Hi, my name is Natalie Barber and I am the housing coordinator at MDI medical.  I have been with the company since January 2007. I help assist travelers with their housing needs when they are placed to a new assignment. I will be using this blog to write about traveling lifestyles that will help assist you on your next travel assignment!

For all of our Cirrus Allied Staffing travelers that have not already gotten your Christmas tree put up. Here are a few tips to help you find the best Christmas tree for your family and also save some money in the process. Finding the right Christmas tree can be fun for your family, but it can also be a pain. The prices of trees have risen tremendously in the last few years especially if you go to the lots of retailers to pick one out. They have risen because these retailers contract with farms all over the United States, and they usually have traveled thousands of miles to end up where you are buying them. So for all of our Cirrus Allied Staffing travelers the website posted below gives you a list of local Christmas tree farms around the U.S. all you need is to enter your zip code. Here you will find the freshest trees and you can even cut them down yourself if you would like to enjoy the experience in its entirety. If you can't find a Christmas tree farm near you house, then become aware of the types of Christmas trees that do grow in your area. Fake Christmas trees have also become extremely popular if someone in your family is allergic to the real ones. You can find them in many shapes and sizes and also in different colors. To make it really easy for some people, you can find them already decorated and with lights. They are sold at most of your major retailers, or you can find them at on-line retailers depending what you want.


http://www.christmastree.org/search.cfm

Hello all,

Just a note from your friendly Allied Health Jobs recruiter, especially during the "down time" of the holiday season.  Make sure you have the cell phone number of your manager and recruiter in case of any holiday time off or other issues associated with this time of year that is not already agreed upon in the standard contract.  We're all here to help if you have any questions, even if we're not in our office.  Also remember, if the facility is having issues with getting you the opportunity to work your 40 hours during holiday weeks, you almost always have the possibility to work on the holiday day itself, pending scheduled patients.  We could also ask our clients to have you work straight pay instead of time and a half so you won't miss out on your hours.  It's better to have regular rates instead of no rates, right? 

PS, look for MDI Medical's name change to Cirrus Allied Staffing after the new year, new name, same great company! 

Until next time, Happy Thanksgiving!

Tom Hidock

Not sure where to take your next assignment?  How about Boston, MA with MDI Medical, a Cirrus Company?  Boston has been widely considered the economic and cultural capital of the New England area.  It’s also the center of higher education due to the surrounding colleges and universities, including Harvard.  The city is also lush with historical significance.  Several important events in American history occurred in Boston, such as; the Boston Tea Party, the Boston Massacre, and the Battle of Bunker Hill to name a few.

 

There’s plenty to do in Boston whether you’re a history, arts, or sports buff.  There are several museums and art festivals.  The city is also home to several championship caliber sports teams: Boston Red Sox (MLB), New England Patriots (NFL), Boston Celtics (NBA), and the Boston Bruins (NHL).  The Red Sox, Celtics, and Patriots have all won at least one championship within the last 5 years.  The Red Sox also play in historical Fenway Park, the oldest active stadium in the country.  The Patriots also, flirted with history in 2008 by nearly completing a perfect season, until they were defeated by the New York Giants in the Super Bowl.  Boston has lots of warm weather in the spring and summer and beautiful snowfalls in the winter.  So contact MDI Medical, a Cirrus company for an assignment in Boston!  Catch a Sox game in April or a Patriots game in January…don’t worry about the weather, there’s plenty of Dunkin Donuts coffee around to keep you warm!  Check back for more cities or call me, Juan Soto at 678-993-2307.  Until then…safe travels and Happy Thanksgiving!

Attention all traveling physical therapist, occupational therapist, and speech language pathologist!!!

 

Now is the time to start thinking about your next travel assignment. If you are currently on assignment, or looking to start traveling, Cirrus Allied Staffing is the place you need to be.  We have great travel jobs for January 2009 available now.  Don’t wait or it might be too late. Don’t let the next traveling therapist take the assignment that was meant for you. We have a top notch travel program, and we offer great pay and benefits.   Contact me, Quincey Adger, at 866-518-1750 ext. 2309, for a great travel experience in a great location.   Remember, don’t wait, or it might be too late!

