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Posts Tagged ‘travel physical therapy’

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Golfers Keeping Physical Therapists Busy

Tuesday, June 23rd, 2009

By Christine Whitmarsh, RN, BSN

I recently had my first golf lesson by my significant other. His major critique was that I should stop swinging the club more like a baseball bat (what can I say, it’s my favorite sport). Other than that, there was no serious damage done and no injuries or pulled muscles that would send me screaming to a doctor or in, increasingly more cases of sports injuries, a physical therapist.

Many physical therapists and traveling physical therapists are likely to see an increase in golf related injuries this time of year, due to that sport’s peak popularity in the summer when the sun is shining and the lush greens start to beckon. When the amateur golfer, especially the “weekend warrior” golfer, is not in proper shape, they are in danger of sustaining a variety of injuries from the swing of the club. One bad swing (not “bad golf game” bad either) can lead to lower back, shoulder, knee and hip injuries. This is because one golf swing greatly multiplies the stress that the body weight places on the spine.

I credit my injury-free day to some good luck and also to my regular fitness routine, which incorporates total body conditioning. This is important in the sport of golf, which uses basically every major muscle group in the body, from quads, gluts and abs to delts, pecs, triceps and biceps. Physical therapists and travel pts can cite evidence of this in the types of specific injuries seen in golfers including: back pain, tennis or golfer’s elbow, shoulder pain, carpal tunnel syndrome (from repetitive use), tendinitis, knee pain, wrist impaction, tendon subluxation and hand and wrist fractures. Physical therapists, traveling physical therapists (especially ones on attractive assignments to golf resort areas), and others working in sports and fitness training, recommend a good solid regimen of stretching before play and a fitness regimen in between that includes core work, squats and push-ups. Happy golfing!

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.

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Physical and Occupational Therapy Jobs Thriving

Monday, June 15th, 2009

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.

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Posted in AOTA, APTA, Allied Travel Jobs, OT Travel, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy | No Comments »

Therapists Help People Manage Stress, Avoid Illness

Thursday, June 11th, 2009

By Christine Whitmarsh, RN, BSN

Traveling physical therapists and travel occupational therapists working in clinical settings across the country surely see it every day – especially during these challenging times.  Accumulated stress, sleep deprivation, a compromised immune system and a set of generally unhealthy body movements and approach to activities of daily living, lead many Americans to seek medical help. In fact, research has shown that up to 90 percent of doctor’s office visits are stress related in some way. Some people are diagnosed with chronic stress related illnesses such as back pain, headaches, sleeping disorders and even hypertension and digestive dysfunction. Others are saddled with “chronic pain” and a plethora of prescription and over the counter medications to manage their lives. Most patients suffering from stress related symptoms and illnesses, however, may be surprised at the potential positive impact of physical or occupational therapy.

Physical therapy can be incredibly effective in providing relief for chronic pain, while restoring functionality and flexibility throughout the body. It is also a healthier alternative to long term regimens of prescription painkillers and even some over the counter medications. This is especially important since the American Geriatrics Society has issued warnings regarding the chronic use of NSAID medications such as ibuprofen and aspirin in the elderly. Physical therapy for pain relief does not come with the life threatening side effects of those drugs, such as ulcers, uncontrollable blood pressure, impaired kidney function, and gastrointestinal bleeding. Occupational therapists play a vital role in assessing potentially harmful patterns in a person’s daily routine and teaching them healthier ways to function, manage stress and live their life.

Stress may be an inevitable part of life, but the illness, injury and pain that it can lead to, are not. Traveling physical therapy jobs and occupational therapy travel jobs are in demand in clinical settings across the country to spread this message and teach people strategies and techniques for living a healthy life.

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.

