Justin Coleman

Most people go to Vegas with a dream of winning big at the casinos. Justin Coleman won big by visting Vegas to learn more about his chosen profession. While attending the APTA Combined Sections Meeting in Vegas last weekend, Justin stopped by the Allied Travel Careers booth and took a minute to enter a drawing for an HP MIni 1033CL notebook PC. This morning he received a call and was told he was the winner.

Justin’s response? “That’s awesome!”

Justin is a resident of Dahlonega, GA and is a first year student at North Georgia College and State University. He will graduate in 2011.

I asked Justin why he wanted to be a physical therapist and what he hopes to do with his career. I think it is worth publishing his entire response.

“I believe that each and every human being has a chance to make the lives of those around them better. Some people have the ability to do so with a kind word or a kind gesture. I believe Physical Therapy is a God given calling and a gift, not unlike many professions in the health care industry, that will allow me to do the greatest good for those I come into contact with. Basically I just want to be able to make the lives of the people I will some day treat, better.

“I am looking to focus on Neurology or Pediatrics down the road; however, considering I am still a first year that has time to change. I believe that neurological injuries are the greatest insult to the human body and most individuals’ way of life, and that helping these individuals return to “normal” (pre-injury) ability or helping them to obtain the greatest possible quality of life would be extremely rewarding not only to me but to them also.

“As far as pediatrics goes I would like to help children exceed their preliminary prognosis and obtain the best quality of life throughout their lifespan so that, while they are still young, they can experience the true joy of childhood and to be able to live the best possible life after childhood.”

I think that Physical Therapy is getting quite a thoughtful and capable yopung man who represents the best of rehabilitation therapists.

Congratulations again Justin! The PC is on its way.

By Christine Whitmarsh, RN, BSN

As promised, here is the first in a series of blogs specifically dedicated to rehabilitation therapists who want to learn about the rewards of a career as a traveling allied health professional. In this blog, I will highlight some compelling reasons why physical therapists should consider a career as a traveling physical therapist.

> Big Demand means Big Opportunities: Physical therapy travel jobs are in high supply because of the great demand for health professionals who would consider a career as a traveling physical therapist.

> Nursing isn’t the only shortage: The media loves to talk about the nursing shortage, but they sometimes forget that healthcare is a “team sport.” Patient care requires a collaborative approach, and physical therapists are an integral part of that team. Therefore traveling physical therapists are in high demand by hospitals with openings in those teams. As the patient population ages, staffing in long term care facilities such as nursing homes also holds great opportunities for the traveling physical therapist.

> Fear of commitment? Some travel physical therapy jobs are as short as 13 weeks. The perfect time to experience all the benefits of a travel career and make an informed decision about whether this is the career for you.

Quick Facts*:
> Average Hourly Rate: $25-$40
> Temporary contracts are typically renewed when the assignment is completed
> Many traveling physical therapists are offered permanent employment
> The state-to-state licensing procedure is generally very convenient and many traveling physical therapist agencies reimburse any related expenses

Are you a travel physical therapist – either new to the job or a seasoned travel career veteran? Please leave a comment about some personal opportunities you have found as a travel physical therapist. Thanks!

*American Physical Therapy Association

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.

By Christine Whitmarsh, RN, BSN

I mentioned in my first blog the growing demand for travel rehabilitation therapists. Physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech and language pathologists in particular – I’m talking to you. Unlike travel nurses, who typically need a year of experience before a travel nursing company will place them in a travel position, rehabilitation therapists are being offered travel positions right out of school. This means that if you are a physical therapist, occupational therapist, speech pathologist, and also respiratory therapist or other allied health position, your travel therapy career is waiting for you.

Travel rehabilitation therapists in all the areas I mentioned are in very short supply and high demand. The benefits of travel PT jobs, OT jobs and other allied travel jobs in rehabilitation therapy are as diverse as they are attractive.

• Love to travel? Take your career on the road and get paid for it with all expenses reimbursed, and private furnished housing a standard perk.
• Love money and benefits? Enjoy competitive salaries and benefits from day one.
• Love stability? Find an agency you like and enroll in one of their 401K options.
• Love your work? A travel career means you are sent where you are most needed and where your skills and passion will be most appreciated.

In the next series of blogs, I will profile each individual rehabilitation therapy and allied health career. This way you can see for yourself how a career as a travel occupational therapist, travel physical therapist, travel speech therapist and more, might be just what you’re looking for.

Are you already a travel rehabilitation therapist? I want to hear from you. Please comment on this and my other blogs and let me know how you travel career differs from a traditional career in your discipline (if you’ve done both). I look forward to your feedback!

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.