Hello all,

Hope everyone had a great holiday season and new year and that you're eager to start 2009 traveling on the right foot.  A few tips to know going into this new year:

1. Southern/Western parts of the US are the place to be, especially this time of year.  Which is why those needs that do open up are filled quickly and that it's sometimes difficult to get to the "hot" areas for travel therapy jobs during the colder times of year.  Use this time to follow the money!  Positions in colder areas such as MI and WI tend to pay higher rates and sometimes large sign on bonuses during the winter months.

2. Early in the year is also a good time to stock up on things you'll need during the year such as CEU credits and more state licenses.  Focusing on getting this taken care of early can only help the process along once things turn during the spring months. 

3. Lastly, during this recession-like time, certain areas and settings may tend to hold back on utilizing travelers because of tight budget constraints.  This is a good time to evaluate what your main reasons for certain areas/settings are and to tweak your rehab jobs search a bit.  If you're really interested in a certain city or area, certain clients may pay less because they know the area sells itself and will bring in more local candidates.  We will always be able to get you high rates, but getting both the area and the rate may not match up each time.  So keep that in mind and let your recruiter know that depending on your hot button for this assignment, flexibility goes a long way in the process! 

Until next time, happy travels.

Tom Hidock

Happy 2009!

We have a lot to look forward to in '09. First, you'll start to see our new name, Cirrus Allied Staffing, and new logo, more often. Secondly, a new database designed to streamline our processes. It fully integrates our entire employment lifecycle - from your application, to matching potential allied health jobs to your requirements, to interviews, to job offer, to credentialing&housing, to payroll & client invoicing. I'm very excited about it. (What you'll notice most is the ease of recruiters matching specific speech therapy jobs and other rehab jobs when you're on the phone.) You'll also have the ability to fill out applications and online forms.

Another change is integrating our payroll and accounting to our sister company, Cirrus Medical Staffing. Since our acquisition in July, payroll has been done 70% in Atlanta and 30% in Charlotte. This will flip-flop next payroll. You'll still send your timesheets to the same number. Your paychecks will still say "MDI Medical." Paychecks and paystubs will be mailed from the Charlotte office beginning next week.

Sadly for us, we have to say goodbye to Kathy Flagler. Kathy has been our payroll & accounting manager for more than a year now. Many of you have talked with her on the phone (especially when your timesheet was late!) Her contract ends in a couple of weeks, and she's transitioning her duties as I type. Kathy starts a new contract in a similar role with a national consumer magazine here in Atlanta. We wish her many successes. I'm sure she'll make as big an impact there as she did for us.

If you didn't get time off from your Physical Therapy Jobs, Occupational Therapy Jobs and Speech Therapy Jobs to find all of the holiday deals...don't panic!I Today while I was browsing the internet, I found out that some of the best sales will begin on December 26, the day after Christmas and right through the New Year!  Here are just some of the sales going on...

Macy's- will offer clearance prices on all fall items..discounts will reach 75% off!

Home Depot- will be offering several promotional rebates, including $300 off two or more select GE appliances and up to 30% off select Dirt Devil products!

Wal-Mart- will offer up to 80% off certain jewelry, appliances and toys!

Target- will offer 50% off certain toys and designer clothing!

So, if you have some time off of your Rehabilitation Jobs, hit the malls and find these great deals!

Happy Holidays!

Brittany Walden
Receptionist
MDI Medical
**look for our name change coming soon ~ Cirrus Allied Staffing

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

 
PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   Broken Bow, NE
PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   Orangeburg, SC
PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   Alpena, MI
PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   Eden, NC
PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   Kenansville, NC
PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   Columbus, OH
PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   Dayton, OH
PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   Piqua, OH
PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   Washington Court, OH
PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   Charles Town, WV


These are just a few of our 2,000+ open travel jobs.

Call MDI Medical at 866-518-1750 about these and other Rehabilitation Jobs today!

