Travel Therapy Blog

Posts Tagged ‘travel therapy jobs’

Physical Therapists Provide Pain Management Solutions

Monday, July 20th, 2009

By Erica Ronchetti

Physical therapists know that an interval of short term pain is something almost everyone will experience at one point in their lives.  Whether it be cuts, strains, fractures, surgery, or an unfortunate accident, patients know their health will improve as their injuries heal.  This confidence that the pain will go away makes the healing process easier, as well as the knowledge that they will resume a normal life eventually, as if nothing had happened.

However, physical therapists may have to deal with another side of patients, especially those who suffer from chronic or long-term pain.  If patients become aware that their situation may persist over time, their mental state can change and feelings of resentment can develop, almost as if their bodies have let them down.  Their decline in health and overall mood can impact other areas of their lives, such as their relationships with others, work, and family life.  This shift in mood can cause patients to stop enjoying the activities they once loved.  Stress, depression, and pain are causations of a vicious cycle that can lead to insomnia, weight gain, and depression.

Physical therapists and traveling physical therapists can provide solutions and hope for patients who suffer from chronic long-term pain and help them regain control of their lives.  The first step to recovery is discovering that a better life is attainable. Remaining positive despite difficulties and finding a physical therapist that can provide real help is crucial to a successful recovery.  Therapists guide patients through pain management and ease them through emotional and physical barriers, helping them to regain control in both aspects of their lives.

Physical therapists, if you’re interested in pursuing a career in travel physical therapy, don’t hesitate to visit our website to learn more about physical therapy travel jobs or traveling occupational therapy jobs.

Erica Ronchetti is Account Manager for Travel Nurse Source, a recruiting company for traveling nurses.  Travel Nurse Source is affiliated with Allied Travel Careers, a recruiting company for traveling physical therapists, occupational therapists, and speech language pathologists.  For more information on what we do, please visit our websites.

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

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 »

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 »

Travel Therapy Company Focus: Cirrus Allied Part II

Tuesday, May 19th, 2009

By Christine Whitmarsh, RN, BSN

Following, is part two of my conversation with Candace Berk, President of Cirrus Allied (formerly MDI Medical).

What kind of advice would you give to new travel therapists?

Make sure your company has your back and understands your career goals. For instance, some people just want to try one travel assignment and see if it works or just travel for the summer. Others may come across a facility where they would like a permanent position. Those are all things that we can accommodate, but it’s important for all therapists to make sure that their travel company understands what they want and not what the company needs.

How can new travel therapists determine which agency is best for their needs?

To start with, it comes down to your relationship with your travel recruiter. Are they calling you back when they said they would?  Are they clear on the job expectations? Do you trust that how they will represent you will be based on what you want? Do you connect with them? Are they listening to what you need? Ask for therapist references.

Can travel therapy work if the therapist has a family?

Most of our travelers will be young and not yet have a family.  They will do travel therapy jobs before they settle down.  We also have empty nesters as travel therapists.

We do have people who travel with families who make it work either by home schooling their kids or keeping the therapist busy in the area they want to work in.  We’re a large enough company where we have that kind of flexibility.

Which travel therapy careers are most in demand now?

Physical, occupational and speech therapists are all in high demand now. It also depends on the setting. For instance, speech language pathologists are most in demand by schools.  Across the board, physical therapists are needed everywhere.  Physical therapists and occupational therapists are both needed in home health.

In closing?

As a travel therapist, your job is to enable patient satisfaction. If you’re focused on that, everybody wins.

Cirrus Allied (formerly MDI Medical)
www.mdimedical.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, Physical Therapy, Speech/Language Pathology | No Comments »

Travel Therapy Company Focus: Cirrus Allied

Monday, May 18th, 2009

By Christine Whitmarsh, RN, BSN

As promised, here are the highlights of a very informative conversation I recently had with a representative from Atlanta, Texas and Charlotte based Cirrus Allied, a valued travel agency partner of Allied Travel Careers.  I spoke with President Candace Berk about her company, what they look for in travel therapists and advice she has for aspiring travel therapists.

What makes Cirrus Allied stand out from other travel therapy companies?

Cirrus Allied, formerly MDI medical, has been in the travel therapy market for 7 years. We dedicated ourselves specifically to the therapy market before it was cool to be in therapy. Our therapist clients find it great that we have a niche focus in a broad setting. We place therapists in schools, government settings, home health agencies, hospitals and in skilled nursing facilities across the country. We have also received outstanding recognition for our customer service. We understand that therapists have their choice of companies to work with and are honored that they choose us. We also offer excellent benefits, something we’re seeing competitors drop in the current market. We have a broad client base and get travel therapy jobs anywhere in the country.

Who are the best candidates for a career in travel therapy?

Therapists who have at least one year of experience who want to grow their resume, experience level, and make more money doing it. They have to be adaptable to different clinical settings while understanding that certain personality traits match up with each setting. It’s not just about matching up clinical skills.

What are the most important questions new travel therapists should ask about a new assignment?

They should get a clear expectation of the pay rate, benefits, housing specifics (some companies really shave money on the housing), job expectations including caseload and really the totally package from their recruiter and the client. Unfortunately in this market there are many verbal commitments so they should make sure the promises are all in writing. Also ask about the orientation provided. Most places provide anywhere between 8-24 hours. Once a therapist has some experience traveling, they generally know how things work other than learning a few new idiosyncrasies of each new place. Very often we’ll sit in on the phone interviews with clients to make sure it’s the right fit, especially if they’re new to travel.

See our next blog for the conclusion of my interview with Cirrus Allied President and travel therapy industry expert Candace Berk.

Cirrus Allied (formerly MDI Medical)
www.mdimedical.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, Physical Therapy, Speech/Language Pathology | No Comments »