The top question reported by our recruiters: “Do you have a position in (fill in the blank with OP/IP/SNF…)?”
This is followed by the top statement: “I don’t feel comfortable in (fill in the blank with OP/IP/SNF…)?”
The point is that most new graduates want to be in a specific setting. More often than not, a student or new graduate will tell you what an area of interest is and will then focus on finding a job in that setting only. There isn’t anything wrong with this method, but please know that not all settings are readily available just because you are.
If you are seriously considering travel as a career choice and setting is your priority, then being open to other variables like location will help. This doesn’t mean you can’t have both but I suggest working with a recruiter who will be able to tell you what your odds are. There are limitations, of course, because new graduates need to be properly supervised. Some settings will be better than others. A good recruiter will make sure to find out all aspects of the position including how many therapists and assistants are working and the amount of mentoring that is available. This rule applies even when the recruiter is finding a direct hire (perm) job for you. If you are set on a particular location and setting, a direct hire option will probably be a better fit. If undecided, then try a temp or match hire (temp-to-perm) position. The great thing about taking a travel assignment as a new graduate is the fact that you can choose to work across different settings or to work the same setting across different locations. It’s your choice! Either way, it helps add tools to your tool box.
Pay is a motivator to everyone, even those who say that they are looking for the experience. If you are a new graduate telling me it doesn’t matter, then I have to wonder if you have student loans or if you won the lottery! Either way, I want to know about it. Salary is sticky because it differs across region and by setting. Going full time in a direct hire position is always a great choice because of the extensive benefits that are offered. As a traveler, you can have benefits but the real draw is the amount of money that can be made, especially if you are not tied to a lease or a home. Staying with family or friends in between assignments is common since housing is paid for while the traveler is working. Therefore, any part of your paycheck that was budgeted to housing is now budgeted to other areas or savings (which is the big bonus of being a temporary employee). Even if you are paying a monthly housing bill, the higher wages alone are a big plus. The important thing to remember if you are considering travel is to make sure you are aware of proper IRS guidelines. Some agencies may choose to let the traveller keep track of receipts, tax rules, etc. so it’s up to you to stay on your toes. If you are unsure, check with your personal accountant.
Deciding to travel right out of school is truly a personal decision. Location, pay, setting and mentoring are just a few of the driving factors in making the choice. Whatever your reasons, make sure to do your research. Also, once you decide to work with a recruiter, make sure to keep communications tight so that your needs are always understood. There is a big world out there and for a new graduate, it truly can be your oyster. Using a recruiter is a great way to help navigate those waters, no matter if it’s for a direct hire or travel position.
Sun Hui (Sunny) Snook graduated with a B.A. in Psychology from Truman State University and received a Master’s in Human Services from Bellevue University. She has been in the healthcare staffing field for 11 years, first working with nurses before moving to a nationwide work strategies consultant where her key responsibilities were to coach staffers and hospital managers on effective staffing. In 2009, Sunny started with Aureus Medical as an Account Manager in the Rehab Therapy division, working with both clients and prospective employees. Most recently, she moved to Student Outreach Coordinator. Prior to working in healthcare staffing, she served as an addictions therapist and residential treatment coordinator for five years.
Sunny Snook / 800.456.5857 ext 6578 / ssnook@aureusmedical.com
Most graduates have a difficult time evaluating jobs because its not a course offered in college! As a result, many students default to pay as their primary motivator and learn the hard way that the jobs that pay the most don’t offer the best opportunity!
Here’s something that may help.
The Adler Group conducted an eighteen year study and it found that top people use the following top-five criteria when deciding to accept an offer.
1. The job match: The best people want to do work that challenges them and allows them to grow in areas they deem important.
2. The quality of the manager: the best people are looking for leaders and mentors to help accelerate their career growth.
3. The quality of the team: The best people want to work with other top people.
4. The quality of the company: The company doesn’t have to be an industry leader, but it does need solid prospects and a plan to get better.
5. The compensation plan: As long as the compensation is in the upper third, and the job provides real opportunity, compensation is not the primary criteria.
If you would like questions to use during an interview to evaluate the opportunity on the top four, please contact Sunny @ ssnook@aureusmedical.com
Remember students, consider careers not jobs!
Hello Sunny, my name is Jon Williams. I will be graduating from PT school in December 2014(knock on wood) and was interested in asking you about the top four criteria that Mr. Wolf mentioned above. I’m aware that pay is good for travel PT’s (dependent on location of course). However, those four criteria s are very important for me as well. Can you please send me some of those key questions, I can ask a company like yours, in regards to travel PT employment. Thank you in advance.