A medical courier is a person employed by either a medical company or courier delivery services to deliver medical materials from place to place. These materials range from blood and laboratory test samples to medical files and other confidential information, and are generally time-sensitive. The courier has a planned route of service, determined by pick-up and delivery locations and the sensitivity of the items being delivered.
Finding a reliable medical courier is actually rather easy, even without personal recommendations. A business offering medical courier services is often preferable to an unaffiliated independent contractor, as they can better insure the materials bring transported. Most businesses offer same-day delivery service because most bodily fluids and materials become compromised or begin to degenerate after existing outside the body for an extended period of time. Their vehicles and storage facilities are extremely secure and often climate-controlled. Reliable courier delivery services often advertise their association with larger organizations, such as a national medical research non-profit or major hospital network, so the company websites often provide an excellent view into the company’s reputation. The professional status of these companies is also reflected by the types of people they employ as couriers.
Some medical courier services offer national, and even worldwide coverage. This allows the company to ensure quality delivery, no matter how far the service is requested to extend. Services with regional coverage, on the other hand, limit themselves to smaller geographical areas, so as to maintain their standard of same day delivery service. These areas are often as small as a state or two, and if a client needs transportation outside of that zone, the company must further outsource to accommodate the client.
A courier delivery service company has the right to decide whether they want to internally employ their drivers and train them to company standards or hire independent contractors as drivers. Using independent contractors allows the drivers more freedom to make business choices, like routes, uniform, and interaction with clients. It also lowers the cost of doing business, allowing the company to provide lower rates to clients. By the same token, the company also has the right to decide how far they want their services to extend. Some limit their services to medical courier services alone, while some broaden their services to include storage, delivery of non medical cargo, and even inventory management.
