Among travel therapy prospects, there may be misconceptions about the ins and outs of travel PT. The truth is, travel therapy provides great job flexibility and a unique opportunity to explore different parts of the country while sharpening your skillsets. Let’s set the record straight by debunking these myths:
Myth: Travel physical therapists need years of experience in order to get the job.
Truth: Young therapists and new grads are tremendous candidates for travel therapy assignments. Thousands of young professionals take these jobs every year, as the work presents a fabulous chance for those who want to see a new corner of the country while working in multiple settings. This enables a therapist to discover their strengths prior to settling into a permanent position.
Myth: Employees are obligated to long-term contracts that lock them into a single destination.
Truth: Typically, travel physical therapy jobs are 13 to 26 weeks in duration. Whether you want a new challenge or to swap locations, talk with your recruiter at your healthcare staffing to find the right destination for you.
Myth: Patients need a referral to get evaluated by a travel physical therapist.
Truth: A survey conducted by the American Physical Therapy Association showed 70 percent of people think a referral or prescription is necessary for evaluation by a physical therapist. The good news is that this is not the case. All 50 states and Washington, D.C., allow patients to see a PT specialist to be evaluated without a physician’s prior referral. This holds true for travel PT professionals as well as permanent PTs. In addition, 49 states and the District Columbia allow some form of treatment or intervention without a physician prescription or referral (Michigan is the only exception).
Myth: Travel PT specialists don’t get paid well.
Truth: In fact, most travel therapy jobs pay higher salaries than permanent positions, often because of the elevated needs of the facility. Plus, most medical staffing companies provide travelers with free private housing or a housing stipend.
Myth: Bouncing from location to location looks bad on the resume.
Truth: While this may be the reality for certain permanent jobs, working in different environments speaks to the adaptability of travelers and their ability to coordinate efficiently in a variety of settings. What’s more, future employers understand that travelers are exposed to diverse patient populations, from whom they gain invaluable hands-on experience.
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