Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech Therapy jobs are in high demand right now!!  Getting an interview is only half the battle.  Impressing your prospective Rehab Therapy bosses and colleagues is the part of the war you HAVE to win.  Here are 5 tips to get you noticed (in a good way) during a phone interview:

1. Be confident, not arrogant!

2. Be 100% honest, remember there is no such thing as a little white lie!

3.  Be passive-aggressive, not aggressive-passive!

4. Time can be your enemy, but it can also be your best friend!

5. ALWAYS be available when you say you will, first impressions DO count!

For these and other tips, or if you are in the market for a Speech Therapy, Occupational Therapy, or Physical Therapy opportunity...then please contact me ASAP!

Allison Asher
1-866-518-1750 x 2311
aasher@mdimedical.com

When considering a new position in Rehab Therapy, remember that $$$ is not the only thing to consider.  There are many choices of companies to choose from when considering new Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, or Speech Language Pathology opportunities.

Some of the exclusive benefits include:
-BCBS Insurance
-Loyalty Rewards
-PTO
-CUE Reimbursements
-Rehabilitation Therapy focused; Specializes in Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech Therapy
-Unique Client relationships
-Knowledgeable Recruiters available at all times

My advice is to list the pros and cons of everything that's important to you!  Remember, money does not make the world go round!

Allison Asher
678-993-2311
aasher@mdimedical.com

I have several Rehab Jobs for Physical Therapists, Physical Therapy Assistants, and Occupational Therapists throughout the state of WA!!

Physical Therapists - Kirkland and Richland
Physical Therapist Assistants - Whidbey Island, Kirkland, Lynwood, and Spokane
Occupational Therapists - Richland, Kennewick, Marysville, Mount Vernon, Federal Way, and Kirkland

We staff all Rehab Therapy Jobs nationwide; so if there is something that you are looking for specifically, don't be afraid to ask....

Allison Asher
Recruiting Specialist
1-866-518-1750 x 2311

In order to be considered for any Rehab job, no matter the type - Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, or Speech Language Pathology...you have to be licensed.  If you are thinking about practicing in another state, you must complete that process before applying!

We as recruiters, are here to help you in any way possible.  We want you to succeed, and become the Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist, or Speech Language Pathologist, you want to become.  You have to do your part, in order for us to do ours!  Any questions, or comments, please feel free to contact me.

Allison Asher
Recruiting Specialist, MDI Medical
1-866-518-1750 x 2311 

Looking for a Rehab Job???  Speech Therapy has grown dramatically in the past few months.  I have positions all over the United States - AZ, NE, NC, SC, VA, TX, IL, OH, PA, and FL. 

If you are in the market for a new travel opportunity, and have your CCC's, then contact me ASAP to discuss Speech Therapy openings!!  We provide housing, or a housing stipend, per diem, and an auto allowance.  We also staff for Physical and Occupational Therapists, as well.  Hello, what are you waiting for???  Contact me today!

Allison Asher
Recruiting Specialist, MDI Medical
1-866-518-1750 x 2311 

Are you a Physical Therapist looking for a travel Rehab job in Washington? 

I have several positions that have just become available in Yakima, Gig Harbor, Richland, Spokane, and Sedro-Wooley.  I have all settings, as well as well caseloads available!  If you're not a Physical Therapist, don't worry!  I have several other Rehab Jobs available too  -- Occupational Therapy and Speech Language Pathology.  If you are interested or know of someone who is, please contact me asap! 

Don't forget that for all referrals placed in a Rehab Jobs - you will receive $500.00 cash!

Allison Asher
Recruiting Specialist, MDI Medical
1-866-518-1750 x 2311 

Tired of low paying travel therapy jobs?  Sick of getting 30 day outed?  MDI Medical is now the sole owner of one of the largest home health contracts in the country!   Each week, we connect with their area managers and get updated Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapy contract and travel needs that are brand new and exclusive to us.  It’s just like a normal 13 week travel contract; we guarantee the opportunity for a 40 hour work week for you and not on a case by case basis as you normally would.  That ensures that you have enough patient caseload for the entire week, making full rates and no deductions a definite possibility.  We are also able to roll the mileage/drive time into the overall package itself, meaning we can allocate it in more ways than just mileage and you won’t have to log in and out every time you get into your vehicle.  This client has so many “home base” facilities in the country, that it may make having to go to a slow paced SNF “just to take a job” in an area you want to be in, a thing of the past.  Once the interview process begins, you’ll be surprised at the flexibility and information you receive, from open schedules to assistance with maps/directions in the area.   Another great way to keep your options open in the field of Travel Rehab Jobs! 

