Bon Voyage!

The benefits of becoming a traveling therapist

By Haley K. Jestice

08.25.08

“Pack your bags and get ready to meet new people,” Suzanne Willis, PT, encourages therapists considering a career as a traveler. And, she adds: “on your days off from work, grab a map and start exploring different parts of the world.” Although Willis’ straightforward tone sounds similar to the sales pitch of a travel agency, she’s not a travel guide for physical therapists. In fact, life hasn’t always allowed Willis the option to pick up and leave. From 1985 to 2006, Willis cared for her mother and worked at the same hospital in Lovell, Wyo. But, change was in the cards for Willis’ future.

“During the years that I was taking care of my mother, I really had no choice but to remain stationary. But, when she passed away in 2007, I figured, ‘well, maybe it’s time for a change’.” And, when circumstances in Willis’ life did change, she discovered this was a golden opportunity for her to do something different: travel. “I picked the right agency for me, at a time when I needed something new in my life – and I discovered that I really liked being a traveling therapist,” says Willis.

Today, Willis considers herself a “joy guide” for therapy professionals who are making the transition to a traveling position. Pleased with the direction her career has recently taken, she advises others in her profession to take advantage of the opportunities available for therapists, just as she has chosen to do. She says everyone with an itch to travel should follow their bliss, and do what satisfies them.

“I have worked with Delta Flex Travelers for more than a year now,” says Willis. Thanks to Delta Flex, she has been able to work in many different areas and facilities in Wyo., referring to these as some of the most refreshing years in her professional career. Hopefully, she says, the remaining years of her career will be just as rewarding.

Willis first connected with recruiters at Dallas-based Delta Flex Travelers back in 2006. And, ever since she first heard about the traveling opportunities being offered to physical therapists, she’s been intrigued by the idea of seeing how other facilities operate. In addition, she says, “If I were younger, I would definitely go through the effort of obtaining licensure in many different states – and then, I would really do some traveling.”

“The opportunity to travel and work has allowed me to see how the healthcare business is done in different areas,” Willis adds. “The experience has been eye-opening, and it has been a welcomed change in my professional career.” She says the advantages of being a traveling therapist will vary according to the individual’s needs and expectations. However, she personally cites two major benefits: 1) an increase in pay and 2) a decrease in stress. She says, “It’s great – all the details are taken care of by the recruiter.”

The Right Fit

“The profession for traveling therapists is wide open, says Rodd Kiliany, MPT, OTR, CHT, a traveling therapist based in the Pacific Northwest. “Therapists can self-direct their career path in regards to the position and location that they desire.” His travels began early in his career. After he graduated from Pittsburgh University, he took his first job within the Blue Ridge Mountains – in beautiful Blacksburg, Va. After two years in Virginia, he relocated to the beach community of South Carolina and then to Florida, where he says, “I enjoyed the climate, and many days in the sand.”

He soon realized that he loved change, and the adventures that traveling therapy brings. “The need to explore what may be around the next corner is what I enjoy the most,” he says. Although he has traveled all over the United States, he is currently experiencing the assignment of a lifetime – Anacortes, Wash. – thanks to the expertise of travel recruiters at Delta Flex.

With the assistance of his recruiter, Kiliany was able to find a desirable position in an ideal location. He says, “Becoming a traveling therapist just seemed to be the right fit for me – from the beginning.” His advice to novice traveling therapists who don’t know where to start: “Pull out a map, start pointing, and then do some research online. After you do this, call a recruiter and say you are ready to start traveling.”

Recruiters can help to guide the process and offer background information on job details, location, and what to expect. There are many travel agency Web sites available online for health professionals to peruse. For instance, in Boca Raton, Fla., the American Traveler staffing agency provides thousands of registered nurses, allied health specialists, and therapists with permanent and temporary job placements nationwide, including California, Florida, Hawaii, and the Midwestern and Mountain States.

The company is also recognized by The Joint Commission and has received its Gold Seal of Approval™ for the Healthcare Staffing Services program. Representatives are available 24/7 to ensure that professionals obtain the ultimate traveling experience. On their Web site, www.AmericanTraveler.com, the company cites additional benefits of working as a traveling therapist, including: gaining exposure to new treatments and therapies, working with top practitioners in different areas (i.e. metropolitan and rural), having a flexible work schedule, and exploring new and exciting places.

