You’ve decided to try travel therapy, and your staffing agency has helped secure your first move. Now you’re wondering what it will be like packing up and venturing across the country for 13 weeks. From your pre-travel packing list to your next big adventure, here’s a snapshot of what you can expect on your travel therapy assignment.
Before Your First Contract
One of the many reasons travel therapists work with staffing companies is to ensure that every item on the pre-move checklist gets completed. You may be required to participate in a background check or physical, you may need to renew your license, and you will need to set up housing before you travel. Your staffing team will take care of all the finite details so that you can prepare for your move with as little stress as possible.
Multiple housing options are available for travel therapy professionals, including the choice to receive a generous stipend and select your own accommodations. Before you begin your first travel therapy job, determine what your housing includes, create a packing list that will help you pack light, and come up with a few ideas to make your travel therapy housing feel uniquely yours.
Prepare for Change
We recommend that PTs, OTs, and SLPs have one or more years of experience in the field before seeking their first therapy travel jobs. The short-term nature of travel physical therapy and travel occupational therapy jobs requires you to hit the ground running. Many travel therapy assignments will provide about a week of orientation with the possibility to shadow a coworker; however, you should be ready to adapt quickly to each new facility and management style.
Seize the Opportunity
You’ve got the contract, you’re on site, and now it’s time to take your travel therapy career to the next level. Now is not only the moment to show your new colleagues why you were hired, but it’s also the moment you begin to learn everything you can during your three-month assignment. Your first travel therapy jobs will be done before you know it, so it’s important to remember the value of working with different peers, supervisors, and patients, and absorb as much as you can. Begin by setting aside some free time to spend time with your staff outside of work, and don’t be afraid to ask questions about your new destination.
Start Your Adventure
You’ve made friends with your peers, you’ve settled in your housing, and you’ve received your first travel therapy paycheck. Now it is time to do what travel therapy professionals do best, outside of work, that is, and explore your city and have some adventures! Get to know your destination from the locals, find the best places to eat on Yelp, and research the best tourist destinations in your area. Whether you’re close to the ocean or the mountains, your travel therapy assignment is an opportunity to step away from where you were, be bold, and cultivate incredible experiences.
Want To Learn More About Travel Therapy Opportunities?
Contact Us Today, and Be Sure To Download Our Free Guide!