Medical contracting involves a lot of change, travel, and first days on the job. While for some, this can be an anxiety-inducing phenomenon, for others it’s an exciting way to experience more of the world. From the onboarding, to new coworkers, to new tech systems, there’s a lot to learn at each new assignment and a lot that’s out of your control. But there’s one thing that you can control—and that’s how you walk in the door on that first day. The first impression you make on your new colleagues matters and can come to define how they will view you for the duration of your assignment.
Here are our top tips for making a good first impression when starting an assignment:
Arrive On Time
It goes without saying that for any first day, at any job, you should arrive on time to avoid a bad first impression. But if you’re serving as a medical contractor in a new and unfamiliar place, it WILL take you longer to get places. Don’t rely on your GPS time estimate. Instead, make sure you have your route planned out in advance, transportation lined up, and leave early with lots of lead time. That way, you will arrive at your new position on time and stress-free.
Take A Tour
If a tour of the facility you’ll be working in isn’t offered—it usually is—make sure that you ask for one. On the tour, stay engaged, take notes, and even sketch a map if it’s helpful to you. In particular, take note of where things like food, scrubs, and the lounge are located. This shows that you’re engaged and ready to operate as efficiently as possible in your new surroundings, especially if you initiate the tour.
Make Introductions
Some folks feel that because they’re working a contract position that it’s not worth introducing themselves to everyone they meet, especially if it’s a short contract. But this couldn’t be further from the truth! Your fellow nurses and techs will be your greatest resource during the duration of your position, and you’ll likely need to seek one or the other of them out when you can’t find something that you need. It pays to be friendly, as well as it sends the impression that you care about your new coworkers as people, not just as other faces in the office.
Offer To Help
One of the crucial elements of medical contracting is knowing that you have to take the initiative at many points. The team you’ve stepped into isn’t used to having you around, so let them know you’re there and ready to roll! Offer to help whenever you can—but remember that you’re there to help that team out, not take over. Listen when appropriate, and take cues from the other staff members, but don’t let them forget that you’re there and eager to help.
If you’re ready to take on your next medical contracting position, get in touch with our staffing professionals here at Just In Time Staffing.