I have worked with a lot of Speech Language Pathologists since I have started placing traveling therapists her at MDI, and there are several things that every SLP should keep in mind while looking for an assignment. Typically, the market for speech language pathology jobs is weighted toward school-based SLP jobs and skilled nursing facilities. In some areas, we see hospital positions for SLP travelers, but there are things you need to keep in mind if you're looking for your next assignment in a hospital.
Most acute care hospitals require an SLP that is familiar with MBS. MBS, or Modified Barium Swallow, is a technique that many of our acute care hospital assignments utilize on a daily basis. If you do not have experience with MBS, help your recruiter represent you properly by letting him or her know what skills you have that are similar such as other swallowing studies) or how much experience you have observing MBS if you don't have much hands-on time with them.
Another skill you can gain major points for having while looking for travel therapy jobs is experience with Vital Stim. If you have a lot of experience with Vital Stim, you will have a better chance at landing that clinical position.
I understand a lot of SLP travelers out there work in the school systems during the winter and pick up assignments for the summer breaks. Keep these requirements in mind next time you're looking for your next speech therapy job, they could save you a lot of time in the long run.
Getting to HI is expensive: Most companies offer some sort of travel reimbursement for your assignments, these reimbursements are typically factored into the budget for the position itself, so a physical therapist driving 2 hrs for a position could make more per hour with a smaller travel reimbursement than a physical therapist driving across the country. What typically happens with a position in HI is the cost of airfare has a huge impact on the amount agencies are able to pay you. Keep this airfare in mind when speaking with your recruiter, a round trip ticket to HI could cost over $1000 dollars depending on your situation.
Housing is also very expensive: The housing market in HI is a vacation home market, and land is not cheap. Land costs of over $80,000 an acre are not unheard of in the state. With that in mind, a small one bedroom apartment that would typically be 700-1000 dollars in the mainland could be two to three thousand dollars per month in HI. As with your travel reimbursement, this housing cost will have an impact on your wages.
The cost of living in HI is going up: I was watching a report on CNN today regarding the current energy crisis. Hawaiians import all of their food from the mainland United States, and with the soaring fuel prices, the cost of everyday items are increasing. Expect to see prices in excess of $5 for a loaf of bread, $4 for a half a gallon of milk, and $5 dollars a pound for tomatoes.
When you see a posting for travel assignments in HI, be sure to speak with your recruiter about the realities of the financial situation you will be in. Keep in mind that with the high costs of logistics for your assignment, it will be very hard to offer you a competitive rate. I've seen therapists take large pay cuts in their hourly rate just to have the chance.So be sure to weigh the benefits and drawbacks of this travel assignment in paradise before you sign on the dotted line.
As of today, this bill currently has 11 co-sponsors and is being supported by the AHA. From what I've discovered on www.opencongress.org, it seems this bill has not yet had a chance to be voted on by the House of Representatives.
Although it has a long way to go, this bill could be a great development in the world of physical therapy and nursing. The shortage is a major issue nationwide, and some new visas for these in-demand professions could help ease the pinch on a lot of hospitals and nursing homes.
If you would like to see more movement on this bill, contact your district's representative and let him or her know that H.R. 5924 is important to you. Here is the website to track down the representative for your district. https://forms.house.gov/wyr/welcome.shtml
What sets HipSavers apart is the fact that the Journal Of the American Medical Directors Association did a study on HipSavers and found that they reduced fall-related hip injuries in this particular study by 80%.
If you're a traveling physical therapist, (or traveling occupational therapist for that matter) working in a skilled nursing facility, you don't need my blog to tell you that falls are a huge problem for the geriatric patients. Next time you're looking at potential travel physical therapy jobs, find out if the facility you are speaking with has a hip protection program in place. If not, perhaps you can suggest a product like HipSaver to increase the results of this program/start a new program.
Company website: www.hipsaver.com
"Congress failed this week to advance legislation to protect patients and health care providers. Only 12 days remain until Medicare payments are scheduled to be cut by more than 10% and the exceptions process that prevents beneficiaries from having their therapy services capped will expire. Senate Democratic and Republican leaders are struggling to reach a compromise after a procedural vote blocked debate last week. Senate Democrats are talking with colleagues in the House of Representatives on possible alternatives for moving legislation to prevent payment cuts and expiration of the therapy cap exceptions process on July 1.
