Official Therapist Blog

Physical Therapist Jobs for PTs with DPT

Author Healthcare Jobs Blogger | 04.28.2010 | Category Allied Healthcare, Career Tips, Physical Therapist Jobs, Therapist Jobs, Therapy Jobs, Travel Therapist, physical therapist licensing, physical therapy, rehabilitation therapy

Recently, we had a PT career question regarding a job after earning a Doctor of Physical  Therapy (DPT)  and I thought it would be good share with everyone.

Question:
I was wondering how many years of experience most of the travel PT jobs usually require? For example, would it be realistic that a student coming straight out of school with a DPT could land a travel PT job, or would at least a few years of experience be necessary to be hired?

Answer:
A physical therapist who has recently earned their Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) has received extensive training in their educational program. Rehab facilities that have experienced physical therapists on staff to mentor the new physical therapist will be the most comfortable working environments. These facilities are likely to offer physical therapy graduates a travel physical therapy position upon graduation from an accredited program. Other factors taken into consideration when hiring new graduates are past internships and specialty experience

National Occupational Therapy Month well under way this April

Author Therapy Career Blogger | 04.19.2010 | Category Allied Healthcare, Career Tips, Monthly Events, Occupational Therapy, Occupational Therapy Month - April, Therapist Jobs, Travel Therapist, rehabilitation therapy

Just like everyone else, occupational therapists file their taxes in the spring, with the ultimate goal of satisfying the IRS before April 15th —whether or not your tax return gives you something to celebrate, April is and will continue to be, a busy and celebratory month for OTs across the nation.

Why? Because April showers bring reasons to showcase what high paying occupational therapy jobs do best: help patients live their lives to the fullest!

Yep, it’s National Occupational Therapy Month for a couple more weeks; those of you in travel occupational therapy jobs close to Florida are close to the American Occupational Therapy Association’s (AOTA) annual conference in Orlando. If you registered by the extended deadline of April 11th, you’re good to go in a conference beginning on 4/29/10, lasting through the second of May. We’d love to read comments from occupational therapists in attendance, if you would be so kind as to post one after reading our article!

Nowhere near Orlando this month? No big deal. You don’t have to attend the AOTA conference to practice what it preaches. Here are just a few things you—and in this case “you” applies not just to OTs, but OTAs and students—can do to showcase the importance of an inspiring occupational therapist career.

Visit www.promoteot.com to see OT related gifts from AOTA’s new line of products; your purchase goes a long way in showing clients, referrers, and colleagues how much you care—the best part being that proceeds help the AOTA help you!

• Host a little Occupational Therapy Month party in the break room where you work; now that spring cleaning is through, those plates and utensils ought to be easy enough to find! Serve coffee and donuts while sharing stories about how occupational therapy careers greatly benefit the public—little events like these are great at getting the word out!
• Send out April greetings to clients or mentors, expressing the occupational therapy mission statement: to help patients “live their lives to the fullest”; this is AOTA’s platform—OTs  are encouraged, this month especially, to distribute consumer tips that help millions of patients (of all ages) through the hardships of their medical conditions.
• Finally, promote the unique role OTs can play by getting involved with Rebuilding Together (RT). AOTA and Rebuilding Together (RT) have collaborated on home modification projects for low-income homeowners for more than a decade. OTs play a crucial role in this outreach program as members in RT affiliate programs spanning the country.
• Remember that April, a month of painted eggs, tax advantages and sunshine is just a temporary bright spot in a whole year’s worth of showcasing the importance of Occupational Therapy.

We’re certainly going to tell the world what occupational therapy does 365 days a year.

Top 8 Physical Therapy Certifications by Specialty

Author Therapy Career Blogger | 04.13.2010 | Category Allied Healthcare, Career Tips, Certifications, Continuing Education Units (CEU), Travel Therapist, Traveling Therapist, physical therapist licensing, physical therapy, rehabilitation therapy

Get Your Physical Therapy Certification and Earn more in Advanced Specialty Jobs

In the competitive field of physical therapy, you need an edge. If you’re looking for a higher physical therapist salary, preferential treatment in hiring and, most importantly, a huge upgrade in the level of service you provide your patients, you can fulfill all these and more career ambitions by getting certified in a physical therapy specialty ASAP!

We hope all PTs seeking physical therapist certification will jot down the relevant dates and info available in this post; we’ve taken it from a physical therapy source you should bookmark—the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA)—timely information regarding your future physical therapist certification is displayed on their website.

But don’t wait—visit APTA’s Professional Development page today, where you’ll have the opportunity to earn Continuing Education credits in virtually all areas of physical therapy specialty; also in the spotlight, is a call to register NOW for the 2010 Annual PT Conference in Boston, June 16-June 19—it’s a great way to network, and investigate the newest products and services.

In addition to your review of the 8 physical therapy specialties outlined here, take heart in other forms of supportive PT literature, offering physical therapy career tips for success.  Remember that professions like orthopedic physical therapy, sports physical therapy and all allied healthcare jobs on this list come with top therapy job benefits.

