Official Therapist Blog

Sports Physical Therapy in High Demand

Author Healthcare Jobs Blogger | 10.14.2011 | Category Allied Healthcare, Career Tips, How to Tips, Physical Therapist Jobs, Therapy Jobs, Top Rehab Careers, Top Therapy Blogs, Travel Therapist, Travel physical therapy jobs, Videos, physical therapy, rehabilitation therapy, video

Spotlight on Graduates

From college and professional athletes to kid’s sports injuries, baby boomers and seniors staying fit, the demand for sports therapists is off the chain.

How close are you to jobs in Sports Therapy?

The number one ‘Best Thing!’ about having a Masters in Physical Therapy is after years of late night studying, tests, clinicals and boards, you finally get to practice. The number two best thing is your Masters paves the way for your doctorate - or maybe first a career in sport physical therapy.

Every time you see an NFL quarterback sacked or a college ‘b-baller’ hit the floor hard, somewhere a sports therapist secretly says: “Yes, more work for me!” Naturally you sense exaggeration here as we all know compassion is vital to the art. Nevertheless facts are facts. Whenever an athlete gets hurt playing sports; a physical therapist likely plays a role in healing.

“Jobs in sports physical therapy are challenging and rewarding,” said Dennis Grandic, PT, MBA, Business Account Manager for Physical therapy staffing agency Travel Force Staffing. “They’re ideal positions for PT graduates in search of job satisfaction, career stability, and great pay.”

Sports Physical Therapy Jobs Working with Children

About 38 million teens play organized sports in the U.S. each year. Of these, an average 3.5 million get hurt - sprains, strains, head, spine, neck and back - plenty of jobs in sports therapy here.

Think football leads the pack in promoting adolescent sports injuries? Guess again. Bicycling is number one with 275,000 yearly mishaps. Basketball follows second with 200,000 and football third with 194,000. Injuries on the trampoline, playing soccer and skateboarding rank four, five and six respectively.[1]

Sport Therapists for Adults

Fueling demand for sports physical therapy are millions of ‘just retired’ Americans exercising regularly. Alongside them are seniors living longer and being more active while doing it. This beckons the story of 105-year-old Isabel “Billie” Smith in Margate Florida who said the only reason she gave up swimming at the age of 99 was because of a hip injury. “I do miss it though,” she said.

The centurion maintains mobility through exercise classes with a licensed sports therapist.

What’s the Jobs Outlook for Sports Physical Therapy?

Sport therapy is expected to grow more than 27 percent through to 2018. Salaries are high and range around the $80,000 mark. The average yearly salary in 2009 was $74,000 and sports therapists working for professional sports teams commonly earned well over $100,000.

Physical Therapy Jobs on the Rise in the Wake of Recession

The demand for physical therapy jobs is increasing sharply. Factors include an aging population, shorter hospital stays, the shift to ambulatory care and an improvement in the survival rate of accident victims and newborns. Indirectly, the rise in life expectancy makes interventions in physical therapy even more relevant, since physical therapists improve the quality of life of the elderly for an increasing proportion of their life.

Want to learn more about careers in physical therapy, sport therapy or other allied health jobs? Looking for a permanent position, a travel therapy job or to practice in a skilled nursing facility or outpatient rehabilitation center? Call Travel Force at 800-617-0608 or apply online today!

Related Blog:

National Physical Therapy Month - sports injury prevention throughout our lifespan.

[1] National SAFE KIDs campaign.

Surgical Technologist Jobs in Colorado now require licensing

Author Healthcare Jobs Blogger | 03.25.2011 | Category Allied Healthcare, Career Tips, How to Tips, Medical/Surgical, Therapist Jobs, Top Rehab Careers, Top Therapy Blogs, Travel Nurse Blog, rehabilitation therapy

The deadline is April 1, 2011 for surgical technologists, technicians and assistants in the state if they want to keep working

Why Do Colorado Surgical Technologists now have to register to practice in the state?

Because in 2009, Colorado authorities found that a surgical technician exposed thousands of patients in the state to Hepatitis C. The surgical technician, who tested positive for the disease herself prior to being hired, stole syringes filled with fentanyl from where she worked and returned them filled with saline for patient re-use.

