are on the way.
Medical Courier Certification
You do require a medical training certificate.
- If you plan to transport hazardous chemicals and materials, you must obtain a DOT Hazardous Material Certificate.
- For handling sensitive medical data, obtain a HIPAA Certification.
- Get OSHA-compliant bloodborne pathogens training
- To obtain a medical courier certificate, you must hold either a CMA or CMT.
Purchase medical courier equipment
You can’t start this business just with a car. There are certain pieces of equipment you must have for this role to transport medical equipment, such as reports, lab specimens, and organs, safely and promptly.
- You must have a smartphone or a tablet with GPS.
- Keep essential gear in your vehicle, including masks, protective gowns, tamper-evident seals, and gloves.
- The cabinet must be insulated.
- Packaging materials, such as boxes, tape, and paper.
- To identify the packet, keep labeling equipment with you.
Finance the software
If you plan to work with a courier company, they will provide you with courier delivery management software. But if you decide to work solo, then you will need this device. It will plan and optimize routes for you, keep a record of proof of delivery, and make communication with customers easier and smoother.
Find a job or do a solo business.
The final step is to execute the services. It depends on you whether you want to pursue employment or start your own business. If you want to start with employment, then reach out to medical supply delivery jobs like Bearcat Express. Or go to job boards like LinkedIn, Indeed, and others, apply for jobs, wait for responses, and prepare for job interviews.
Medical couriers are independent contractors because leaders cannot work for others. Invest some money into your business and comply with the legal requirements. You should establish yourself as a medical courier company. Make sure you are dealing with the right customer. Make a business plan and get ahead. Develop one driver at a time.
READ MORE: Why medical courier/ STAT delivery is important?
Conclusion
The demand for medical couriers increases every day, making it a great time to become one. Becoming a medical courier is a relatively straightforward process, typically taking from a few weeks to several months. It depends upon you. Bearcat Express has well-trained medical couriers who perform their duties with precision and on time. Contact Bearcat Express, one of the best medical courier companies for these services, offering competitive rates.
FAQs
Q: How to get medical courier contracts?
A: Make your company’s website on Google and start blogging. This is one of the best ways to attract clients. And if you want to contact them, social media is the best option, like Instagram, Facebook, and Google Maps. Get their information and contact them.
Q: How to start a medical courier service in Georgia?
A: To start a medical courier service, you need a vehicle, some legal certificates, delivery software, some equipment like gloves and masks, tech skills, route planning, and soft communication skills. Then, if you are in Georgia, find the perfect client via hospitals, pharmacies, or health centers.
Q: How to find potential clients for medical courier services?
A: You have to do cold-calling in your service areas—calls to hospitals, pharmacies, health facilities, and clinics.