Without further adieu, here is the Top 8 list:

1.    CCS (Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Certified Specialist)

Your patients:
•    Have recently undergone heart or lung surgery
•    Have been diagnosed with disorders of the heart or lungs
Medical conditions seen by CCS:
•    Hypertension
•    Chronic heart failure
•    Pulmonary fibrosis
•    Bronchitis
Your professional goal:
•    Increase stamina of heart and lungs; improve their function
•    Promote functional independence of patients

2. ECS (Clinical Electrophysiologic Certified Specialist)

Your patients are:
•    Active individuals; their lifestyles or work conditions led to disorder
•    Those who experienced a high degree of trauma
Medical conditions seen by ECS:
•    Carpal tunnel syndrome
•    Injured War veterans
•    Car accident victims
Your professional goal:
•    Treat your patients through the use of a Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation (TENS) unit
•    Improve recovery outcomes by conducting electromyogram and nerve conduction velocity testing (EMG /NCV).

3.    GCS (Geriatric Certified Specialist)

Your patients are:
•    Elderly people suffering from a wide range of conditions
•    Elderly patients recovering from surgeries, i.e. hip or joint replacement
Medical Conditions seen by GCS:
•    Arthritis
•    Osteoporosis
•    Cancer
•    Incontinence
Your professional goal:
•    Reduce discomfort
•    Hasten recovery
•    Improve mobility

4.    NCS (Neurologic Certified Specialist)

Your patients are:
•    Recovering from a traumatic brain injury
•    Receiving rehabilitation therapy after diagnosis of neurological illness

Medical conditions seen by NCS:

•    Cerebral palsy
•    Multiple sclerosis
•    Parkinson’s disease
•    Spinal cord injuries
•    Stroke victims

Your professional goal:

•    guiding patients in learning to function independently
•    helping patients deal with issues related to neurological disorders, i.e., paralysis or problems with balance and coordination

5.    OCS (Orthopaedic Certified Specialist)

Your patients are:
•    individuals suffering from chronic conditions
•    patients seeking rehabilitation post-surgery
Medical conditions seen by OCS:
•    All injuries, diseases and challenges related to the musculoskeletal system
Your professional goal:
•    To administer an array of treatment options and uniquely tailored therapy plans

6.    PCS (Pediatric Certified Specialist)

Your patients are:
•    Infants
•    adolescents
Medical conditions seen by PCS:
•    challenges related to many types of disorders.
•    Disorders that categorize a child as “special needs”
Your professional goal:
•    help the patient build strength, increase fitness levels or develop gross and fine motor skills
•    improve the patient’s coordination and stability.
•    Detect physical issues early to ensure the best course of treatment.

7.    SCS (Sports Certified Specialist)

Your patients are:
•    Athletes
Medical conditions seen by SCS:
•    evaluation and treatment of patients’ active and chronic pain
Your professional goal:
•    preventing injuries
•    preparing athletes for maximum physical exertion
•    equipment recommendations and tips on enhancing performance.

8.    WCS (Women’s Health Certified Specialist)

Your patients are:
•    Women of childbearing age
•    Menopausal and perimenopausal Women
Medical Conditions seen by WCS:
•    Pregnancy and post partum issues
•    Lymphedema
•    osteoporosis
•    pelvic pain
•    urinary incontinence
Your professional goal:
•    Helping and educating women of all ages with discomfort caused by both short term and chronic conditions.

Look for 2011 applications for Board Certification as a Clinical Specialist—in the 8 different areas of physical therapy specialties we’ve outlined above—at the end of April, when they become available on the APTA site!

For super specific info, download APTA “Application and Info” booklets—and don’t forget to apply for physical therapy certification on time!   July 1, 2010 is the application deadline for all specialties, except Cardiovascular/Pulmonary and Clinical Electrophysiology, which gives you until July 31, 2010.

Get busy this summer—work on your tan after you’re ABPTS certified—check out physical therapy career resources today!  Get that edge only physical therapy certification can give you!

Top 40 Tips for Physical Therapy Career Success

Author Healthcare Jobs Blogger | 04.06.2010 | Category Allied Healthcare, Career Tips, How To's, How to Tips, Therapist Jobs, Therapy Jobs, Travel Therapist, Traveling Therapist, physical therapy, rehabilitation therapy

The Physical Therapist’s Top 40 Countdown to Career Success and Financial Bliss

If your licensure is fairly new or you’re well on your way to passing the state exam, Kudos to you! Qualified physical therapists are highly compensated, always in demand, and guaranteed a job in just about any healthcare facility. In this article, experts share the tips you need to know on what it takes to get your physical therapy career off the ground and running in high gear.

Staying current with healthcare therapy news feeds is just a small part of being the best; before you know it, you’ll rub shoulders with talented physical therapists from education programs similar to the one you’re in right now—or—if you’ve not yet applied to a program, we deliver a state by state resource guide to physical therapy schools approved by The Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE)—we’re also counting down to banner personality traits that translate into rockin’ & rollin’ your way down the physical therapist career path.