 

Physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, what are you doing this thanksgiving?  With the holidays approaching I thought I would dedicate a blog to my traveling therapists out there to share your holiday traditions, your plans for this thanksgiving, and what your doing for Christmas. Are you currently on a travel assignment now? Do you have to work for during the holidays? Are you waiting to take your next travel assignment until after the holidays? Is your family big into traditions? If so, what traditions does your family keep? I’m excited to hear your responses to this blog, maybe even some of us will find a new tradition that we’ll use with our families from what you share.

 

Blog Away Therapists!!!

Ashley Iero
Account Manager
MDI Medical/ Cirrus Allied Staffing

Cirrus Allied Staffing travelers not only is this the week of Thanksgiving, but it is also a big week in college football for in-state rivalries. This week pretty much every year the Division 1 schools all play their in-state arch rivals with the exception of the USC/UCLA game. Big games that you can all watch with you family and friends this holiday week include the following listed below. All times listed are Eastern Standard Time.  

Thursday Nov. 27, 2008
Texas vs Texas A.M. 8:00pm

Friday Nov. 28, 2008
Ole Miss vs Mississippi State 12:30pm

Saturday Nov. 29, 2008
UGA vs Georgia Tech 12:00pm
South Carolina @ Clemson 12:00pm
Virginia @ Virginia Tech 12:00pm
Auburn @ Alabama 3:30pm
Oregon @ Oregon State 7:00pm
Oklahoma @ Oklahoma State 8:00pm

This list includes a game that any of our Cirrus Allied Staffing travelers can enjoy no matter who your favorite football team. This week always brings some big upsets and great plays amongst top players in the league, so keep your eyes peeled for some changing in the BCS standing after this weekends games. Again, Happy Thanksgiving

Jenna Williams
Administrative Assistant

In my family, the day after Thanksgiving is not designated for shopping...we need the full day to put up our Christmas tree!  This has been a tradition in my family since before I can remember, and now that I have moved out of my parents' house, I am preparing my roommates for the annual Christmas decorating.  I live in an apartment like most of you on Travel Therapy Jobs and need to find the perfect Christmas tree for my space.  I found these tips on howtodothings.com about picking the perfect pine....

1- First things first..where are you putting the tree? Make sure you pick a place where the tree will not be in the way. Once you have the perfect spot picked out, measure the height and width of the space.

2- Buy a stand for the tree.  Be sure you buy one that is stable enough to weigh down the tree, and get one that can adjust to any trunk size. 

3- Buy the tree! All tree farms have different sizes to choose from. 

4- Set up the tree.  Before you begin decorating, allow the tree to sit in the stand with water for a few hours so the branches can loosen up.  This will make the tree look fuller!

5- Have fun admiring your tree when you are home from your Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy Jobs!

Brittany Walden
Receptionist

Attention all Allied Therapist currently working Travel Therapy Jobs. Please be cautious if you are traveling for the holidays this week. Here are few helpful tips to help make your travel a little less stressful:

*    Avoid peak travel days
*    If flying pack lightly and get a friend or shuttle to take you to the airport
        *check in before arriving to the airport
*    Make sure your car is in good working condition if traveling long distance on the         interstate
        *bring any snacks and emergency equipment that you may need

And always remember that accidents happen as with delays. So please remain calm if something does occur.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of our Traveling Therapist!

Natalie Barber
Cirrus Allied Staffing

This recipe was passed to me from one of our Traveling Physical Therapist:
 
6 hard cooked eggs, peeled
3 tablespoon of mayonnaise
1 teaspoon of mustard
1 teaspoon of vinegar
salt/ pepper to taste
paprika

Cut eggs lengthwise in half. Slip out yolk and mash in bowl with fork. Add mayonnaise, mustard, vinegar, salt and pepper. Mix well. Fill whites with yolk mix. Sprinkle paprika on top. Cover and refrigerate.

It's a great quick inexpensive recipe to take to any gathering over the holidays. You can specialize them to your own tasting. Try adding onion, relish, crab meat, even spinach.

After your week on your rehabilitation jobs take some time to prepare this easy delicious recipe for the Holidays.