It is critical for members of Congress to hear now from APTA members and their patients that legislation must be passed next week to prevent disruptions in patient care. Use the "Stop the Cap" Resource Center to contact your legislators and inform your patients.
Even if Congress acts before July 1, it is possible that the processing of some Medicare claims could be temporarily affected by payment cuts or therapy cap denials. Physical therapists should prepare now for possible disruption of Medicare claims processing on and after July 1 and consider how to adjust their practices if payment cuts and caps on services go into effect. APTA's "Resources for Overcoming Practice and Reimbursement Challenges" Web page offers members guidance on possible practice adjustments."
(Source - The American Physical Therapy Association)
What does this article mean for you? I would love to hear your feedback on this development and the effect it might have on your current situation if you ware working in a facility with a lot of part A and B patients.
On the staffing side of the business, we have seen the rise of the part B cap and the effect it has had on open travel therapy jobs. A lot of physical therapists and physical therapy assistants had to look much harder for positions after the initial part B cap, do you see this as a continuation of the decline from Medicare or an oversight by Congress that will be cleared up soon?
I would love to hear your opinions on this article, we will be following this story closely.
It's a new week, so it's time to take a look at some of our newest travel physical therapy jobs.
If you see something you like here, feel free to drop me a line and we'll be happy to give you more info on any of these jobs.
- Physical Therapist needed for an inpatient/outpatient assignment in Macon, GA.
- Physical Therapist needed for a hospital-based outpatient assignment in the heart of Chicago, IL!
- Physical Therapist needed for a hospital assignment in the Sarasota area of Florida!
- Traveling physical therapist needed for an outpatient hospital position in a prestigious hospital in Baltimore, MD
1. Additives, magnets, plastic rings, pills for your gas tank, etc. - THESE DO NOT WORK.
With the increase of gas prices across the country, we have also seen an increase in companies offering a miracle item to increase your vehicle's miles per gallon. The EPA and Consumer Reports magazine have extensively tested these gas economy wonder-products and concluded that in almost every case, there were no noticeable increases in fuel efficiency.
Luke's Tip: If you have an older car, have the fuel system flushed and the fuel injectors cleaned. Although it will be a little more expensive the a few bottles of the convenience store injector cleaner, you will save much more in gas in the long run.
2. Rolling down your windows causes your car to use more gas/Using the air conditioner uses more gas. -
First, let's start with rolling down your windows to save gas. The myth states that driving with your windows down creates more drag on your car, thus decreasing fuel efficiency. The popular show Mythbusters took this urban legend to task and found that there is no marginal decrease in fuel economy. Consumer Reports and the website Edmunds.com did similar studies, and they have come to the same conclusion as well.
Next, let's talk about your A/C, because I have some great news for you if you live in the south. Air conditioning, while it does draw power away from your car's engine, has an almost unnoticeable effect on miles per gallon. This fact has been tested and proven by Mythbusters, Consumer Reports, and Edmunds.com. What they found was at the most, you could see one less mile per gallon with the A/C on full blast. If you are on the highway, you most likely will not notice the difference at all.
Luke's Tip: While you're on your way to your next travel assignment, it might be a good idea to use your A/C for comfort on the highway and switch to windows down in town if you absolutely MUST stretch those pennies. Saving More on the trip to travel therapy jobs will mean more money to take home.
3. Turning your engine off during long standstill periods saves gas.
This myth is actually the only one I have found that is true. Before cars were equipped with fuel injector systems, a lot of gas would be used in the starting of an engine. This is no longer true, your car actually uses less gas on the start up than it would if you were parked with the car running for 30 seconds or more. If you catch yourself sitting still for an extended period of time, turning the engine off could save you a few dollars before your next fill-up.
Now that we have a little more info at our disposal regarding fuel efficiency, you can know that you're making the right choice when picking a location for the next round of travel therapy jobs.