As Traveling Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists and Speech Therapists, you meet and work with new people every 13 weeks.  I'm sure you get along with most of your coworkers, but sometimes there may be people that you don't agree on things with.  Here are some tips on getting along with coworkers while at your different Rehabilitation Jobs:

1. Focus on your job above anything else.  It's great to communicate with coworkers, but remember you are there for the job.

2. Confront coworkers with problems directly.  Instead of letting hard feelings develop, talk and resolve the issues.

3. Respect your coworkers...and they will respect you.

4. Remember that everyone is under stress. So, try not to take your stress out on others.

5. Make a good first impression.

Brittany Walden
Receptionist

Attention Physical Therapists, Occupational Therapists, and Speech Language Pathologists!!!

I was searching on the Internet for gift ideas for my mom for Christmas and ran across these flare leg scrubs. They look so cute and comfy and they come in so many different colors.

I know many of our Traveling Therapists working in Rehabilitation Jobs are required to wear scrubs to work. So I thought I would pass this along. The brand name is Dickies and you can find them by doing a Google search here.

I'm going to see what else I can find for our Therapists.

Natalie

 
PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   Broken Bow, NE
PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   Visalia, CA
PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   West Melbourne, FL
PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   Eden, NC
PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   Berea, OH
PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   York, PA
PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   Wild Rose, WI
PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   Port Charlotte, FL
PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   Kenansville, NC
PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   Friday Harbor, WA


These are just a few of our 2,000+ open travel jobs.

Call MDI Medical at 866-518-1750 about these and other Rehabilitation Jobs today!

 
PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   York, PA
PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   Columbus, OH
PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   Alpena, MI
PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   Piqua, OH
PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   Washington Court, OH
PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   Charles Town, WV
PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   Adrian, MI
PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   Pendleton, OR
PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   The Dalles, OR
PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   Houston, TX


These are just a few of our 2,000+ open travel jobs.

Call MDI Medical at 866-518-1750 about these and other Rehabilitation Jobs today!

While on your Travel Therapy Jobs, you are in a new town surrounded by new faces.  Meeting new people and making friends can sometimes be hard and intimidating.  Here are some tips on how to meet new people from howtodothings.com:

1. Be open.  Open yourself up to the opportunity of getting to know new, interesting people.
2. Join a sport or a community. In your free time away from your Rehabilitation Jobs, pick an interest that fits you, whether it be a sport or a discussion group, and meet people you have something in common with!
3. Take Initiative.  Sometimes you need to take the initiative and ask someone to do something, perhaps a colleague from your Allied Health Job.
4.  Remember that you have friends here at Cirrus Medical Staffing! Call us anytime you have questions, concerns or when you're looking for that next therapy assignment!

Happy Travels!
Brittany Walden
Receptionist

 
PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   Urbana, IL
PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   Pendleton, OR
PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   Pine Bluff, AR
PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   Byron, IL
PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   Wild Rose, WI
PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   Oxford, PA
PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   Brookline, MA
PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   Broken Bow, NE
PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   Carlisle, PA
PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   Braintree, MA


These are just a few of our 2,000+ open travel jobs. Call MDI Medical at 866-518-1750 about these and other Rehabilitation Jobs today!

I've been talking with a Physical Therapist for the past few weeks. She's considering MDI Medical's rehab jobs for traveling Physical Therapists in Texas. She's never traveled before, and Quincey (an MDI Medical recruiter) and I have been talking with her about beginning a career with traveling PT jobs.  

This PT says that two competitors' recruiters are offering her premium upgraded housing and $10/hour higher than our best pay rate. That's an average of $15/hour higher than our already-high-traveler-pay-rates!

Now, I've been around the block a few times. Other travelers tell me they've been in this same spot before. There are some not-so-scrupulous competitors who will tell you anything you want to hear to pull you in the door, and then later, they'll tell you that you "misunderstood." 