Until next time, safe travels!

Tom

I don't know if I can stress this enough.  Rehab Therapy is a growing need in the healthcare industry.  There are a number of agencies that recruit for Allied Health Jobs, be sure that you pick one you trust. 

Physical and Occupational Therapy(s) are always lucrative, but Speech Therapy...has declined.  It seems as if now there are more Speech Therapists than Speech Therapy jobs.  So all you Speech Language Pathologists out there, be patient, your job will come!

Know your recruiter!  If a Rehab Job they presented you sounds too good to be true, than get it in writing!  Finally, do not work with every Rehab Recruiter that contacts you.  You don't want your resume flooding the market.   

Any further questions or comments on finding the perfect Rehab Therapy Job, contact me at 1-866-1750 ext 2311.

...you must have an excellent rapport with your recruiter!  It is imperative that good communication, trust, and efficiency are present -- by both parties!  Everyone involved wants to be successful, so come therapists...let's do your part!  Have a great weekend!

Colorado, Florida, and Southern California are the top choices for travelers these days.  If you are a Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist, or a Speech Language Pathologist, chances are you have probably considered at least one of these states. 

Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech Language Pathology are growing in demand all over the United States.  Why not consider Texas, Illinois, the Carolina's, or even Alaska for your next travel assignment?

Just remember Rehab Therapy is a booming industry.  Why not broaden your horizons, and think of the new adventures to come!  I'll be waiting for your call...

Allison Asher
Recruiting Specialist, MDI Medical
1-866-518-1750 x 2311 

Happy New Year!!

This going to be a great year!  I can feel it!  It's going to be an even better year for Rehabilitation Therapy.  Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, and Speech Language Pathologists are in great demand right now all over the country.   I have several different Rehabilitation jobs in all settings currently available with immediate start dates. 

Not licensed in a particular state?  No worries, MDI Medical will reimburse you for board certification or licensure.  That is just one of the rewards for working with MDI Medical.  We also offer an excellent benefits package, which is available on your first day of employment, anniversary AND loyalty rewards, as well as the confidence in knowing that you are receiving the best service from experienced staff who are available anytime.  What are you waiting for???

If you interested, and would like to speak with me directly about the different careers in Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, and Speech Language Pathology, then contact me today.

Allison Asher
Recruiting Specialist, MDI Medical
1-866-518-1750 x 2311

Extra $$$ for the holidays???  Think Rehab Therapy Jobs!!!

I know everybody has the holidays in mind...but what about after the holidays???  Dinner, lights, caroling..."Oh what fun it is to ride," sorry, I got a little carried away there.  Unfortunately, with the arrival of the New Year will come the arrival of new bills!  Don't panic, I've got the solution to make opening up your credit card statements a little less painful.  

The medical field is booming, and Rehabilitation Therapy is leading the pack!  There is a huge demand for Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, and Speech Language Pathologists!  I have job opportunities all over the country in every state.  If you are interested, or know someone who is, then you can contact me at 1-866-518-1750 x 2311. 

FYI, MDI MEDICAL offers a $500 referral bonus for anyone who gives us the contact information for therapists who then signs on with us for a travel contract!

I hope everyone has a safe, and happy holiday! :)

Allison Asher
Recruiting Specialist, MDI Medical
1-866-518-1750 x 2311

Are you a PT OT SLP that is ready for a change?  We are.  MDI MEDICAL is excited for the New Year.  Look for our new company name, Cirrus Allied Staffing.  Christmas is here  and most Therapists will be off for 2 days.  Don’t let the Holidays stress you out - make sure you relax while you have the time to.  MDI Medical knows as Rehab therapists you are committed to patient care, and it can be stressful for a therapist to take time off from work.  Physical, Occupational, and Speech Therapists can benefit from the luxury of contract work.  As a traveler you have the opportunity to design your own schedule.  Time off in-between assignments will give you the chance to recharge in this fast paced environment.  MDI Medical has professional recruiters that will help design the ideal schedule for you.  Have a great Holiday! We are looking forward to hearing from you in the New Year.