Natalie Barber
Housing Coordinator
Cirrus Allied Staffing

With the economy in the shape that it is in right now, many retailers will be cutting prices on everything from clothing to electronics on Black Friday. Black Friday is knows as one of the busiest shopping days of the year, and they project that many more consumers will be out shopping so they can save on Christmas gifts. MDI Medical just wanted to remind everyone to get out there and get your shopping done while prices are being cut. With some big retailers closing their stores in a lot of cities, they will be having big sales to get everything out of their stores. Some of the stores closing before the beginning of  the new year are Circuit City and Linen's-n-Things. Also some smaller specialty retailers are closing a large number of stores around the U.S. because of the dooming economy. Some of the retailers closing stores in some areas are Gap, Home Depot, Talbot's, Cache, Footlocker, The Disney Store, etc. This is something you want to keep in mind when you are shopping for Christmas because you are not going to want to invest money in a gift card for stores that will soon be going out of business. MDI Medical also wants to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving and drive safely as you are traveling to visit your families all across the U.S.

Jenna Williams
Administrative Assistant

Thanksgiving is only a few days away and one of the best parts is the turkey! Prepare the perfect turkey by following this recipe I found on ehow.com:

-When shopping for a turkey and thinking about size, estimate 1 pound per person. That's more than enough and will make guessing easier.

-After you've chosen your turkey, and it's close to Thanksgiving, you will need to thaw it (if it's frozen not fresh). Thaw it in the refrigerator. For every 5 pounds of turkey, it will take approximately one full day (24 hours) to thaw. So for example a 20 lb turkey will take 5 days to thaw.

-To prepare the turkey, remove the giblets that are usually in a small bag from inside the turkey. If you're are stuffing the bird, right before roasting begin to loosely spoon the stuffing mixture inside the turkey. Don't over pack it, because it needs to reach a safe temperature for eating by the time the turkey is cooked.

-To tie the turkey, take a long needle and sew the opening shut with kitchen string. Then, tuck the drumsticks under skin near the tail and tie it around the "ankles". Put the wingtips under the back of the turkey. Place the turkey in a roasting pan breast side up.

- Seasoining- Take a bowl and add some olive oil and a couple of packets of Goya Sazon. Then add a couple of shakes of Goya Adobo. Then spread this with your hands all over the bird. The turkey will come out a beautiful golden color and the skin will be very tasty!

-6Preheat the oven to 325 degrees and place turkey in the oven. For a small turkey (8-14 lbs) cook it for 3-4 hours. Medium sized (14-20 lbs) it will take 4-5 hours.

So, no matter if you're spending Thanksgiving away from home on your Travel Therapy Jobs or if you're taking time off of your Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy and Physical Therapy Jobs to travel, you can enjoy the perfect turkey!

Happy Thanksgiving,
Brittany Walden
Receptionist
MDI Medical

Attention all traveling physical therapist, speech language pathologist, and occupational therapist, here are 10 tips to help avoid the winter cold and flu.  

1. Bar soap is a perfect breeding ground for viruses and bacteria. Wash your hands frequently with liquid antibacterial soap instead of bar soap.

2. Don't share drinking glasses. Instead, use disposable cups in the kitchen and bathroom, using each cup only once and then disposing.

3. Use disposable tissues when blowing your nose; use each tissue once, throw it away then wash your hands thoroughly.

4. Colds and flu are often spread by hand-to-hand contact. Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth after being exposed to viruses or bacteria.

5. Bacteria and viruses can live on hand towels and sponges for hours. Use disposable paper napkins and towels in the kitchen.

6. To kill bacteria and viruses, wash toys regularly in warm, soapy water.

7. If you have to sneeze and a tissue is unavailable, sneeze into your shoulder not your hands to avoid spreading germs.

8. Frequently clean surfaces such as stair rails, telephones, counter tops and doorknobs to avoid hand-to-hand spread of viruses.

9. Germs remain in stagnant air; open windows when weather permits to circulate fresh air.

10. Avoid smoking at home. Smoking is a respiratory irritant that increases susceptibility to viruses that cause colds and the flu.

Contact me Quincey Adger, at MDI Medical, Cirrus Allied Staffing.


http://aids.about.com/od/howtostayhealthy/qt/avoid.htm

This blog isn’t just for my physical, occupational, and speech therapists out there, but for all of us in the working world who get caught up in the hustle and bustle of a busy week. It’s effortless to get bogged down at work, to think negatively about getting that next travel assignment, or even to bring a hard day at work home with you and not seem to shake it off. I’ve researched some information on how to get our brains trained to think more positively and posses that happy state of mind. Physical, occupational, and speech therapists have been professionally educated on how to train their patients on techniques for motor functions, mobility, and fluency in communication; let’s do something for ourselves and train our minds into a happier/healthier mentality.


