Per Diem Jobs

If you’ve ever wondered what the meaning of a ‘per diem job’ is, you’re not alone. “Per diem” is Latin for “per day” or “for each day,” and a per diem job is exactly what it sounds like. These jobs are perfect for individuals looking for maximum flexibility, additional professional experience in different career fields, or those simply looking for a temporary stream of income.

Per diem jobs are offered in a variety of different industries, including healthcare, construction, and education. These jobs are typically surfaced based on the needs of the organization.

As a per diem employee, you are never guaranteed hours, unlike full-time and part-time employees. However, depending on the company and the workload, you may work just as much as a full-time employee.

Typically per diem jobs are used by organizations to cover for vacations, sick days, medical leave, or any other reason a facility might be short-staffed. Individuals who work a per diem job are usually paid on a daily basis. They will typically negotiate rates and job responsibilities with the employers prior to the job assignment.

Finding Per Diem Work

There are a variety of ways to find per diem employment. These jobs are most commonly found in the medical field. However, they can be available in different industries as well. Someone who may be interested in a per diem job should consider looking at online job boards.

You can also consider reaching out to the local hiring office or a hospital, medical office building, warehouse, or office to see if there is a need.

These short-term positions can include positions like nursing, hospice care, pediatrics, midwifery, phlebotomy, operating (OR) assistants, pharmacists, admission coordinators, recreation and event coordinators, designers, and assistants.

As you can see, these opportunities can vary widely and require a variety of skill sets. Below, we discuss some of these jobs in more detail.

Per Diem Jobs

1. Per Diem Fingerprinting Technician
   Average Yearly Salary: $35,637

   If you have experience with fingerprinting, considering a per diem job as a fingerprinting technician can fill a need many organizations have. These individuals are typically responsible for assisting the human resources or recruiting team by accurately and efficiently processing fingerprint candidates.

   Some duties might include checking identifications, processing payment, processing fingerprints, managing a high-volume and fast-paced schedule, and making independent decisions on the quality of fingerprints, scheduling, and payment tasks.

   Individuals may also be asked to assist the team with reference and background checking, light data entry, and other application responsibilities.

   Find Fingerprinting Technician jobs near me

2. Per Diem Pharmacist
   Average Yearly Salary: $119,000

   If you are a licensed pharmacist, you may want to consider per diem pharmacist roles. These roles typically require some experience as a pharmacist in a retail or specialty pharmacy role and valid licensure and certification for your local, state, and federal laws.

   Typically those working as a per diem pharmacist will verify prescription medications, including unit dose and compounding. They may also be required to consult with patients, physicians, and other healthcare professionals, depending on the pharmacy’s needs.

   Oftentimes these roles are hired in a time of high volume, so you should also be prepared to work long hours with a high volume of customers to serve.

   Find Pharmacist jobs near me

3. Per Diem Registered Nurse
   Average Yearly Salary: $63,000

   Nurses who work per diem are typically those who earn higher hourly rates than their full-time counterparts. Every hospital approaches this differently, so you will be paid depending on the hospital you serve.

   Nurses working through agencies may also receive different pay depending on location, any specialties they possess, and the specific shifts they’re working. This is often a great way to pick up some extra cash as a nurse.

   Nurses who take on a per diem role will have the typical nurse requirements, but since they may be called in for a specific need, they may need to cater their skills towards specific patients or diseases.

   For example, during the COVID-19 pandemic, per diem nurses were in high need due to the overpopulation of hospitals. Therefore, per diem nurses were asked to cater to those patients on ventilators.

   Find Registered Nurse jobs near me

4. Per Diem Hospice Care
   Average Yearly Salary: $29,000

   Depending on the volume of patients, many organizations may need to hire per diem hospice care nurses. Typically this job requires nurses to have experience with direct hospice care as their primary duties will be to plan, organize, and direct hospice for clients.

   For this type of role, you’ll need to be in good physical shape as you’ll likely be required to withstand considerable stationary positions. You may be required to push, pull, or position heavy items, transport, position, balance, remove and help patients with their supplies and medical equipment.

   On the medical side, you’ll need to be able to work for your clients, including stooping, reaching, bending, kneeling, or crouching for considerable amounts of time.

