Learning how to start a mobile medical clinic involves navigating through several hurdles. Some of the challenges you might face along the way are:
- Vehicle issues due to choosing the wrong mobile clinic manufacturer
- Budget constraints because of a lackluster fundraising campaign
- Not having a clear business plan that outlines your mobile clinic’s goals
At AVAN Mobility, we’re committed to helping organizations like yours reduce barriers to healthcare nationwide. We manufacture fully customizable mobile medical vans with equipment that cater to your specific healthcare focus.
After reading this article, you’ll have a better idea of how to start a mobile medical clinic and know more about:
- What to include in your mobile clinic business plan
- The importance of picking the right manufacturer
- Building partnerships
- Choosing the right team
1. Create a business plan for your mobile medical clinic
Learning how to start a mobile clinic requires careful planning and a well-crafted business plan.
Here are some things to think about to help you get started:
Research and identify your target market
First, start researching to find out the healthcare needs in your organization’s target community. Figure out who needs your mobile clinic’s services the most. It might be people living in rural areas that don’t have easy access to many medical options, or those living in low-income neighborhoods.
The more specific you are in this step, the better framework you’ll have going forward with the rest of your business plan.
Define your services
Decide what medical services your mobile clinic will offer. Start by answering these couple of questions on what services your organization provides:
- Do you provide regular check-ups?
- Are you involved in overdose prevention?
- Do you provide counseling services?
Be open to adjusting your services based on what the target community requires.
Create a budget
Make a detailed budget that includes all the costs of starting and running your mobile clinic. This should cover things like:
- Costs of the mobile medical clinic vehicle
- Necessary medical equipment, supplies, and medicines
- Money for hiring and training staff, including medical professionals
- Insurance to protect your clinic and staff
- Marketing and promoting your clinic so people know about it
- Fuel expenses and vehicle maintenance
Try to find funding sources or grants to help with your budget and keep the clinic running smoothly.
Develop a marketing strategy
In your business plan, you’ll need a good marketing strategy to let people know about your mobile clinic and where it’s going to be. Use social media, community events, and partnerships with local groups to promote your services. Explain how your mobile clinic is convenient, accessible, and provides personalized care to those in need.
2. Choose the right mobile clinic manufacturer
As you’re in the process of learning how to start a mobile medical clinic, you’ll be faced with the decision of which manufacturers to choose.
Here’s why it’s so important:
Safety and compliance
A good manufacturer will build your mobile clinic according to industry standards. This ensures your clinic meets all the necessary safety requirements, creating a safe and compliant environment for patients and staff.
Customization options
The right manufacturer will offer options to customize the mobile clinic to your specific needs. You’ll have options for the layout, what medical equipment you need, and where it goes. These options help your organization provide excellent care more efficiently.
Quality and durability
Choosing a reliable manufacturer ensures that your mobile clinic is made with premium materials and great craftsmanship. This is especially important for organizations who are planning on taking their mobile clinic in rural areas where smoothly paved roads don’t exist.
Efficient workflow
A well-designed mobile clinic allows your medical team to work more efficiently. The layout and equipment placement can improve how patients move through the clinic and reduce unnecessary movements, making the whole process more productive.
Maintenance and support
Go for a manufacturer that offers ongoing maintenance support and service for your mobile clinic. Regular maintenance keeps your clinic in good working condition, reducing downtime and disruptions to patient care.
Warranty and after-sales support
Ask about the manufacturer’s warranty and the support they provide after the sale. A good warranty and responsive support can give you peace of mind and protect you from unexpected expenses.
Take a look through some of our comparison articles for more information on the right manufacturer to consider for your organization’s needs::
- CGS Premier vs. AVAN Mobility
- Summit Bodyworks vs. AVAN Mobility: Comparing Mobile Medical Vehicle Manufacturers
If you’re interested in learning more about our manufacturing process at AVAN Mobility, talk with an expert.
3. Build strong partnerships for your mobile medical clinic
Building strong partnerships with hospitals, healthcare providers, and community organizations will play a huge role in the success of your mobile medical clinic.