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Fun Forms of Physical Therapy

Thursday, June 4th, 2009

By Christine Whitmarsh, RN, BSN

Floating in the pool, going for a horse ride or walking a dog may not exactly sound like the most formal methods of physical therapy and occupational therapy.  However, when proven therapy techniques and the skill of a rehab therapist are combined with these activities, they become aquatic physical therapy, equestrian therapy (or therapeutic riding) and pet therapy. Attention therapists, traveling physical therapists and travel occupational therapists looking for a fresh way to apply your skills and expertise: One or more of these practice areas may be for you.

Aquatic Physical Therapy
The basic premise is physical therapy with conventional physical therapy goals, carried out in an aquatic environment. A water environment such as a swimming pool offers properties such as natural buoyancy and resistance that would require special equipment to achieve on dry land. Physical therapy in water benefits a variety of conditions including musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cardiovascular and more in all ages of patients.

Pet Therapy
Specially trained animals are used many different ways in therapeutic patient interventions. Overall, it has been proven the petting an animal releases endorphins, the calming, miracle chemical produced by the human body. From a therapy standpoint, this helps physical therapists with rehabilitating patients who would rather not go for their daily walk around the nurse’s station. Therapists have found that stubborn patients have a much harder time saying no to a dog than to them. Nothing against the therapists I’m sure.

Equestrian Therapy
Occupational therapists and physical therapists are a key component of equestrian therapy, also called “therapeutic riding.”  This form of therapy, carried out at special rehabilitation centers with specifically selected and trained horses, has been proven very therapeutic in patients with brain or spinal cord injuries as well as developmental disorders such as cerebral palsy. The motions of riding a horse imitate the same physical movements involved in walking and therefore can retrain the muscles of the trunk and upper body to move this way.

Music therapy has also been known to help special needs children improve their memory attention and motor abilities.

Therapists with a taste for learning something new and an urge to break free from hospital settings, even if just on a part time basis, may find a whole new set of learning experiences in these cutting edge forms of treatment by beginning a career as a traveling physical therapist.

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.

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Physical Therapy in Managing Scoliosis

Monday, June 1st, 2009

By Christine Whitmarsh, RN, BSN

When I was first diagnosed with scoliosis as a young teenager, chiropractic “exercises” were initially prescribed for me, in lieu of a brace or other more traditional care. This was largely because my mother was a long time chiropractic patient and fan of this alternative medicine practice. I remember the exercises basically as variations of bending at the waist. I have nothing against chiropractic medicine, but the exercises did not work and a few years later I ended up undergoing Harrington Rod surgery to correct my much more severe curvature. The exercise regimen I received after the surgery by my physical therapist, however, was incredibly effective in strengthening the muscles around my new hardware and improving my flexibility.

The “surgery vs. brace vs. other” treatment solutions for scoliosis have been debated for several decades. Physical therapists and traveling physical therapists may also find themselves involved in that debate. A physical therapy method called the “Schroth Method,” developed in Germany during the 1960’s, is a sequence of targeted exercises and posture intended to slow or halt the curvature of the spine caused by scoliosis. The physical therapist works with the patient while they are sitting, lying down and hanging from a bar. The idea is apparently to reprogram the body’s natural symmetry and ultimately reduce pain, improve posture and prevent the need for surgery.

You may guess correctly that I personally have my doubts about the effectiveness of procedures like this. However, as physical therapists and traveling physical therapists I would like to hear from you and get your take on such “alternative” scoliosis treatments.

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.

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Travel Therapy Company Focus: Medical Connections Part II

Thursday, May 28th, 2009

By Christine Whitmarsh, RN, BSN

Following, is the conclusion of my conversation with Ann Marie Ruggiero, Director of Travel Therapy and Recruiting at Medical Connections. Here, Ann Marie discusses other aspects of a career in travel therapy including how current health care trends may affect this field.

Which areas hold the most opportunities for travel therapists right now?

The majority of assignments are in skilled nursing settings like assisted living facilities, outpatient settings and of course in acute hospital settings. There is a pretty even need between physical therapy travel jobs, occupational therapy travel jobs, and travel speech therapy jobs.

How much experience is ideal for the aspiring travel therapist right now to get hired?