Thanks to the article "10 Tips for Positive Thinking - Tips for a Happier and Healthier Frame of Mind" at EzineArticles.com I have some great information to share with you:
 

1. Recognize negative thoughts as they take shape and bury them before they take root. If you feel your mood darkening again, put a stop to these dangerous musings before you succumb to them. Rule your emotions, don’t let your emotions rule you.

2. Hang out with people who think positive as well. This condition can be quite infectious.

3. Just as contagious is a negative mindset. So avoid people who tend to think negatively on a constant basis. After all, who wants to hang around naysayers all the time?

4. Work out and eat right. If you look good on the outside, it’ll be easier to feel good on the inside, too.

5. De-clutter. Surround yourself only with the things you love and that make you feel good—framed family photos, favorite books, potted plants, works of art, or whatever else that’s meaningful to you.

6. If people tell you that you can’t do something, take that as a challenge and prove them wrong. Chances are, they themselves can’t do it or are too afraid to try and are simply bitter about it. If you show them it can be done after all, maybe they’ll even be inspired by your success. You can be a living tip for positive thinking to them.

7. Just when you’re about to blow your top for all the seeming misfortunes that befall you, remind yourself of all your blessings instead. This practice can be very sobering, indeed.

8. Be a volunteer or get involved in charity work. Not only will you realize the sheer number of people who have bigger problems than you do, but there is also such an emotional and even spiritual high to be experienced in helping others.

9. De-stress. You’re more likely to be cranky if you’re perpetually stressed out. So get away from it all and recharge.

10. Keep it up. Getting started is easy. It’s the maintenance that’s tricky. Make a habit out of thinking positively till it becomes an indelible part of who you are.



Ashley Iero

Account Manager

MDI Medical- Cirrus Allied Staffing

Concord, MA is another historic city in the New England area.  It’s another perfect place for Allied Therapy Jobs.  If you’re a history buff, Concord would be a great place to work.  The Battle of Lexington and Concord were the initial battles in the Revolutionary War.  The city was also the location of Paul Revere’s ride where he alerted the citizens that the “British were coming!”

 

The city is also rich in literary history as well.  Concord was home to the great writer, Ralph Waldo Emerson.  There are many museums and sights to appreciate in the city.  The New England area is full of many activities.  Historical Boston, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island are just a hop, skip and a jump away.  So if you’re interested in learning more about how our great country came to be, come on over to Concord for some great Allied Therapy jobs.  Check back for more information on other great cities.  Until then…Safe travels!

 

Juan Soto

Recruiter.

Hello all,

I wanted to take this time to give a little more insight on time off/pay during this upcoming holiday season.  Most clients base holiday days off on what the facility itself counts as a holiday.  Of course, we can't pay and bill for time not in the facility, so make sure if there are upcoming possibilities on days off, that you speak to your manager about make up time.  Usually, the managers will see if the permanent staff is able or willing to work first, but will get with the travelers quickly thereafter to see how the schedule and patients will be covered.  Most of the time, the manager will be sensitive to time off but they also dont want to leave their patients in a lurch.  So let your recruiter know the moment you work out the schedule and we'll make sure to relay to the payroll department.  It's a great time to get some extra hours/pay in for those upcoming holiday gifts! 

Until then, happy travels.

Tom Hidock

I live in apartment, like most of you on Travel Therapy Jobs.  There are times when I want to workout, but just don't feel like going to the gym or paying for a gym membership.  So, I found some tips on how to get in shape without leaving your apartment from ehow.com

1) Buy free weights or a resistance band instead of a workout machine.  They take up less room and are just as effective.
2) Learn how to "shadow box"...it's a great cardiovascular exercise and doesn't require any equipment.
3) Hang a pull up bar on the back of a door or a free wall.  They take up very little space and give your entire upperbody a good workout.
4) Jump rope. Great for cardio!

Try out these tips when you get home from your PT Jobs, OT Jobs and SLP Jobs to stay in shape during the holiday season!

Brittany Walden
Receptionist