As a result, Colorado enacted a new surgical technology jobs law requiring all surgical technologists, assistants and technicians to register with the state by April 1, 2011 before being considered for employment. Lawmakers say this will ensure that hospitals and surgery centers do not inadvertently hire surgical technologists with a criminal background or with a history of jeopardizing patient safety. Additionally, the new law will allow employers to share information with other potential healthcare employers concerning impaired work function, drug diversion, patient abuse and violent crimes.

How does a Surgical Technologist register to qualify for work in the state of Colorado?

The registration process for the new surgical technology jobs law is simple and takes only a few minutes. If you have any questions regarding surgical technologist jobs in Colorado or anywhere else in the U.S, call a Travel Force Staffing representative at 800.617.0608 or apply online today.

Travel Force Staffing^TM provides recruitment solutions for America’s top rated rehabilitation hospitals, outpatient and Rehab centers, skilled nursing facilities, and private therapy practices located in all 50 U.S. states. Our experienced team of staffing experts place physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech language pathologists, surgical technologists and per diem staff and other allied healthcare professionals into therapy careers nationwide. Contact us today at 800-617-0608 for instant access to cutting edge recruitment technology, therapy career resources, news, and information.

Required Documentation for Travel Therapy Jobs

Author Healthcare Jobs Blogger | 02.01.2011 | Category Allied Healthcare, How To's, How to Tips, Travel physical therapy jobs, physical therapist licensing, physical therapy job questions

Talk about a “frequently asked question”! Many rehabilitation therapists who are considering a travel therapy job, especially the new physical therapy graduates, ask us what kind documentation is required for traveling. There are some basic requirements for all travel therapy jobs. Plus — depending on your specialty and the facility where you’ll be working — additional documentation may be required. Your travel therapy job consultant will let you know if additional paperwork is expected as you go along. Still, you’ll make the process more efficient by gathering the paperwork listed below, and you’ll reduce any stress that comes with that last-minute scramble:

• Copies of all active state rehabilitation therapy licenses — please don’t send originals, just photocopies of your licenses — front and back. 
• Copies of your signed AHA-issued BCLS for healthcare providers
• Any other special certifications needed for your clinical area. See this list of allied professional organizations
• Legible copy of your driver’s license, color copy recommended
• A Physician Statement completed within 12 months prior to your start date. Keep in mind that it’s easier to get a signature during a doctor’s visit, so bring a statement form with you on your next appointment — even if you’re just starting your therapy job search.
• Titre results with lab values for:
  • Rubeola
  • Rubella
  • Varicella
  • Hep C, Hep B and Mumps titres may also be required, so if you have had any of these drawn, save your results.
• Documentation of annual seasonal influenza vaccine
• Documentation including implantation date, read date and mm of your last two or three PPD’s
• Respirator Fit Test. Whenever you have a respirator fit test, request a copy of the results for your records; you will need it.

Although it isn’t required once you have completed your therapist job online application and skills lists, a current resume is a very helpful addition to your file. A current resume can help us fill in some of the details about your work history, so we strongly encourage you to upload a resume when available. You’ll also want to collect the contact information from the individuals who will be serving as job references. Find a list of therapist job forms and documentation.

You can complete and fax or email any travel therapist job forms to your consultant at Travel Force’s secure fax or email address:

• secure fax #: 888-884-6510.
• secure email: documentation@travelforce.com

Securing licensure approval in a new state can take eight weeks or longer. So if you’re interested in Texas physical therapist jobs, it’s a good idea to start looking into Texas licensure ahead of time. Travel Force Staffing can help with securing licensure and licensure reimbursement for working travelers. We review the paperwork basics with experienced and first-time travel therapists alike — and we remind everyone to keep their resume and their skills lists up-to-date. Every job you take can make you a more sought-after rehab therapist. So touch base with your travel therapy agency now and again to update your skills check lists and profile. In no time at all, you’ll be happily situated in your ideal travel therapy job.