All therapists who aspire to travel need is one year of experience after graduation. The reason for this is that there is often a very minimal amount of orientation on a new assignment.  You may be hitting the floor by 10am on your first day.

In your opinion, how are current healthcare trends affecting travel therapy?

The increase in baby boomers will increase the need for travelers, especially in the skilled nursing facilities that we have contracts with throughout the United States. Even with the economy the way it is, we have found that therapy has slowed down slightly but there is still a big demand for traveling therapists at this time.

In light of this demand, we recommend that our therapists have multiple state licenses to make themselves more marketable and be able to accept a new assignment quickly. These are therapists who do not have a problem finding work at all. One of our benefits is 100% licensure reimbursement.  If you are contemplating going into travel, get at least one or two other state licenses.

Anything else we should know about Medical Connections?

We have wonderful benefits at Medical Connections as well as several solid clients we work with throughout the U.S.  We have recruiters available every day, even on Saturdays.  You can also go to our website (www.medicalconnections.com) to ask a question or submit an application through our website. Most important, I want travel therapists (or those considering this career) to know that we have so many travel therapy jobs right now that we can’t even fill them.

Medical Connections
www.medicalconnections.com

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.

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Posted in Allied Travel Jobs, OT Travel, Occupational Therapy, PT Blogs, Physical Therapy, Speech/Language Pathology | 1 Comment »

Career and Travel Opportunities for Physical Therapists

Wednesday, May 20th, 2009

By Kat Sanders

The job outlook for physical therapists (PT) has never been better, what with the advances in medical science increasing the life spans of older people and improving the prospects of survival for accident victims and babies with chronic conditions and diseases. A PT is a god-sent blessing to people who need their services because of the immense contribution they can make in improving the quality of life of people who need rehabilitation or occupational therapy. They play a large role in regulating and minimizing their pain and in helping them get back to normal life or live as normally as possible.

A qualified PT must graduate from an accredited physical therapist education program (a Master’s or Doctoral degree) in accordance with the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education and be licensed according to the requirements in the State he or she chooses to practice in. Besides this, they are required to continue their professional development through continuing education courses and workshops in order to maintain licensure.

Physical therapy job opportunities and physical therapy travel jobs are usually available in hospital and home settings for rehabilitative, therapeutic and orthopedic care. According to the US News & Career Report, the employment of PTs is expected to grow much faster than the average for all other occupations until the year 2014. While hospitals remain the largest employers of therapists, jobs are aplenty in private homes, nursing care facilities, offices of physicians and corporate offices (to develop exercise programs and teach safe work habits to employees in order to reduce injuries). Some therapists prefer to go into business on their own and freelance at various hospitals, adult day care centers, home health centers, rehabilitation centers and private homes, as and when their services are needed. Others choose to enter the field of consultation or teach in schools and colleges; a small number also choose to dedicate their lives to research.

If you’re looking to travel and see new places, a career as a traveling physical therapist could just be the opportunity you’re looking for. When your reputation is well established, you could gain employment in various parts of the country and work at jobs that pay well, provide you with decent accommodation, and make it worth your while with medical benefits, relocation allowances and other incentives.

You can expect to earn around $50,000 a year at the entry level and go on to make as much as $95,000 with experience and skill gained with the passing of the years. The average salary for physical therapists is around $78,000.

So if you’re good with people and are able to treat them with kindness and patience and help them cope with and get over their physical disabilities, you could check out the physical therapy profession – it could be your cup of tea.

This article is written by Kat Sanders, who regularly blogs on the topic of physical therapy assistant schools at her blog Physical Therapy Blog. To contact Kat, visit her website.


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Travel Therapy Assignments Galore

Thursday, May 14th, 2009

By Christine Whitmarsh, RN, BSN

As part of my research for upcoming columns, I have had the pleasure of interviewing travel therapy recruitment representatives from www.AlliedTravelCareers.com list of valued partner agencies. I have to admit that, even though I was well aware of the need for rehab therapists in hospitals and acute care settings across the country, I had no idea the extent of staffing needs in this area of medicine.