As you are all aware, there are more and more companies getting into the realm of physical and occupational therapy, and as more companies post pt jobs, slp jobs, and ot jobs, the more careful you have to be in researching opportunities.
The topic I wanted to discuss with you today is the ever familiar 'bait and switch' tactic. There was once a time in the consumer market where baiting and switching was seen as a clever sales tactic. For example, an electronics store would offer a sale on an expensive item, like a 400 dollar camera for 100 dollars. Whenever customers would show up at the store, they would find out that the store just ran out of those items. However, the stores always seemed to have a similar item in stock for only 299. We don't see this tactic used as much in the consumer market anymore due to consumer protection laws in many states.
Over the past two years in this market, I have seen a flood of smaller companies jumping into the mix to fill allied health jobs. One of the tactics these fly by nights are using is the bait and switch job postings.
I have to choose my words carefully to make sure I'm being clear, in this market, jobs open and close daily and it's hard for a company to keep a detailed list of openings regardless of their size. If you do contact a company regarding one of their rehab jobs, keep in mind that there is always a chance that job will be filled. How can you tell the difference? Here are some guidelines to follow:
Look at the number of postings and the locations given. If a company is posting 40 Speech Language Pathology Jobs in Chicago, IL, there's a good chance they have several needs in the state, but 40 openings for travelers seems a little high. Also, be weary of postings that list "All Cities In (State)." Common sense will tell you that they will not have a job in every city you can name off.
If you do call into a company in order to respond to a job posting, pay attention to how they are responding to your interest. If a company is immediately telling you the job is closed and pushing you to take something in the same state, proceed with caution. If the company is taking the time out to confirm the job and find out more about what you're looking for, it should tell you this company is sincerely trying to look out for your best interests.
Be wary of the bait and switch tactic while you're researching allied health jobs, if a company is pressuring you into something that doesn't feel right, be prepared to take a step back to catch your breath, good companies don't sell bodies, they place people.
The Nintendo Wii, which you can pick up for around $250, has had a great impact on nursing homes across the country. Nintendo's philosophy in creating this new gaming console was to make game play easier, more interactive, and more physical. This is a perfect combination for skilled nursing caseloads.
If you are working in a facility that needs a change, this could be a great chance improve the quality of leisure time for the residents. Nintendo Wii offers a wide variety of easy to learn sports games such as tennis, golf, baseball, and boxing. The great thing about these games are most of the controls can be performed sitting or standing, so even wheelchair-bound patients can move those arms to break a sweat. This is a perfect activity for a patient in need of physical and occupational therapy.
The greatest thing about the news story on the Nintendo Wii was noticing that the residents of the nursing home CNN visited were all smiling.
Pennsylvania - When you think of the state of PA, the first thing that comes to mind is either Pittsburgh of Philly. While these are great cities, PA has a lot to offer for traveling physical therapists. Occupational therapy jobs are not as common in PA due to a large OT school in the state. However, central PA has several bonus positions (5000 for an assignment is common) of traveling PTs.
Texas - If you're considering a trip to longhorn country, think about your location. Southern TX is BOOMING right now with top dollar positions. Areas at the southernmost tip of TX and along the Mexican border are constantly looking for help. As with most areas across the country, physical therapy jobs are the most common, however, OT, SLP, and assistant jobs are here as well. Being close to the border offers you some great tourism opportunities, and most of the locations we have are a short drive to the beach!
Montana - Travel therapy jobs in MT are always highly competitive with the market. If you love the outdoors, MT is the perfect place for you. Physical therapists command top dollar in locations throughout the state. Occupational and speech therapists can also find great assignments in some of the larger towns. Whether it's whitewater rafting, hiking, skiing, camping, or any other outdoor activity, MT has lots of beautiful land to offer. Have some fun outside while making great pay!
Washington - Although Seattle will not be the highest paying location you can find int he Pacific northwest, the state of Washington has some great locations that offer excellent pay. Expect to see primarily physical therapy needs in the western half of the state, and physical and occupational therapy jobs in eastern WA. Washington's rich natural landscape offers a lot of great outdoor options, and the fishing is top notch! Whether you like fly fishing for rainbow trout or fishing the coastal surf, WA is an ideal destination!