So, how can I communicate that? How do I say that the other recruiters are selling her something they don't really have, without scaring her away from honest recruiters and a lucrative career in travel? How do I compare our realistic compensation package with "phantom" pie-in-the-sky promises? If you were in her shoes, what would you want me to say?

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

PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   Philadelphia, PA
PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   Lynnwood, WA
PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   Pendleton, OR
PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   York, PA
PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   Hallettsville, TX
PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   Seneca, SC
PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   Broken Bow, NE
PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   Urbana, IL
PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   Carlisle, PA
PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   Belle Plaine, MN


These are just a few of our 2,000+ open travel jobs. Call MDI Medical at 866-518-1750 about these and other Rehabilitation Jobs today!

 
PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   Urbana, IL
PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   Lynnwood, WA
PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   Philadelphia, PA
PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   Baltimore, MD
PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   Mt. Pleasant, MI
PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   Carlisle, PA
PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   Pine Bluff, AR
PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   Kenansville, NC
PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   Laurens, SC
PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   Mineral Wells, TX


These are just a few of our 2,000+ open travel jobs.

Call MDI Medical at 866-518-1750 about these and other Rehabilitation Jobs today!

Many of you Physical Therapist, Occupational Therapist and Speech Language Pathologist travelers often feel that you would much rather work in any setting other than Skilled Nursing.  But one key to being a successful traveler and working in the city of your choice is to compromise and be open to different settings.  This blog is basically to explain and compare different settings versus Skilled Nursing.  Take some time to read this and really think about the differences.  You may discover that what you thought was a setting you really did not want to do, is something that you just might want to try.

1.) Acute care/hospital setting
 These therapists are used to a single discipline approach.  The therapist evaluates the patient, usually bedside, and then makes recommendations to follow up with their care.  Average length of stay in an acute care setting is about five days at best. Therefore, the therapist becomes a great evaluator and “recommender,” but never really gets to see the patient progress as they are discharged to another setting, home health, OP, SNF, to continue their therapy.  However, acute care does usually give a pretty flexible schedule in terms of hours/days due to the “captive” audience.
SELLING POINT:  Therapists, by nature, want to see a person progress and improve. In the SNF environment, most therapists will get to see that happen.  They will get to treat patients on a daily basis (or whatever is needed) to return that patient to their highest level of function.  Under Medicare part A (PPS) they are given up to 100 days for therapy.  Also, SNF is multi-disciplinary approach which is definitely more fun as it is a “team” environment and creates an overall aspect of treating the entire person rather than just a specific injury/illness. 

2.) Outpatient setting
 Outpatient is a demanding schedule that usually involves treating numerous patients at the same time.  Normally patients are scheduled to overlap so that while one might be “icing an injury,” another is doing exercises under minimal supervision, while another patient is getting some “hands-on” treatment.  The schedule is definitely for the newer (younger) therapists, as it is hard to keep the intensity for years.  Most therapists that are still in an out-patient setting numerous years into their career are in the management aspect of the operation.  Patients are set up on appointments and since a lot of those patients are of working age, the therapist's schedule must accommodate early morning and later evening appointments.  These therapists will have a tough time grasping the PPS reimbursement model if they have been in OP for years.   Also, this is another single discipline approach.  A lot of the time it may just be a PT clinic with no OT or SLP even offered. 
 SELLING POINT:  Schedule!!!  The flexibility of a SNF schedule far surpasses any schedule an OP clinic can offer.  If the therapist wants a varied schedule, that’s usually something that my RM’s are agreeable to.  Once again, the multi-disciplinary team is a big selling point here as well.  Also, in my experience, therapists see the same diagnosis over and over (back, neck) which allows the therapist to become quite bored, quite quickly.  Most of our facilities offer a varied caseload of orthopedic and neurological injuries.