Keep the following factors in mind:
Research potential partners: Start by searching for hospitals, organizations, and healthcare providers that have the same goals and values as your organization.
Attend local events: Going to local community events is a good way to meet potential partners in person. At these events, you can spread awareness about your mobile clinic plans.
Reach out to the government and local authorities: Contact your local government and let them know your plans to start a mobile medical clinic. In many cases, they can provide support, guidance, and information about regulations. They can also guide you toward obtaining additional funding.
Corporate sponsorship: Look for help from businesses and companies that care about giving back to society. They might donate money or offer to help keep the mobile clinic running smoothly.
Educational institutions: Work together with universities, medical schools, or nursing programs. Students and teachers can use their abilities and knowledge to help out with the clinic while also gaining valuable experience.
Pharmaceutical companies: Build connections with pharmaceutical companies. They might give medicines, medical supplies, and equipment at lower prices or even as free donations.
As you’re in the process of building partnerships, make sure to clearly explain your organization’s mission and vision. Focus on the problems your clinic will solve, such as providing personalized care to people that don’t have access to it.
Take a look at the video below of one of our past clients who is successfully using the Mobile Clinic Van in Joplin, Missouri!
4. Get the necessary permits and licenses
To run a mobile medical clinic, there are permits and licenses you need to get depending on what region you’re located in. Each region differs, and this is where reaching out to your local government will come in handy. For example, the application package to start a mobile clinic in California is different from a mobile clinic in Oregon.
It can be very confusing to navigate the regulations when learning how to start a mobile medical clinic. During the application process, you should reach out to a lawyer to ensure you don’t miss any laws or regulations along the way. Healthcare advisors can also guide you in the right direction to make sure your organization complies with health and safety standards.
Another thing to keep in mind is that licenses and permits need to be renewed regularly. The renewal frequency depends on where you live, but usually, it’s once a year. To make sure you don’t overlook this, contact your local licensing boards or regulatory agencies for the most up-to-date information.
Lastly, keep in mind that inspectors will come to check your clinic to ensure it meets health and safety standards. When inspectors visit mobile medical clinics, they check things like:
Safety and cleanliness: They make sure the mobile clinic and equipment are in good shape and follow proper infection control measures.
Records: Inspectors check if patient records are well-maintained and kept private.
Staff qualifications: They check that the medical staff has the right licenses and qualifications to provide services.
5. Provide culturally competent care in your mobile clinic
Cultural competence is super important for your mobile medical clinic. It means understanding and respecting the beliefs, values, and practices of different people.
When you provide culturally competent care, it helps your patients feel understood and respected. This leads to better health outcomes and more patient satisfaction. It also helps reduce health disparities and promotes fairness in healthcare.
Here are some great ways to be culturally competent in your mobile clinic:
Hire a diverse team
Having a diverse team means having people from different backgrounds who can speak different languages. This helps you communicate better with your patients and understand their needs.
Cultural training
Cultural training helps them learn about other people’s beliefs and traditions. It also helps them communicate better across different cultures.
Use interpreters
If you’re going to be operating in areas where your patients speak a different language, don’t worry. You can use interpreters to help with communication. Interpreters make sure everyone understands each other.
Connect with the community
Get to know the people in your target community. Talk to community leaders and members to learn about their healthcare needs.
Share information in different languages
Not everyone speaks the same language, and that’s okay. Aside from English, one of the most common languages in the U.S. is Spanish. Consider creating materials in different languages to help patients understand important health information.
Patients who do not possess a strong command of the English language must be afforded language access as mandated by federal laws and regulations.
Remember, being culturally competent is something you keep learning about. It’s a journey of understanding and respecting others.
What’s next?
You found our article while looking for more information on how to start a mobile health clinic.
Following the 5 tips discussed in this article will help your organization get started in the right direction.
At AVAN Mobility, no challenge is too large for us. We want your mobile medical clinic to succeed, and that’s why we only use the best materials, equipment, staff, and strategies to get the job done. If you have any lingering questions about how to start a mobile medical clinic the right way, talk to an expert.
Or, take a look at some of our other informative articles that will steer you on the right path to starting your mobile clinic.