These are just a few of the states that we are experiencing needs in. If you are interested in finding out more about these options, call me today!
Do you know the way to San Jose? San Jose, which means St. Joseph in Spanish, is the 3rd largest city in the state of California. Located just south of the San Fransisco Bay area, San Jose rests in the area of northern CA known as Silicone valley. Expect great weather year-round and some excellent attractions in this Northern CA city, here are a few things to check out.
What to do in San Jose
Monterey Bay Aquarium - Be sure to add the Monterey Bay Aquarium to your to do list if you're spending some time in San Jose. This huge facility is located right on the bay and features spectacular views both outside and in. Tickets are around 24 dollars, and for the summer, the Aquarium offers extended visiting hours.
The Napa Valley Wine Train - What trip to northern CA would be complete without a visit to wine country? Sign up for this 3 hour train journey through Napa valley and enjoy a freshly prepared dinner and great wines during your trip. Reservations required.
Where to Eat
Henry's Hi-Life - This top rated Mexican restaurant serves your basic run of Mexican fare. Expect plates piled high with generous portions of everything Henry's has to offer. Get there early, as this place fills up quick!
Stratta Grille & Bar - This landmark building in San Jose offers you the experience of casual yet refined American cuisine.
Jobs in San Jose
We are currently looking for a traveling physical therapist to help with an inpatient outpatient mix. Also, in some of the nearby towns, we need physical therapist travelers as well as traveling occupational therapists. Call me today if you'd like to find out more!
I will post a link to the article below, but I wanted to paraphrase the study's findings here for you. Basically, the study evaluated 12 patients who had undergone total knee arthroplasty. (TKA) What they found was that most of the patients the study evaluated had changed the way they move from a sitting position to a standing position because of the initial pain. After the muscles in the study's patients had improved, the patients were still leaning further forward to rise from a seated position. This poses a risk for many patients, as this method of standing makes a fall more likely.
Regarding the study's findings, Lynn Snyder-Mackler, PT, ScD, SCS, ATC, FAPTA, alumni professor in the University of Deleware's Department of Physical Therapy and a certified sports physical therapist said the following:
"Simply put, it was a learned movement pattern that could not be resolved without retraining by a physical therapist, usually beginning 4-6 weeks after surgery when weight can be put equally on both legs," (Source)
Keep your eyes peeled for more information on this study, I would love to hear your thoughts on this!
Baltimore, MD is the largest city in the state of MD, with a population of 2.6 million people. This independent city is home to a busy seaport, beautiful scenery, and affluent neighborhoods. Although Baltimore was founded as an industrial town, the economy in Baltimore has evolved into a service-oriented economy, with a hospital and University being the city's largest employer. (Sounds like good news for travelers so far!)
What to do in Baltimore
Sports - If you're a football fan, come check out a Raven's game or two, sure to be a great experience. If baseball if your game of choice, Baltimore is also home to the Baltimore Orioles.
The Babe Ruth Birthplace Museum - This national historic site is the actual birthplace of baseball giant Babe Ruth. See photos, videos, and other Ruth-related history.
Baltimore Ghost Tours - If you're looking for something out of the ordinary and a little on the spooky side, sign up for a haunted walking tour of Fell's Point, Mount Vernon, they even offer a haunted Pub Walk!
Where to Eat
Prime Rib - This classy steakhouse has recently been named Baltimore's most popular restaurant. Come prepared for live jazz, a dimly lit atmosphere, excellent prime rib (hence the name) and their famous bourbon bread pudding for dessert.
The Bicycle - Come to this colorfully decorated spot in south Baltimore to observe the Chefs doing what they do best in the Bicycle's open kitchen. They have a very diverse menu including seafood and vegetarian-friendly dishes. Expect lots of Mediterranean, South American, and Asian flavors. Be sure to get there early to get a seat outside!
The Jobs
Baltimore, MD is one of our busiest cities for traveling physical therapists. We constantly have needs in Baltimore due to our contracts with several major hospital systems in the area.