With a full work or course load, not to mention your continuing education, downtime is scarce, but in the rare event you indulge in iTunes and websurfing, we’re kickin’ it old school with a leisurely Casey Kasem inspired Top 40 countdown of tips travel PTs use in their physical therapy jobs.

So, from #40 on the list to the most important tip at all, remember these facts and therapy career resources, and be #1—oh, and don’t forget the drum roll as we make our way to…budumbumbum…“The Top Tip”!

Salary and Financial Stability:

#40: Salary Surveys reveal that advanced degrees and training are well worth the effort. Physical therapists benefit from dramatic increases in salary after just five years of practice.
#39: PTs don’t have to worry about a recession affecting their careers; as the general population ages and athletes continue to get injured, physical therapy becomes ever more popular.
#38: Rehab therapists may work long hours, but it translates into well compensated overtime pay.
#37: Therapist staffing agencies offer bonus referral programs.
#36: PT salaries vary by state, but the good news is, in physical therapy careers, you can work anywhere! See Physical Therapist salary by  state chart at the end of this post.

A Career with Superb Benefits:

#35: Physical therapy jobs come with stellar medical and dental benefits.
#34: Rehabilitation therapy jobs offer attractive retirement benefits, like 401(k) savings and tax advantage plans
#33: Free private housing in luxury accommodations is available through companies like Travel Force.
#32: Most physical therapists receive free life insurance.
#31: Plenty of employers offer physical therapists licensure reimbursement to practice in the state of their choosing.

Career Advancements & Education:

#30: PT staffing agencies are quick to offer free Continuing Education online courses.
#29: Your physical therapy job provides additional travel reimbursements and road savvy info that help you enjoy your adventures to the fullest.
#28: Physical therapists gain employment with ease through therapist recruitment.
#27: “I can’t get no satisfaction” is a song you’ll never hear on this Top 40 countdown. Job satisfaction among physical therapists is documented in the APTA media room as second in the Top 5 careers for job satisfaction.
#26: You’ll never stop advancing in your physical therapy career unless you want to.

Work In Diverse Healthcare Settings:

#25: Working on the road means physical therapists steer clear of the blahs—nationwide assignments have plenty of flexibility; work as little as 8 weeks or as long as 8 months.
#24: You’ll enjoy lots of variety in travel physical therapy jobs; you can work in hospitals, clinics, offices, schools, home health, rehab centers and more.
#23: You’ll never be bored. Physical therapy jobs are among the most intellectually stimulating careers on the planet. Click here to watch an inspiring 10 minute video about physical therapists, talking about the analytical aspects of their jobs and more.
#22: Physical therapists will not be replaced by computers, and as there is a need for them in every health facility, qualified PT’s are guaranteed a job.
#21: Every day is different for physical therapists, keeping things fresh and exciting; keep up with PT news and learn how to make your therapist career better.

Making a Difference:

#20: You need compassion and humanity! As we get closer to the #1 tip, it becomes more evident physical therapy jobs require giving your whole self over to the profession; that means heart and soul, as well as your mind.
#19: You can become more than a caregiver. Long term care takes a personal turn when you work with patients you care about.
#18: Your work as an educator is paramount. Much of your job as a physical therapist will be educating patients, their families, and the general public.
#17: Cherish a connection to your colleagues? Good. You will interact with lots of other health professionals as a physical therapist.
#16: Physical therapy allows you to mentor patients, families, and other PTs.

Friendships for a Lifetime:

#15: If you hate to be isolated, physical therapy provides quite the opposite experience; in this career no man is an island—to help the patient, you and other members of the rehab team must pull together.
#14: As a physical therapist, you’ll be able to improve the morale of patients and their families.
#13: You can be a giver of hope to your patients
#12: Physical therapy works toward healing, putting an end to pain and suffering experienced by others.
#11: As a physical therapist, your work matters to your patients and their families.
#10: You care about your fellow man, and want to make a positive impact on peoples’ lives.

Get those drums ready! We are getting into the last 10 in the countdown, focusing on the personal traits that make the top earning, top achieving physical therapists.

Resilience & Teamwork:

#9: Physical Therapists need to be able to deal with doctors, patients, and coworkers in a tactful way.
#8: Physical Therapy is rewarding, but nevertheless, hard work—if you’re highly skilled and willing to work hard, this job’s for you.
#7: As a physical therapist, you’ll care for people every day, so empathy is a must.
#6: Physical therapists are constantly learning, so if you love to learn, a physical therapy career is a great option.

Dedication has its Rewards:

#5: Physical Therapists often work on their feet all day with minimal breaks; therefore, physical stamina is important. Stay healthy!
#4: Every day will be different, so being able to adapt is essential for physical therapists.
#3: If you have the ability to communicate and instill trust in people, you have the basic skills for becoming a physical therapist.
#2: You must be able to remember, write a lot, and be organized as a PT.

And let the drums roll, please!…………..

#1: You must be 110% dedicated! Physical Therapy is not just a job—it’s a lifestyle.

Physical Therapist Median Salary by State