Are you ready to embark on an exciting journey in allied health? Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting, traveling allied health professions offer the perfect blend of adventure and purpose. Imagine exploring new cities while making a real difference in patients’ lives! In this blog, we’ll dive into the best allied health careers that not only allow you to work on the go but also come with remarkable opportunities for growth and experience.
So pack your bags and get ready to discover which path might be your next great adventure!
Benefits of Working as an Allied Health Traveler
Working as an allied health traveler comes with a massive list of perks. This makes it an enticing option for health professionals looking to broaden their horizons. If you’re contemplating taking the leap into this dynamic field, you absolutely should.
The freedom to explore different locations while honing your skills is just the beginning. Not only do travelers enjoy competitive pay and flexible schedules, but they also have the opportunity to immerse themselves in diverse cultures and healthcare systems.
Now, let’s dive into some specific benefits that make allied health traveling a rewarding career choice.
Financial Advantages
One of the best benefits of working as an allied health traveler is the financial compensation. Many travel contracts come with higher pay rates, allowing professionals to earn a lucrative income while exploring new locations.
The demand for allied health professionals is significant, as the Association of Schools Advancing Health Professions notes that these workers constitute 60% of the entire U.S. healthcare workforce. This growing demand enhances the potential for financial rewards in the field.
Additionally, travel allied health professionals frequently receive generous stipends for housing, meals, and travel expenses. These financial incentives enable healthcare travelers to enjoy a comfortable lifestyle and save for future goals.
Flexibility & Work-Life Balance
Flexibility is a key advantage of being an allied health traveler. It allows allied health professionals to structure their work around personal preferences and priorities.
Many travel positions offer short-term contracts, enabling allied health workers to choose assignments that align with their schedules. That can mean working a few weeks in one city or several months elsewhere.
This adaptability can lead to a better work-life balance, as travelers can take time off between contracts to rest, pursue hobbies, or spend time with family and friends. Ultimately, this career path allows you to grow professionally and gives you the freedom to live on your own terms.
Professional Growth & Skill Enhancement
Working in the travel allied healthcare industry provides unparalleled professional growth and skill enhancement opportunities. Exposure to diverse healthcare settings and patient populations helps travelers develop a versatile skill set that can distinguish them in the job market.
Each new assignment presents unique challenges and learning experiences, whether it’s adapting to different technologies, working alongside varied teams, or managing patient care in distinct environments.
This dynamic work experience not only broadens clinical competencies and acts as on-the-job training but also fosters adaptability, problem-solving, and communication skills essential for success in any healthcare career.
As you navigate through different roles and locations, you’ll find yourself enhancing your resume and evolving into a more confident and capable allied health practitioner.
Opportunity to Explore New Places
One of the most thrilling aspects of being an allied health traveler is exploring new places. Each assignment often provides an opportunity to visit not just the cities where you work but also the surrounding areas, offering many experiences from local cuisine to outdoor adventures.
Whether it’s hiking national parks, visiting historical landmarks, or enjoying vibrant arts scenes, the environment in which you work becomes a playground for discovery.
Additionally, the ability to network with fellow allied healthcare providers across the country expands your horizons. This can lead to friendships and collaborations that last long after your assignment ends.
8 Best Allied Health Careers for New Travelers
Taking your allied health career on the road opens up a world of possibilities, allowing you to blend your professional aspirations with the excitement of travel.
Below, we’ll explore the top eight allied health careers for new travelers. We’ll highlight roles that are high-paying, in-demand, and immensely popular among adventure seekers.
Physical Therapist
Physical therapy is one of the most sought-after allied health careers for travelers. PTs work with patients of various ages and conditions, helping them recover mobility, manage pain, and improve their quality of life. The demand for physical therapists is consistently high, making it a stable choice for those seeking travel positions.
With opportunities to work in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, or outpatient clinics, you’ll have the chance to apply your skills in different settings nationwide.
The rewarding nature of this work, coupled with the ability to experience diverse healthcare systems, ensures that each assignment benefits your patients and enriches your professional journey.
Browse travel physical therapy jobs at AlliedTravelCareers.
Occupational Therapist
Occupational therapy is another enriching career for healthcare workers eager to travel. As an occupational therapist, you will assist individuals of all ages in achieving their goals related to daily living.
The demand for occupational therapists remains strong, particularly in schools, hospitals, and rehabilitation facilities, providing ample opportunities for travel assignments. Each role allows you to work with diverse patient populations, adapting your techniques to meet various cultural and environmental demands.
This flexibility enhances your clinical skills and fosters a deeper understanding of how different lifestyles and contexts influence rehabilitation.
Browse travel occupational therapy jobs at AlliedTravelCareers.
Speech-Language Pathologist
Speech-language pathology is a dynamic and fulfilling career that attracts many allied health professionals looking to travel. As a speech-language pathologist (SLP), you will provide vital services to individuals experiencing communication and swallowing disorders. The versatility of this role allows SLPs to work in various environments, including schools, rehabilitation centers, and hospitals.
Traveling as an SLP broadens your clinical experience and helps you engage with a wide range of patient populations. This enhances your ability to tailor therapeutic approaches to meet diverse needs.