However, there are plenty of additional sources that are available online, such as: Cross Country TravCorps, www.crosscountryallied.com; Physical Therapy Jobs, www.physical-therapy-jobs.net, and Complete Medical Staffing ,www.completemedicalstaffing.com.

The Job of the Recruiter

Kiliany’s recruiter, William Ho, senior recruiting consultant for Delta Flex Travelers, says “As recruiters, we look to ensure that both parties’ – the therapist’s and a facility’s – needs are met in an assignment.” He says that the two key roles in the application and hiring process of traveling therapists include: 1) the recruiters, and 2) the marketers. “The recruiter’s role is solely candidate-centric.”

During an assignment, it is the recruiter’s responsibility to check-in with the candidate. The marketers have the same responsibility as being the “go-to” person, except they are the contact for the facility’s side. He adds that if any problematic issues or situations arise while that candidate is on assignment, then the recruiter should be the first to know about it. “Basically, the recruiter is the point person for the candidates, at all times.”

Assignments for travelers are typically 13 weeks long. Most facilities will offer the travel therapist an extension of the contract toward the end of the assignment. It is up to the candidate whether or not they extend. “The perfect travel candidate is someone who has a motivation to travel for the pure adventure and experience. The traveler should also have the following characteristics: likeable, adaptable, willing to learn new settings, and open-minded about new places,” says Ho.

When it comes to where job placements are needed the most, he says, it varies – due to a number of factors. “Typically, there are desirable locations across the board,” says Ho, “and this can change seasonally.” For instance, everyone wants to be in the South during winter and coastal for the summers. But, the ideal traveler is someone who will go anywhere – at anytime, he says.

Another resource that provides information of what to expect and where the traveling industry is heading in the future is the Staffing Industry Analysts Inc. (SIAI) and Bureau of Labor and Statistics. They annually publish statistics that show the status of the industry, such as the number of firms assisting professionals, the growth of the industry, forecast of future demand, revenue, where travelers are most needed, and more.

In 2007, SIAI estimates that there are 1050 temporary staffing firms currently locating job placement options for healthcare workers. And of these firms, there are 500 offering service to licensed practical nurses, 100 firms catering to physical therapists, and 9,500 for all other occupations. Since May 2006, when the report was issued, the total number of healthcare occupations employed both traditionally and temporarily was greater than 50,000. For example, the breakdown of nurses, physical and respiratory therapists within the healthcare industry are as follows: Nurses total 2,417,150; Physical therapists total 156,100; Respiratory therapists total 99,330.

Also, SIAI says the top geographic targets for therapists are in Florida and Texas. However, for nurses, there will be a shortage (through 2015) in the states of Wyoming, Alaska, Idaho, New Mexico, and Connecticut, which indicates opportunities for employments.

Adventures Await!

Following a typical four-day/10-hour scheduled workweek, Kiliany says his life is nothing but ordinary: “My life is spent exploring the Northern Cascade Mountains, jumping a ferry boat to the San Juan Islands, jumping into Vancouver, Canada or Seattle, and generally having a three-day vacation while earning a good living with less worries.”

Healthcare professionals interested in this route of profession should do their research prior to enlisting. Kiliany suggests calling multiple recruiters and asking as many questions as necessary, then choose a recruiter that fits your personality. “The better relationship will allow a improved understanding of your goals and desires.”

He also says to consider your own personality since this tye of job is not for the individual unaccustomed to change. Rather, to be a travele has to be flexible and able to adapt to a changing environment. “Since a traveling therapist needs to be able to walk into the job and start – from day one – being productive for the facility, I believe that new grads would not be ideal for this job – just yet.”

A good candidate for a traveling therapist, Kiliany says, is a person who has experience in the field already and is likes change. Also, someone who is open to meeting new people. He adds, “This type of person must also be flexible in the job required of them, personable to allow for good connections, carefree at times helps, [and] confident in their ability. I think those are some of the traits that help in making this a good fit.”

In regard to his current assignment, Kiliany says, “I have met so many people that have said you are so lucky to be able to do this, and I can honestly thank my career for allowing me this chance.” Although he loves the area, he says, “I know the assignment will be coming to an end soon, and a new travel will begin. I’m now thinking of Arizona, Utah, California, or perhaps, Montana, Oregon or Wyoming. Being a traveling therapist is a great way to discover America, which still has so much beauty that is often overlooked for international destinations.”

–– Haley K. Jestice is a staff writer for Therapy Times. Questions and comments can be directed to hjestice@therapytimes.com.

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