Related therapy licenses blogs

• Want a rewarding career in Physical Therapy?
• Are you ready to begin an exciting Occupational Therapist Career?
• Securing a TN Visa or E-3 Visa is a Straightforward Process to get U.S. Physical Therapists Jobs

Securing a TN Visa or E-3 Visa is a Straightforward Process to get U.S. Physical Therapists Jobs

Author Therapy Career Blogger | 10.21.2010 | Category Allied Healthcare, Career Tips, How to Tips, Occupational Therapy, Therapist Jobs, Therapy Jobs, Travel Therapist, Travel physical therapy jobs, physical therapist licensing, physical therapy, physical therapy job questions

Canadian, Mexican and Australian Rehab Graduates seeking U.S. Physical Therapists Jobs check out Travel Force’s all new career resource page to find out why…

Are you a foreign trained physical therapist who wants to get to work in a top paying therapy job with full benefits? Travel Force has a new TN Visa page worthy of your bookmark! If you are a physical therapist or occupational therapist and hold Canadian or Mexican citizenry, you are eligible for the TN Visa.

Travel Force’s Information on the TN Visa is a One-Stop Career Resource!

As a non-immigrant NAFTA Professional, your TN Visa allows you to work legally and without delay in the United States, provided you have a confirmed job offer from a U.S. employer—Travel Force is prepared to be that employer, offering visa sponsorship, in addition to a full benefits package with full-time employment. Our TN visa page is a vital career resource that links to:

• TN Visa eligibility criteria
• US Embassy and Consulate Services
• A complete list of USA state licensing authorities
• Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy (FSBPT) requirements
• Visa Credentials Assessment or VisaScreen Certificate
• TOEFL official website

TN Visa Basic Requirements: A Recap

The Travel Force TN Visa resource page says it all, but as a refresher, Canadian and Mexican PTs and OTs should expect to prove the following:

• Citizenship of Canada or Mexico
• Qualifications that meet TN Visa regulations
• A Physical Therapist or Occupational Therapist license in the state applicant intends to practice
• A confirmed full-time therapy job with a U.S. employer

What do Australian Applicants to Travel Force have to gain?

Australian nationals coming to the United States, trained in physical therapy or occupational therapy—who also hold a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent—are eligible for the E-3 Visa; introduced in 2005, it enables professionals, along with their spouses and children, to come to the US to work in a specialty occupation.

Don’t just bookmark us! Contact Travel Force today!
From Down Under, Mexico or the Canadian Rockies, your future in a competitive, high paying physical therapy or occupational therapist career is on hold until you contact a staffing expert at 800-617-0608 or Apply Online Now.

Tips for Recent Graduates Seeking Permanent or Travel Physical Therapy Jobs

Author Therapy Career Blogger | 09.15.2010 | Category Career Tips, How To's, How to Tips, Physical Therapist Education, Physical Therapist Jobs, Therapy Jobs, Top Rehab Careers, Travel Therapist, Travel physical therapy jobs, physical therapist licensing, physical therapy, rehabilitation therapy

How to get your therapist career on the fast track to success

Congratulations on completing a masters or doctorate degree in physical therapy! Now it’s time to land the perfect physical therapy job. New graduates include students with a Bachelor of Science and Masters degree, who spent part of a two-year program doing fieldwork in a clinical setting, and the Physical Therapy Doctorates—a more comprehensive three-year program that fulfills the highest standards in a clinical internship.

How far can you go as a Physical Therapist?

Those holding a Doctor of Physical Therapy Degree (DPT) from an accredited have hit the ground running. DPTs can expect to land a physical therapy job right away—even with limited experience. The rehab facility that hires a DPT will ask experienced physical therapists on staff to mentor the new recruit. These rehab facilities are likely to offer recent graduates a travel physical therapy job.

Masters level gradates can also expect a lucrative future; they are qualified to take the National Physical Therapy Exam and obtain licensure to practice in any state. Just as it is for DPTs, many healthcare employers see both permanent and travel physical therapist applicants as ideal candidates to train and provide unlimited continuing education credits (CEUs).

What makes a newly graduated physical therapist hirable?

Healthcare employers are looking for specific traits in the physical therapists they interview; the ideal candidate should be able to exhibit the skills he or she has learned during working internships or prior job experience, even if it was as an unpaid position. This much should be clear at the interview for a physical therapy job:

• Ability to multi-task
• High energy level
• Affinity for fast learning
• Ability to work independently
• Exudes self-confidence
• Possesses excellent communication skills
• Eager to heal patients
• Professional and career focused

New graduates grow their skills and expertise in physical therapy jobs, learning how to perfect and expedite their careers with clinical resources and topics that include articles like the Top 40 tips prepared for recent physical therapist graduates looking to get ahead. Physical Therapists are also encouraged to check out social media sites, like Facebook for the full scoop on job opportunities, cutting edge trends in physical therapy, and more.

