Now that we've discussed how to make sure your agency is finding the right jobs for you, it's time to discuss the next step - your phone interview. I've seen facilities that sounded great on paper turn into a nightmare on the interview, and I've seen facilities that didn't seem exciting turn out to be a great fit once the rehab manager spoke with the traveling therapist.

In your travel therapy career, you will probably speak to a lot of managers for phone interviews. This is essentially your only insight into what is waiting for you on this potential assignment, so it's definitely an important part of your job search. Here are a few things to keep in mind when interviewing for an assignment.

Don't worry about the insurance, compensation, or logistics of getting you there. Your agency is being paid by this facility to take that hassle out of the facility's search for a therapist, so most managers will not be able to give you information about the final contract if things look good. These phone interviews allow you to get an idea of the clinical aspect of the facility, your agency will be able to answer compensation questions once you have decided that this assignment is a good fit.

Ask everything, and then some!
A facility's website (or your agency) can tell you how many beds there are, what types of patients they see, and loads of general information about the hospital/snf/clinic. If you only get the basics, it would be like going to a used car dealership and having a salesman tell you he has a red car for ten thousand dollars. Everyone knows that they wouldn't buy that car unless they had more info, approach your interview in the same way. Ask them how many therapists they have on staff, why do they need a traveler? If the facility is a SNF, ask them what the productivity expectations are. Also, make sure you understand what will be required of you as you start the assignment. Does the facility have a dress code? Does the rehab manager expect you to work weekends? What is the parking situation for the facility? The simplest questions can help you get a much better idea of what to expect, and it helps you to get to know your future manager in the process! The best plan for your interview is to write down several questions that are important to you, and make sure you get the answers you need.

Ask your agency if you can do a conference interview with your recruiter and the rehab manager.
Your recruiter is your teammate in your job search, so having him or her in your corner during the phone interview can be very valuable. If you have worked with your recruiter on several assignments, chances are he or she knows what motivates you. Also, it's great to have someone on the line to help you remember to ask something you may have forgotten during the conversation. Most agency Representatives will not be involved with the clinical discussion, (we aren't clinicians ourselves, so we can't offer much help there) but we can help you in remembering smaller details or asking for clarification on some questions you may have. It is also the fastest way to keep everyone in the loop after the interview. If things went well, we can start preparing to make an offer, if they didn't, we can keep looking immediately.

Get a plan together with the rehab manager to follow up should you have more questions.
If you're not feeling satisfied with the interview, see if you can schedule another time to talk so you can ask more questions. Most rehab managers will be happy to take a little extra time out for you if you feel you need more info about his or her department. These managers are looking for a physical therapist that can maintain the quality of patient care the facility is known for, so they want to make sure you are comfortable with the facility.

Finally, what I think is the most important - Do not accept or decline the position during the phone interview.
The only reason I say this will really help is it will allow you to have a no-pressure interview that will keep you and the manager focused on what's important. Your agency will gladly decline or accept a position on your behalf after the interview, which will allow you to worry less about the manager's reaction and more about finding a good fit.

Using these tips for your phone interview will help you get a better idea of what you're looking at for your next physical therapy travel assignment. Once you have a good plan before and after the interview, you will have a much higher chance of weeding out the facilities that would not be a good fit for you.

Happy Hunting!