How to Become a Medical Courier

November 22, 2022

If you’ve landed here, you’re probably wondering what it takes to become a Medical Courier. Reliable couriers have trained hundreds of successful medical couriers and have years of experience in the industry. Here, we will walk you through how to become a medical courier.

In the last year alone, the field of medical couriers has expanded by over 26%. It’s no surprise that this is happening and continues to happen. Medical couriers are one of the fastest growing jobs in the world, providing the flexibility and freedom of self-employment, or providing a wide array of companies to work for.

Before becoming a medical courier, there are a few things many companies will require of you on your application. Some of those things may include;

  • A valid driver’s license with a clean driving record
  • Must be over the age of 21
  • Familiarity with the city you will be working in
  • A registered/inspected vehicle under 10 years old
  • Knowledge of HIPAA and OSHA rules and regulations
  • Passing a pre-employment screening/ Identity verification/ background check

Some other skills a company may be looking for when hiring a medical courier are:

  • Ability to stay organized and efficient
  • Basic customer service skills
  • Flexibility driving in new environments

Is it worth meeting these requirements and having all these skills?

According to Glassdoor, medical couriers are primarily paid per delivery, but depending on the number of deliveries, they earn anywhere between $30,000-$45,000 a year. Of course, the amount you make depends on the number of deliveries you make and the distance you travel. Reliable couriers are now hiring medical couriers across the country.

Benefits of being a medical courier:

  • Ability to choose hours
  • Work independently
  • Choose the clients you work for
  • Career Fulfillment- helping others in need

What Is A Medical Courier?

Medical couriers are mostly independent contractors. Being independent contractors, they can manage their own schedules and keep a good work-life balance. While working, medical couriers can expect to deliver many things, including; Medications and prescriptions, medical supplies, lab specimens, test results, medical documents, and more. This requires excellent focus and knowledge in the medical industry and familiarity with their local and surrounding hospitals, labs, and medical facilities. In addition, many of these items are confidential medical records and will require a medical courier to deliver them to their destination in a timely manner.

How Can I Become A Certified Medical Courier?

To become a certified medical courier, you will need to be trained and hired by a reputable courier company. Once you have completed your training with the company, you must pass any required examinations. Once you are certified with the courier company, you can make medical deliveries. Many clients with Reliable Couriers may require our drivers to be HIPAA, OSHA, and Bloodborne Pathogen certified. We will be able to provide you with all of the training you need to obtain these certifications.

What will I be asked at a Medical Courier interview?

  • How would you handle a situation where a package was damaged?
    While this is a rare instance, it is important that you are capable of handling the situation calmly and professionally, as this reflects the performance of your courier company.
  • Are you capable of carrying and lifting up to 50 lbs?
    This is a common question for many positions requiring these physical demands and capabilities.
  • If you were late for delivery due to traffic, how would you handle this situation?
    This common dilemma can occur for any courier and is a perfect opportunity to differentiate yourself from other potential candidates.
  • If a pick-up is not ready, what would you do?
    Just as being late can hinder a company’s performance, it is always important to have a plan in place in case a roadblock like this should happen.

How to apply for a medical courier job

Applying for a medical courier job requires time and research into local medical courier companies. Many medical courier jobs will allow online applications and require you to submit forms and documents online before even having an interview. Here are some steps to take when applying for your medical courier job:

  1. Research the medical courier company.
    Review how others who have held the medical courier job at the company feel about their position. Does the medical courier job have pay and benefits that meet your criteria? What does the company provide as equipment to its medical couriers? What areas does the company service?
  2. Apply for the medical courier job
    Gather any forms and paperwork you may need, including your resume, certifications like HIPAA or OSHA, your ID, references, vehicle information if utilizing your own, and anything else their application may have requested of you. Some companies may require you to apply in person, through the mail, or apply online for the medical courier job.
  3. Follow up
    Once you have submitted your application for the medical courier job, it is important to follow up right away to ensure your application was received. You should also follow up the week after with the company to find out the next steps in the application process and if there is anything else you must do at that point in time.
  4. Interview
    Although you may have submitted your medical courier job application with all your documents before the interview, bringing your own physical copies to the interview to reference can be helpful to you and the interviewer throughout the process.
  5. Onboarding
    Once hired into your medical courier job, it is important to maintain professionalism and medical certifications while serving as a medical courier in your city.