   One of the most important things in this field is to have impeccable communication skills, especially for clients and their families. Of course, you’ll also need to have all of your nursing skills and knowledge at the ready.

   Find Hospice Care jobs near me

5. Per Diem Operating Room Nurse
   Average Yearly Salary: $85,000

   For nurses with operating room experience, considering a per diem operating room nurse role could be a great opportunity. This role can be taken on at a variety of facilities, including both private practices and hospitals.

   The needs will vary widely by job, but you should absolutely have strong clinical skills with experience in post-surgical, operating room, and general healthcare.

   Operating room nurses must be reliable for their surgeons. Be sure you have high energy, great interpersonal and multi-tasking skills, and can work independently and make decisions without question. Operating rooms operate at all hours of the day and night, so remember that taking a per diem job can put you on the job at odd hours.

   Find Operating Room Nurse jobs near me

6. Help Center Agent Per Diem
   Average Yearly Salary: $26,000

   If you have experience in a customer service environment, you can consider looking at help center agent jobs on a per diem basis. These individuals will typically assist in the day-to-day operations of a company’s customer service department to enhance customer service experience, engagement, and satisfaction.

   Depending on the company hiring, you may be required to learn certain operating procedures and product lines. However, ultimately the job will be about the client. You’ll want to make sure you have exceptional communication skills, can learn quickly, and operate independently.

   Find Help Center Agent jobs near me

7. Per Diem Care Manager
   Average Yearly Salary: $61,000

   Care managers are responsible for giving advice and providing information about the variety of options that are available for patient care and services.

   Care managers are experts in the services they provide, and they’re also able to provide clients with the quality and costs of different providers. They may also coordinate medical treatment, including assessments, and create individualized care plans for patients.

   The most common tasks for this role are coordinating and facilitating discharge needs for clients, coordinating documents and inputting data into the company system, advocating for post-acute services, obtaining any necessary authorizations for medications, collaborating directly with physicians, and more.

   Find Care Manager jobs near me

8. Benefits Counselor Per Diem
   Average Yearly Salary: $37,644

   A benefits counselor manages all employee benefits within an organization. Benefits counselors design and administer a program that ensures both company and employee needs are met and work with the organization to implement the said program. These individuals are also responsible for educating and assisting employees in enrolling in benefits activities.

   These individuals should have excellent communication skills and actively participate in the company activities to learn more about the day-to-day operations of the business. They need to be personable and trustworthy so that employees can really buy what they’re selling.

   Find Benefits Counselor jobs near me

9. Per Diem Patient Access Representative
   Average Yearly Salary: $30,000

   A patient access representative is the first point of contact that a patient has in a hospital facility. This is an essential role in the hospital and doesn’t require a tone of experience.

   Duties typically include checking patients in and out, gathering essential information for doctors and nurses to use, and communicating any important information to patient families or caregivers and processing billing information.

   Find Patient Access Representative jobs near me

10. Per Diem Registered Dietitian
    Average Yearly Salary: $51,000

    Per diem registered dieticians are individuals who provide quality medical nutrition therapy to their patients. They also promote nutrition information to co-workers, staff, and the local community. These individuals may also work to develop medical nutrition therapies and implement individual diet plans for patients.

    For this type of role, you’ll likely need a Bachelor’s degree in Food and Nutrition or a related field, a current state license if your state requires it, and registration by the Commission on Dietetic Registration. Depending on their needs, you may also need to bring some experience with you as well.

    Find Registered Dietitian jobs near me

11. Per Diem Medical Screener
    Average Yearly Salary: N/A

    A medical screener evaluates patients when they enter a healthcare facility. They may ask basic health questions to get patient information and document things for hospital staff. In this role, the experience can be limited as well as education.

    You’ll want to make sure you have strong attention to detail and great communication skills so that you can work effortlessly with patients. Additionally, a basic understanding of medical terminology and medical conditions can be very beneficial in this field.

Author

Caitlin Mazur

Caitlin Mazur is a freelance writer at Zippia. Caitlin is passionate about helping Zippia’s readers land the jobs of their dreams by offering content that discusses job-seeking advice based on experience and extensive research. Caitlin holds a degree in English from Saint Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, PA.