How to Become a Medical Courier in the US

Become a Medical Courier

You don’t have to be a primary care practitioner to help save the lives of people in life-threatening conditions. In a noble way – and without advanced academic qualifications – you can save the lives of patients by becoming a medical courier. If you are a high school graduate who enjoys hitting the road, this logistics career could be your job.

What do medical couriers do?

The primary tasks of medical couriers include:

  • Preparing and packaging the items ready for transportation
  • Transporting testing supplies, body organs and laboratories specimens to specified clinical laboratories or healthcare facilities
  • Ensuring the safety of the goods while in transit
  • Ensuring recipients sign the delivery note upon the delivery of items
  • Maintaining compliance to bio-hazardous safety precautions.

Work environment

Medical couriers can work full-time or part-time. While full-time employees have regular 9am to 5pm, Monday through Friday schedules, part-time couriers are often asked to be on-call.

If you secure this job, expect to spend the vast majority of your work hours on the road. The job can also be physically challenging, because you may be required to lift heavy packages.

Salary

How much do medical couriers make in a year? Find out below:

Occupation

Annual wage

Medical Courier

$31,000

Source: Indeed

 

Entry requirements

You don’t need any post-secondary qualifications to qualify for employment. With a high school diploma or GED, you already have one foot in the profession.

However, many employers prefer couriers with vast driving experience. As such, you should obtain a driver’s license and find a driving job to gain this experience. You could begin by working as a taxi, bus or pierce driver. Be sure to maintain a clean driving record.

You should also have a good knowledge of the region’s road network. Employers want couriers who can trace a specific location without much hassle.

You may also be required to pass criminal and drug background tests.

Important qualities

What other competencies do you need to qualify for employment? You need:

  • Strong skills in reading maps or navigation systems
  • Super time management skills
  • The ability to concentrate for long periods of time
  • Good communication and interpersonal skills
  • A normal eyesight
  • Record keeping skills
  • An interest in helping people in difficult situations.

Career development

As a newly hired medical courier, focus on gaining significant work experience. In time, you can be promoted to a supervisory position. Here, you will be tasked with creating work schedule for other couriers.

Some organisations offer short-term courses that you can pursue to enhance your knowledge.

You can also become a member in the Association for Delivery Drivers to access additional professional development resources.

Job ppportunities

The employers of medical couriers include:

  • Pharmaceutical companies
  • Providers of medical logistics solutions
  • Laboratories
  • Blood and organ banks

With experience and sufficient start-up capital, you should be able to move into self-employment by establishing your own courier.

 

Since 2009, the medical courier industry has been experiencing a 1.5 percent annual growth. This growth has resulted in the creation of 30,368 jobs. Furthermore, the aging baby boomer generation requires more healthcare services, meaning many medical couriers will be needed.

So if you love travelling and want to help save lives, there are good opportunities for employment in this profession.

 

Image: Accuro Health Services