By Christine Whitmarsh, RN, BSN
Health care jobs are booming, with physical therapy jobs and occupational therapy jobs topping many career industry lists. The same goes for traveling therapists who are interested in traveling physical therapy or traveling occupational therapy. Colleges and vocational schools are filling open slots in these programs quickly, with students aspiring to take advantage of jobs in an industry that not only appears to be recession proof, but is also growing at a rapid pace. Many therapists are also reporting that they have job offers lined up before graduation. This is especially true of traveling physical and traveling occupational therapists.
The health care industry is on track to create 3 million new jobs between 2006 and 2016 – outnumbering any other industry. Physical therapy employment is projected to grow 27 percent in that time period. The highest projected employment growth is 55 percent is in home health care and other services outside of hospitals with a still impressive 13 percent growth predicted in hospitals. This gives all health care employees many options to choose from in regards to types of clinical settings. Those aspiring to be traveling physical therapists or travel occupational therapists are also in a great position to take advantage of this abundance of therapy jobs, most with salaries ranging from $60,000 to $70,000 per year.
Therapy clients in every area of the country, in every age group, from newborn to aging baby boomers and the elderly are in need of skilled therapists to assist them in managing the daily demands of chronic illnesses and acute disabilities. All therapists, especially those dealing with the flexibility required in a travel career, need to be in good physical shape. This is especially true of therapists working in hospitals with acutely ill patients who need the most assistance and support. Whether you are looking for that kind of work, or therapy assignments in home health or long term care settings, travel jobs are out there for those with the initiative to apply now.
Sources: U.S. Dept. of Labor, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Christine Whitmarsh is a Registered Nurse with a BSN from the University of Rhode Island. She is a freelance health journalist and medical writer and a contributor to Travel Nurse Source and Allied Travel Careers.
