Official Therapist Blog

Now is the Time for Change

Author Healthcare Jobs Blogger | 04.14.2009 | Category Allied Healthcare, Nursing, Registered Nurses, Respiratory Therapy, Therapist Jobs, Travel Nurse Blog , Travel Nursing, Travel Therapist, Traveling Therapist, physical therapy, rehabilitation therapy

This is the perfect moment to “Go-Learn-Do” with your career

Recently I had the pleasure of seeing my dentist for my routine check-up and cleaning. As usual he was running behind, and his assistant came in and offered me something to read to pass some time as he worked on the poor soul in the room next to mine. The assistant brought me back a Time Magazine, although I was hoping it would have been People. (I am not the gossipy type and never purchase it for myself, but will admit to reading it every “free” chance I get.)

This Time was different — the cover story gripped my attention quickly — “10 Ideas Changing the World Today.” The first one being “Jobs Are the New Asset” by Barbara Kiviat. In short, she was stating that in today’s economy with people losing money on their stock portfolios and the housing market crashing, people are seeing their jobs as an asset and taking the time to “invest in their careers again.”

Today’s healthcare professional is in high demand; there are shortages everywhere for nurses and therapists! I started to salivate (and not from any Novocain injections) at what this can mean to travel nurses and traveling therapists. You have an opportunity that others don’t have; your asset can also be an adventure! It is truly unique to be able to work in a field where you have the ability to “change it up” and experience new things — not just from a destination standpoint but from a learning perspective, too.

I think taking your J-O-B from “just a job” and making it feel like an asset takes passion for what you do. Let’s face it, sometimes we all lose sight of why we do what we do everyday. We get caught in the rat race. The solution for all of you out there in the healthcare industry: TRAVEL!! Make your job your passion again. Remember why you became a nurse or allied professional to begin with. Reinvent your career. Traveling can make that happen! I am so enthusiastic about having a job as a recruiter. Giving people an avenue to do something that they would never have done before excites me! Many, many times I hear from my travelers, ” I am so burned out and am looking for a change, but nursing is who I am.” Then after an assignment I hear, “I never thought I would have learned so much,” and “I have tried so many new things that I never dreamed possible.”

On every assignment you can learn something new from the facilities and people you work with. A traveling nurse can really get an education. Changing the geographical destination will keep it fresh too. Having new sights to see and sharing it with new friends can make a world of difference in your life. (Think about the fun of experiencing the Big Apple with rent free New York travel nurse jobs and paid round trip travel!). I do not know many professions that offer this type of opportunity — not to take advantage of it is kinda crazy!

So let me just say this: Go - Learn - Do.

You are going to be interviewed for a travel therapy job! Now What?

Author Healthcare Jobs Blogger | 04.02.2009 | Category Allied Healthcare, Interview Tips, Respiratory Therapy, Therapist Jobs, Travel Therapist, Traveling Therapist, physical therapy, rehabilitation therapy

Your recruiter has submitted your employment application to several different facilities. What do you need to do to ace the interview?

First and most important- you may think that this is obvious…. ANSWER THE PHONE EVERY TIME IT RINGS!!! Keep it glued to your side! Take it with you everywhere you go! Managers are very busy and call when it is convenient for them. Don’t miss the call! They may go on to the next candidate and offer them the job.

If you do miss the call, call back immediately. If you get their voice mail, leave a message that you are very interested in speaking with them and will also try to call back again. Leave your phone number too. Once you have the manager’s phone number keep trying them back throughout the day until you get them. Do not leave more than one message in the same day. Remember to always get the full name of the manager and the manager’s phone number when you speak with them. That way you will be able to contact them in the future. Always let your recruiter know that you have been contacted by the manager. Your recruiter can let the hospital know that you are trying to contact them.

Prepare for the interview- Write down the details about the travel therapy job. Your Recruiter should tell you in advance all the information that the hospital has provided on this position . Be sure to tout your experience in what the position requires. Be prepared to tell them what type of hospitals that you have worked in. This is your time to “brag” about yourself. Let the manager know what a great candidate you are.

During the interview you should also ask questions about the assignment. We want you to be confident that you know what is expected of you on the travel assignment.

Remember to ask for the job! At the end of the interview let the manager know you want the job. If they are not able to offer you the job immediately ask for the time frame when they will be making the decision. Also ask if they will be contacting you directly or the travel agency. Let your recruiter know immediately when you have interviewed and the specifics of what you talked about. They will follow up on your behalf to help secure the job for you.

Happy Traveling!