Joseph Carlino
Senior Account Manager
MDI MEDICAL, a Cirrus Company
678 - 518 - 1750

Hello all,

I wanted to take a minute to talk about locations and times of the year for travel therapy jobs.  Winter is on its way and that means everyone is trying to head south, or west for that matter, to stay warm.  Unfortunately, that creates a glut in certain areas (hello Florida!!) for these needs.  Savvy travelers know what to do when this happens: head up north where the BONUSES are!!  Not to say there won't be needs in the south, but you'll have a better chance at BIG MONEY if you'll consider some "out of the way states" like Michigan or Wisconsin.  Try it out, it's only 13 weeks and you'd be surprised to see how full your wallet will be after it's over. 

Until next time, safe travels. 

Tom Hidock
Senior Recruiter

Like many of you out there in the health care field, MDI Medical works closely with nursing homes across the country. With that in mind, I came across a news story that I wanted to share with you all to help raise awareness for an ongoing problem with the nursing home system in the States.

On Monday, Daniel Levingston, the inspector general of the Department of Health and Human Services, released a report stating that more than 90% of nursing homes in the United States were cited for violations of federal health and safety standards in 2007. Of the cited homes, the investigators concluded that for-profit homes are more likely to have problems than any other type of nursing homes.

Of the homes mentioned in the report, almost 20% of homes had violations that cased "actual harm or immediate jeopardy" to their patients. What is the cause of these problems? According to Levingston, a lack of staff coupled with a lack of staff with clinical knowledge to serve the nursing home residents.

Another point of major concern, especially for all of you traveling physical therapists, traveling occupational therapists, and speech therapy travelers, is that the inspector general stated that there were multiple cases in which homes billed Medicare and Medicaid for services that in his words "were not provided, or were so wholly deficient that they amounted to no care at all."

In December, the current administration plans on implementing a five-star system to describe the overall quality of nursing home care at US nursing homes. The best will get five, the worst will receive a one-star rating. Consumers, health care professionals, and patients' families will be able to review homes on a federal website.

Working as a physical therapy traveler (or occupational therapy, speech pathology, or assistant for that matter) in a SNF, keep your eyes open for possible violations at your facility. Remember that these patients are your responsibility even if you are following protocol with your treatments. If you notice anything that could be a potential violation or unethical behavior in the facility you are working in, call your recruiter or staffing agency immediately. Many times, these behaviors go unnoticed by management until brought to their attention, be sure to do your part to improve the overall quality of life for these patients. Rehab jobs will constantly be in need in this market, so it is important to help these homes maintain a high standard of patient care. The less homes available for the growing number of patients out there, the harder it will be to maintain a high quality standard.

This morning I decided to head over to the Bureau of Labor Statistics to take a quick look at their projections for the fastest growing professions in the United States. Without much surprise to anyone, physical therapists and physical therapy assistants are still holding strong in this list. According to the statistics, which measured projected job market growth between 2006 and 2016, the number of physical therapists employed in the US will grow by 27.1%. Physical therapy assistants will see similar (and slightly larger) growth at a 32.4% projected increase.

Over the next 5 to 10 years, it looks as though demand is going to keep climbing for physical and occupational therapy. One of the many reasons agencies are becoming so prevalent in this market is because of this growth. My advice: take advantage of your occupation's 'rock star' status and work hard to find a position and company that works for you. Be very careful while you're searching, the increase in therapy needs has also brought about a lot of small companies that are looking to make money on a market they don't understand. When looking for a company to represent you, be sure you know that your company knows the market and this industry.

Okay, so I'm always trying to keep up with current news and trends when it comes to technology and I wanted to share this new product out of Japan with you all.