Browse travel speech-language pathology jobs at AlliedTravelCareers.
Diagnostic Medical Sonographer
As a diagnostic medical sonographer, you’ll play a crucial role in the healthcare sector by using ultrasound technology to create images of a patient’s internal structures. This allied health profession is in high demand, allowing for flexible travel assignments across various medical facilities.
Sonographers often work in hospitals, clinics, and private practices, where they employ their skills in obstetrics, abdominal imaging, and more, providing essential diagnostic information to physicians. Each new assignment offers unique cases and opportunities to work with diverse patient populations, enhancing your technical expertise and interpersonal skills.
Browse travel ultrasound jobs at AlliedTravelCareers.
Registered Respiratory Therapist
Registered respiratory therapists (RRTs) are essential healthcare professionals who specialize in assessing and treating patients with respiratory and cardiopulmonary disorders.
As an allied health traveler in this field, you’ll find numerous opportunities to work in various settings. The demand for registered respiratory therapists is consistently strong, especially as respiratory conditions become more prevalent.
This career path allows you to make a significant impact on patient health through interventions and education. Plus, it grants you the chance to experience diverse healthcare systems and practices nationwide.
Browse travel respiratory therapy jobs at AlliedTravelCareers.
Physical Therapy Assistant
Physical therapy assistants (PTAs) play a vital role in rehabilitation by supporting physical therapists in delivering care. In this allied health career, you will work closely with patients and other healthcare providers. You’ll help them carry out treatment plans, perform exercises, and monitor their progress.
As a traveling PTA, you can work in various settings, from hospitals to outpatient clinics and even in patients’ homes. This role’s flexibility allows you to adapt your approach to the unique needs of diverse populations.
Browse travel physical therapy assistant jobs at AlliedTravelCareers.
Certified Occupational Therapist Assistant
The role of a certified occupational therapist assistant (COTA) is integral to the success of occupational therapy services. As a COTA, you will support occupational therapists in implementing treatment plans and facilitating therapeutic activities that help clients build the skills necessary for daily living and working.
This position particularly appeals to allied health professionals due to the high demand for COTAs in various settings, including hospitals, schools, and outpatient facilities. Working as a traveling COTA allows you to gain experience in multiple healthcare environments, collaborate with different professionals, and encounter diverse patient populations.
Browse travel COTA jobs at AlliedTravelCareers.
Medical Assistant
Medical assistants (MAs) serve as crucial support in healthcare settings, combining administrative and clinical tasks to enhance patient care. In this role, you will work alongside physicians, other healthcare professionals, and even health systems management teams to perform various duties. These may include taking patient histories, preparing examination rooms, and assisting with minor procedures.
The demand for medical assistants is ever-growing, particularly in hospitals, outpatient clinics, and physicians’ offices, making it an ideal career for those who wish to travel.
Browse medical assistant jobs at AlliedTravelCareers.
Steps to Becoming an Allied Health Traveler
Ready to start your allied travel journey? Keep reading to learn the steps to becoming an allied health traveler.
- Obtain the Required Education: Start by earning a relevant degree or certificate in your chosen allied health field, such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, or respiratory therapy. Each profession has specific educational requirements, usually involving an associate’s or bachelor’s degree.
- Achieve Necessary Certifications: Obtain the appropriate licensure or certification for your profession after completing your education. This may include passing a national exam and meeting your state’s licensing requirements to practice in your area.
- Gain Relevant Experience: Many employers prefer to hire allied health workers with hands-on experience in their field. Consider working in a clinical setting for at least 1-2 years to develop your skills and gain practical knowledge.
- Research Travel Opportunities: Explore travel staffing agencies specializing in placing allied health professionals. Research their reputations, benefits, and the locations of the assignments they offer. Browse top allied staffing agencies on AlliedTravelCareers.
- Narrow Down Your Dream Locations: When selecting your travel assignments, consider factors such as climate, cost of living, lifestyle preferences, and proximity to family and friends. Make a list of destinations that resonate with you. Prioritize your preferences, whether it’s adventure, cultural experiences, or simply a change of scenery.
- Prepare Your Resume and Credentials: Tailor your resume to highlight your clinical experience, certifications, and adaptability as a traveler. Ensure that your professional references are up-to-date and willing to support your applications.
- Apply for Travel Positions: Submit one easy application at AlliedTravelCareers to get connected with hundreds of opportunities that match what you’re looking for. Feel free to browse open positions and apply directly to jobs you’re interested in.
- Pack Your Bags: Once you’ve accepted a travel assignment, prepare for your new adventure! Pack essentials like professional attire and personal items, research the area you’ll be living in and make any necessary arrangements for housing and transportation.
Find Your Dream Assignment With AlliedTravelCareers
Embarking on a journey as an allied health traveler offers the chance to advance your clinical skills, explore diverse environments, and connect with a variety of patient populations. The dynamic nature of this career path ensures that no two days are the same, providing both personal and professional growth.
If you’re ready to take the next step in your career and discover exciting travel opportunities, look no further than AlliedTravelCareers.
With a wealth of resources and support, AlliedTravelCareers can help you find your dream assignment and make your travel aspirations a reality. Take the leap and enrich your allied health career today!