Each travel agency representative I have interviewed so far (with several more to go), has expressed a great need for physical therapists, occupational therapists and speech language pathologists who are looking for travel therapy jobs. One representative even pointed out that the definition of “travel” is a flexible one that can mean within 50 miles from your home.  Many of these same recruiters are hiring therapists into permanent positions.  If you are a therapist looking to custom design your career – from assignment locations (Texas is overflowing with available assignments) to salary, comprehensive benefits, your choice of clinical settings and assignment flexibility – this is absolutely the time to contact a recruiter from our partner agencies.

Stay connected with the blog here on ATC for more details from these interviews including specific information about the travel therapy companies and what they have to offer. Whether you are already a traveling therapist or considering a career in travel physical therapy, travel occupational therapy, or travel speech language pathology, the information generously shared by these industry experts will benefit your career.

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.

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Rehab Therapy Critical for Burn Victims

Tuesday, May 12th, 2009

By Christine Whitmarsh, RN, BSN

Burns are one of the most traumatic injuries the human body can endure.  Multiple body systems are simultaneously involved and, depending on the severity, burns can appear deceivingly non-threatening while doing most of their dirty work beneath the damaged skin. Damaged blood vessels dilate causing inflammation and edema are typically listed among many other life threatening problems.  Once the patient is stabilized and undergoes graft surgery, the rehabilitation work begins.

Following surgery, the possibility of webbing between fingers and toes along with the presence of scar tissue and its potential to prevent debilitating contractures, especially in joints, requires the skilled touch of a physical therapist. Patients with the most severe (third and fourth degree) burns are the ones who most often require intensive physical therapy (often called “physiotherapy” for those traveling physical therapist considering assignments in English speaking countries overseas). If not prevented through rehabilitation, skin, joint, muscle, tendon and ligament contractures can have a devastating effect on a burn patient’s life.  Rigid, contracted limbs can easily become the end of mobility and independence for patients.

Speech therapists and speech language pathologists are also an integral part of the burn patient’s treatment team in the case of smoke inhalation injuries.  Occupational therapists have a vital role in helping burn patients relearn activities of daily living.

Traveling physical therapists, travel occupational therapists and travel speech therapists all have the opportunity to have a positive and permanent effect on the lives of burn patients around the world. With the average rehabilitation time for serious burns being 18 months to two years, there are undoubtedly many opportunities for assignments in this area of patient care.

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.

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Back Pain Patients Prefer Physical Therapists

Tuesday, May 5th, 2009

By Christine Whitmarsh, RN, BSN

Physical therapists aren’t the only ones touting the benefits of non-surgical and alternative therapies for back pain.  An article in the May 2009 issue of Consumer Reports Magazine reports that 55% of the 14,000 back pain sufferers interviewed were highly satisfied with physical therapy as a treatment for back pain.  Ranking lowest on the satisfaction scale for back pain treatment was the care these patients received from primary care physicians (34%).

This data may be a revealing glimpse into patient perceptions of pharmaceutical care for pain (most often dished out by primary care doctors) versus a more hands-on approach utilized by physical therapists, rehabilitation therapists, acupuncturists and other therapeutic practitioners.  Since nearly 80 percent of American adults report suffering from some level of back pain at some point, this is encouraging data that will most likely drive more back pain sufferers to physical therapists.  It’s no wonder that U.S. News & World Report recently ranked a career in physical therapy as number one, of “5 jobs that may be your best shot at finding work.”

Physical therapists and traveling physical therapists have seen the debilitating effects of chronic back pain in their patients.  The American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) has expressed their optimism about the Consumer Reports data, particularly in regards to back pain patients looking at conservative treatment approaches first.  Orthopedic surgery and narcotics are of course viable solutions for many patients, however, seeing a physical therapist first may be a wiser approach for patients seeking more conservative treatment.

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.

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