Currently we are looking for a physical therapist in a hospital based outpatient setting, an acute care hospital traveling physical therapist, and several physical therapy travelers to fill needs with our numerous skilled nursing clients throughout the city!
Our next city spotlight is the windy city, Chicago, IL!
Chicago is the largest city in IL as well as the largest city in the Midwest. With a population of over 3 million people in Chicago proper and almost 10 million in the Chicagoland area, this city is sure to have something for everyone!
Whether or not Chicago is called the windy city because of its weather is uncertain. It is noted that Chicago is not significantly windier than any other US city. Some people believe that the term windy city was coined as a metaphor for the populations propensity for bragging. Regardless of the origin, the name has stuck, and residents still love their windy city!
What to do in Chicago
I suppose the question should be "what ISN'T there to do in Chicago?"
Sports, Sports, and Sports! - whether you're a baseball, football, basketball, or hockey fan, Chicago has you covered. Between the Chicago Bears, Bulls, Cubs, White Sox, and Chicago Blackhawks, (hockey)
The Museum of Science and Industry - This is the largest science museum in the Western Hemisphere! Plan on spending a lot of time here, they have over 800 interactive exhibits including a U-505 submarine, a working coal mine, and and a Boeing 727!
The Art Institute of Chicago - If you're more into the artistic side of tourism, the Art Institute of Chicago has the largest collection of Impressionistic and Post-Impressionistic works aside from the Louvre in France.
Where to Eat
The Billy Goat Tavern - If you're a sports fan, perhaps you've heard of the Billy Goat Curse....if not, have you ever seen the Saturday night live skit with Jim Belushi. Belushi plays a short order cook who shouts "Cheeborger Cheeborger Cheeborger! No Cheeps Fries! No Pepsi Coke!" These Chicago mainstays all have the Billy Goat Tavern to thank. Bring your appetite for one of the best burgers (and dining experiences) in Chicago!
Sushi Samba Rio - If you're looking for a trendy night out on the city, (and some great sushi) don't pass this place up!
The Original Gino's East - This is one of Chicago's most famous pizzerias! Be sure to bring a sharpie when you go, Gino's encourages it's guests to graffiti the walls!
The Jobs
Hospital-based outpatient is the name of the game in Chicago right now. I have 3 to 4 outpatient slots for traveling physical therapists.
Also, I am showing a hospital-based Acute care position in the Chicagoland area, as well as several SNF and Sub-Acute openings! Call me today if you want to get to Chicago for the summer!
Austin, TX is the capital of the State of TX and is also home to the University of TX Longhorns. This location was also selected as the number 1 best big city in the "best places to live" edition of Money Magazine in 2006. Austin also holds the title of "Greenest city in the US" according to MSN. If you're into live music, Austin claims it is the live music capital of the world.
What to do in Austin
Live Music - I could name off countless music venues in the city to get you started, but chances are, you won't have trouble finding music here. Austin, TX is home to South by Southwest, one of the country's biggest independent music conferences.
Texas Capital - Of course, if you know anyone from TX they'll tell you that "everything's bigger in TX." This is true of the TX state capital building. This is the largest state Capital in the United States, only the biggest for the lone star state.
Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum - The name says it all, plan an afternoon here to take in some great TX history.
Where to Eat
Stubb's Bar B Que and Live Music - If you are a grilling fan, chances are you've seen Stubb's marinade on the shelves at your local Publix or Kroger. If you haven't had the chance to try it for yourself, why not just start at the source? This eatery boasts some great original marinades and sauces to give you a truly unique experience. While you're there, check their concert calendar, sometimes large touring acts take the stage at Stubb's for an intimate show.
Jeffrey's - If you're looking for something more exotic, check out Jeffrey's. To quote their website "Someone once asked me to describe Jeffrey's in a word - the first one that came to mind was 'alchemy.'" This small restaurant has an eclectic menu that should be as entertaining as it is filling.
Jobs in Austin
Austin has a very saturated market for travelers and local contractors, so positions in Austin are few and far between. Right now, I have an inpatient/outpatient mixed setting assignment open for a traveling physical therapist and a traveling occupational therapist. Call today for more details!