Working as a physical therapist or occupational therapist, I'm sure you deal with a lot of geriatric patients who have suffered hip injuries or injuries from a fall. Falls account for a large percentage of injuries when it comes to patients over the age of 65. Today, a company in Japan called Prop has unveiled a new product to help protect seniors and patients with epilepsy from fall-related injuries.

The product is....well, it's simply an airbag for your body. That's right, the same technology that protects you in an auto accident might one day be worn around your waist like a belt. Sensors inside the fanny-pack-esque belt detect a sudden fall and deploy the airbags to protect the hips and head of the wearer.

Although the idea might seem silly, think about the number of patients you see daily that are physical and occupational therapy cadidates that have had to alter their lifestyle due to a broken hip or other fall-related injury. I couldn't find a video of the product in motion, but I was able to find this picture. Do you think this has potential to catch on here in the states, or could this be another example of overzealous technoligical advances from Japan?

Like millions of Americans throughout this country, I am all too familiar with Alzheimer's disease. Having lost a grandfather to the disease in my teens and supporting another recently diagnosed family member, I know the struggles that families face with an Alzheimer's disease diagnosis. While doing research for Alzheimer's-related therapy trends to share with the physical therapists and occupational therapists that frequent my blog, I came across several articles discussing a potentially world-changing breakthrough in Alzheimer's treatment. Here is a video of a patient undergoing this treatment. I figured the best way to explain this therapy and how it works is to show this videotaped session before we get down to the science. Put your nerd glasses on, it's going to be a bumpy ride! The drug in this study is called entanercept, it is actually a drug created for the treatment of arthritus. The pilot study of this treatment was facilitated at UCLA with an inital 15 patients. After 6 months, all patients showed improvements with AD symptoms. In 10 of the initial 15 patients, scientists noted that the drug's benefits took hold within a matter of minutes. Without getting into serious detail, the drug works by relieving brain inflammation, which is brought on by a surplus of a chemical called tumour necrosis factor-alpha, or TNF alpha in the brains of AD patients. This same chemical is responsible for arthritus when found in the joints of an arthritic patient. Through injecting this arthritus drug into the spine of AD patients, scientists have seen a dramatic effect as the drug starts to battle the TNF alpha surplus in the patient's brain. Once the inflammation reduces, (in some cases this could be in as little as 10 minutes) patients have been able to recognize family members, regain awareness of surroundings, and even complete basic cognative tests which they had previously been unable to do. While there is still much work and research to be done, this drug could be the start of a HUGE breakthrough for Alzeheimer's patients and their families. I know this article doesn't have a lot of information regarding physical and occupational therapy, but I thought this was definitely worth sharing with anyone who has come face to face with AD patients.

On any given weekday, I probably speak with anywhere from two to twenty physical therapists in my efforts to match candidates with our current physical therapy jobs. We all know what a physical therapist does in their day to day activities, I wanted to take a moment to give everyone a lesson on the history of physical therapy. For help with this blog, I've turned to my good friend and occasionally accurate research partner, wikipedia.org.

According to the wikipedia entry for physical therapy, some of the first known practicioners of physical therapy were practicing around 460 BC. These practicioners (with such superstars among them as Hippocrates and Hector) used hydrotherapy and massage in their treatments.

The earliest documented professional physical therapy group was called the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, and was formed by a group of four English nurses in 1894. After the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy, many groups in various countries started forming physical therapy groups and educational programs.  

By 1911, Reed College in Portland, OR started graduating students as "Reconstruction Aides," which were America's first physical therapy professionals. Throughout the 40s and 50s, physical therapy grew by leaps and bounds (pardon the pun) and started to break out of the traditional hospital setting and into a new arena of practice known as orthopedics.

In 1974, specialization for physical therapy was finally brought about by the orthopedic section of the American Physical Therapy Association. Although physical therapy is relatively new on the scene when compared to other medical practices, we have seen an exponential grown in demand for this skillset. Whether you are working in a skilled nursing facility, outpatient clinic, or ICU, keep in mind that the services you provide as a staff therapist or physical therapist traveler are invaluable to the families of your patients.

From all of us here at MDI Medical, keep up the great work!