3.) Home Health
 Most of the time therapists don’t want to leave HH due to the flexibility that it, supposedly, offers.  Most therapists do get to schedule their patients when they want during the week, but an appointment still has to be kept.  Also, there is considerable driving involved…a lot of companies have not increased their mileage reimbursement to keep up with the cost of gas/IRS standards, thereby having the therapist just write it off on taxes rather than getting it reimbursed.  Once again, this is a single disciplinary approach and you are truly alone.  Therapists might drive into unsafe areas and unsafe homes to treat patients.  The paperwork in HH is significant as well…since sometimes it is just you and the patient.  Documentation is key because if something happens with that patient, it is your word vs. theirs.  Therefore, therapists spend an incredible amount of energy on HH documentation…I think the evaluation ( under OASIS) prints out to over 50 pages.  These therapists are usually highly compensated (around here $75/visit) however, that doesn’t break directly into an hourly rate.  I have had therapists give me the amount on their W-2 so that we can convert it to an hourly basis so that we are talking “apples to apples.”
 SELLING POINT:  Documentation…SNF requires an evaluation with a weekly note. That’s it!  That’s huge to these therapists.  Also, the flexibility is still there without all the driving into sometimes scary places.  Interacting with other therapists is important to some as well.  When it’s just you as the primary therapist with no other interaction, the therapist is only as good as their knowledge allows.  In the SNF environment, there are usually other therapists of the same discipline or the ARD, RM to “bounce” ideas off of if you have questions.

4.) In-patient Rehabilitation setting
 This setting is probably most closely associated with a SNF setting. These therapists get to see patients improve but usual lengths of stay are only about 30 days.  They also utilize a multi-disciplinary approach as does SNF.  A lot of patients that end up at SNF for rehab might be those that couldn’t withstand the intense schedule of an inpatient rehab program.  Patients have to be able to tolerate at least three hours of therapy a day to qualify, therefore it isn’t for everyone.  This setting, though, usually has the most structured schedule.  Most patients are set up from about 9-3:00 each day with therapists starting at 8:00 and finishing at 4:00-4:30 after the last patient.  They see, usually, the same patient for one hour/twice a day.
It’s a great schedule if you like 8-4:30 but there’s little flexibility.  Usually in this setting there is daily documentation as well.
 SELLING POINT:  Schedule.  Most inpatient rehab units don’t hire part-time therapists and most work a set schedule which is the same every day.  There’s very little room for variation.    Documentation…once again, SNF requires an evaluation followed by a weekly note.  These therapists are usually the easiest to make the switch to SNF as the model of inpatient rehab most closely mimics SNF.

So ATTENTION all PT, OT and SLP travelers, the next time a recruiter from MDI Medical calls you to let you know that the only facility available in your city of choice is a SNF, make sure you tell them, "SIGN ME UP!"

Scott Ferguson
Super Recruiter

PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   Houston, TX
PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   Lynnwood, WA
PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   Philadelphia, PA
PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   Baltimore, MD
PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   Mt. Pleasant, MI
PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   Parma Hts., OH
PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   Alpena, MI
PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   Friday Harbor, WA
PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   Toppenish, WA
PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   Urbana, IL

These are just a few of our 2,000+ open travel jobs.

Call MDI Medical at  866-518-1750 about these and other Rehabilitation Jobs today!

I know many of our Rehabilitation Jobs are traveling positions so that means many will be traveling back home for the holidays. If you are a MDI Medical employee and taking time off be sure to let your manager know and make arrangements for making the time up if needed. Some Physical Therapist prefer to make the time up on a Saturday before taking off. Just make sure if you are that you get the approval from you manager before doing so.

Natalie Barber
Housing Coordinator

 
PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   Las Cruces, NM
PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   Pendleton, OR
PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   Alpena, MI
PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   Kenansville, NC
PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   Laurens, SC
PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   Urbana, IL
PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   Mt. Pleasant, MI
PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   Madeira, OH
PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   Mentor, OH
PTA   Rehabilitation Jobs   Willow Grove, PA


These are just a few of our 2,000+ open travel jobs.

Call MDI Medical at  866-518-1750 about these and other Rehabilitation Jobs today!