In this new blog series I am going to spotlight a different city that we are currently seeing travel needs in. I will list out a few positions that we do have as well as give you some info about the city to help you get to know it better.
Today's spotlight is Tucson, AZ
This city, home to the University of AZ and the second largest city in the state is one of the oldest cities in the United States, starting out as a native American village called Stook-zone meaning "water at the foot of black mountain.
The climate in Tucson varies, expect a bit of desert in the city, as well as some forest land in the nearby Santa Catalina mountains. Tucson stays pretty warm throughout the year, so it is a popular winter vacation destination due to the dry desert air and mild winters.
What to do in Tucson
Bird Cage Theater - This site has been preserved since 1881, and is a nationally known historic Old West Landmark. The Bird Cage Theater was the site of 16 gunfights and 26 killings during the wild west days. The attraction is open daily i f you want to get a taste of the old west culture. www.tombstoneaz.net
Kitt Peak National Observatory - This observatory houses the world's largest collection of optical telescopes. They also host a nightly stargazing event where you can use the visitor center's 16-inch telescope to explore the night sky. The program is limited to 20 people per night and they ask that you make a reservation well in advance. www.noao.edu
The Arizona Cardinals - If you're going to be in town between August and January, be sure to check out Tucson's NFL team, the Arizona Cardinals. www.azcardinals.com
Where to eat
Acacia at St. Phillips - This contemporary American menu features tastes of latin flavor, dishes from the pacific rim, as well as Tucson favorites handcrafted exclusively for local diners. They have an indoor/outdoor lounge that boasts a great happy hour, they are open from 11 to 11, reservations not required but appreciated. www.acaciatucson.com
Baggins - If you feel like something a little more portable, Baggins gourmet sandwiches have been a Tucson mainstay for the past 25 years. This local sandwich shop's motto is "Satisfaction in the Sack" is backed up by a menu that consists of 100% homemade items, even the chocolate chip cookie that comes with every order. www.bagginsgourmet.com
The Jobs
Tucson has a lot of needs right now for traveling physical therapists, here is a sample of our list.
1 PT needed for a mix of Outpatient and Wound Care
1 PT needed for a mix of Inpatient Rehab and Outpatient
1 PT needed for a mix of Acute care and Long-Term Care
Several PT skilled nursing needs.
Call us today to see if Tucson is right for you!
Winston-Salem, NC is a small twin city in the Western half of NC close to the Appalachian mountains. This location brings together the small town feel with the big city lifestyle, and tops it off with NC's famous southern hospitality.
What to do in Winston-Salem
God's Acre - I know this might seem a bit morbid for some of you, but God's acre is a historic cemetery in Winston-Salem. The first burial in God's Acre happened in 1771. Although it's not exactly a nightclub or amusement park, it's a great way to spend a peaceful afternoon while learning about the early inhabitants of this city.
The Tavern/Old Salem Tavern - This is a little confusing, so bear with me. The Tavern is a historical landmark in Winston-Salem that was once an actual tavern (built in 1816) to offer a hot meal and a cold drink to people passing through town. You have to purchase a pass to view the tavern.....NEXT DOOR, we have the Old Salem Tavern Restaurant, which you do not need a pass to visit, and they have an extensive menu to choose from.
Old Salem - The Tavern/Old Salem Tavern is located in a part of town known as Old Salem. Here you can see a lot of restored construction and some beautiful scenery.
Where to Eat
Celtic Cafe - Aside from the Old Salem Tavern, the Celtic Cafe is one of the other locations I have seen great reviews for. This Irish-inspired menu will allow you to cross the Atlantic for a taste of days gone by. Expect a reasonably priced meal and drink menu.
Jobs in Winston-Salem
Currently, MDI is looking for two traveling physical therapist. We have a need in a skilled nursing facility in the area, as well as a hospital-based acute/subacute setting. There is also a skilled nursing opening for a PTA traveler at this time, call us for more details!
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!
Cincinnati, OH rests in southern OH on the OH/KY border, and was one of the first American boom towns, expanding rapidly during the 19Th century despite being landlocked. It has also been called the first truly American city due to its location, as most coastal cities of the time were influenced by European culture.
Although Cincinnati's booming growth slowed by the end of the 19Th century, the city still has a lot of history and a lot to offer.
What to do in Cincinnati
Sports - If you're a baseball fan, you can check out the Cincinnati Reds, named for the first pro baseball team in the country. For you football fans, Cincinnati Bengals games are sure to be a great time.
The National Underground Railroad Freedom Center - This museum takes you behind the scenes and into the history books to celebrate the people who made the underground railroad possible.
The Contemporary Arts Center - This modern art museum hosts a wide variety of unique exhibits. Right now, you an check out American Idyll: Contemporary Art and Karaoke.
Where to Eat
Goodies Southern Style BBQ - This small BBQ joint boasts Cincinnati's best barbecue, check it out for lunch or dinner.
Primavista - Come for the elegance and awesome Italian food, stay for the best views of Cincinnati available anywhere in the city.
Jobs in Cincinnati
We are currently looking for help with several hospital based inpatient rehab positions, as well as an acute care position. These openings are for traveling physical therapists, but we occasionally see PTA travel positions here.
Skilled nursing is also well represented, call today for a detailed listing of needs in the area.
When you begin the search for your next physical therapy job, you know from past experience that you will eventually
find something that will work for your situation. Sometimes the position you end up with isn't your ideal travel
assignment, but the market has made it clear that physical therapists are in demand and travel jobs are always
available.
However, over the past year I have seen a change in the marketplace when it comes to physical and occupational
therapy jobs. When I started recruiting for PT, OT, and SLP travelers, I could easily know when I spoke with a
traveler whether or not we would be able to help them find what they were looking for. Now, there is a large portion
of this marketplace that has gone competitive, with multiple agencies and facilities competing for the resources in
a particular area.
How do you as a traveler insure you get the job when there are other therapists competing with you?
For part one, we'll start with your agency. I wanted to give you tips from my point of view to help you build a
team that will take care of your best interests when it comes to your search. Agencies get paid by client facilities to fill needs, so a job search that goes nowhere means everyone loses. Here are a few simple tips:
First off, be realistic. Even though there is a shortage of physical therapists in this marketplace, I doubt you will find outpatient aquatic therapy on the beach in Key West. When you start any job search, find out what's most important to you....it will usu sally be one (sometimes a combination of two) of three major things: Location, Setting, or Money.
Location: If the location is what's most important to you, let your agency know that it will be the make or break detail for your search. For example, if you need to be in Chicago and do not want to be outside of Chicago proper by even one mile, let your agency know. The best way to find out if you are really driven by location is to ask yourself these questions: "If I found a job in Chicago that was less money than what I'm making now, would I still take it?" or "If I found a job in Chicago that was in a setting I don't like, would I still take it?" If the answer is yes, then you know that the location is motivating your job search.
Compensation: We all go to work because we want to make money, and I know that a lot of you travel because the money is so much better than the direct hire therapy market. I have seen lots of clients offer huge bonuses for travelers as well as large compensation packages. The only catch with a lot of these facilities are they are in very rural areas. (Think Amish country in PA, or extreme southern TX/AZ on the Mexican border) So if money is really driving you, ask yourself "If I found something that was more money than any other assignment I've seen, could I stand to be in (insert the least desirable location to you here)?" If you answered yes, then you can let your recruiter know to bring back the highest paying jobs in the region or country and you will sign on with the highest bidder.
Setting: This is the easiest decision for most of the traveling physical therapists I have worked with. Some therapists simply don't have a preference to setting, some have a dream setting or a nightmare setting. If you really love skilled nursing, ask yourself if you could stand 3 months in a hospital, on home health, or in outpatient if it meant a great location or better money?
I know these are pretty cut and dry estimates, but after asking yourself these questions, you should be able to put your agency on the same page with you. In most cases, agencies work with a combination of all three of these motivations, great agencies can take a list of jobs and drill down to one that will fit you. With your help in letting your agency know what suits you best as a therapist, you're on your way to a great travel therapy career.
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