How to find an ideal permanent or travel physical therapy job

Permanent physical therapy jobs offer bright futures, as there are always healthcare employers willing to train and work through learning curves. Permanent therapy jobs at Travel Force feature the opportunity to work in select specialties nationwide, with assistance from our experts that let you work in a desired location.

Life as a traveling physical therapist means you’re constantly changing things up, working in as many as four different medical facilities a year. Keeping things fast paced and new is a smart way to operate in the early stages of your physical therapy career.

When you work with Travel Force, your resume is padded with the most recognizable and well-received rehabilitation hospitals in America, where you enjoy benefits that include:

Physical Therapy Travel Career Benefits

• Top pay rates and benefits, including Free Group Health, Dental and Life Insurance
• Free Deluxe Private Housing Accommodations
• Tax advantage plan - Travel Force’s tax advantage plan allows you to take home increased pay. Therapists who qualify for the plan may increase their take home pay and benefits by as much as 15%. Meals and incidentals offered.
• Referral Bonuses - Earn even more when you refer a friend or colleague to Travel Force Staffing
• 401(k) Retirement plan
• Travel Reimbursement plan
• Professional Liability Insurance and Worker’s Compensation Insurance
• Licensure Reimbursement
• Free CE Online Courses

Why new grads need an expert staffing partner

Successful job searches begin with a Joint Commission Certified agency, like Travel Force Staffing, offering immediate access to physical therapy career resources. In order to practice physical therapy in the state of your choice, you’ll need to apply for licensure within that state. Travel Force helps experienced graduates by explaining what state physical therapy boards expect when it comes to licensure and certifications.

Travel Force Staffing offers:

• Travel and permanent physical therapy jobs that meet your objectives
• A variety of medical settings, including large outpatient centers
• The ability to set your own pace.
• Exposure to other physical therapists who welcome recent graduates
• Top compensation and earnings for new and experienced physical therapists

Apply with Travel Force Staffing today and start your physical therapy job search immediately. We have physical therapist jobs ready to fill now! Call us now at 800-617-0608 or Apply Online Now.

Speech Language Pathologists are Hearing a lot about Noise - Induced Hearing Loss in Teens

Author Therapy Career Blogger | 09.08.2010 | Category Allied Healthcare, Career Tips, How to Tips, Speech Language Pathologist, Therapist Jobs, Therapy Jobs, rehabilitation therapy

Get hearing loss prevention tips (for every age!) here

Speech language pathologists know that the slightest degree of hearing loss can affect language development and learning; of course, these therapists would rather see lower statistics on this, than a packed waiting room at the Rehabilitation Hospital where hearing problems—usually in one ear and growing steadily worse—are the health issue du jour among teenaged patients.

For those in Speech Language Pathologist Jobs, a recent study conducted by the American Medical Association is grabbing notice. The study compared national surveys from the early 90s up to the mid 2000s and showed one in five teens, age 12 to 19, have some degree of hearing loss.

Hearing Loss Cause

Noise-Induced Hearing Loss is largely to blame, with the ipod and MP3s—hot commodities among young consumers—cited as a contributing factor. Speech language pathologists believe it is not uncommon for teens to underestimate how much noise they are exposed to, dismissing their music as anything but (noise).

The study’s research, due to appear in the Journal of The American Medical Association is discussed in a recently publicized article at the American-Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA), an excellent resource for conscientious speech language pathologists.

Their concern makes perfect sense. Because this problem affects the community at a family level, it’s worth providing hearing loss prevention tips to the general public, as well as practitioners of speech language pathology. In the past, in honor of May, Better Speech and Hearing Month, we’ve provided information that helps the individual determine if he’s suffering from hearing loss; this post hopes to nip it in the bud.

Travel Force uses its blog and other resources to help speech language pathologists stay one step ahead of current trends in the healthcare marketplace—our quick links to Speech Therapy Associations in every state, is worth your bookmark. We strongly suggest you sign up to receive regular updates from the speech therapy association in your state of employ. ASHA is likewise committed to providing refreshers, like this one, on safe noise levels for the general public.

Hearing loss prevention tips

A good rule of thumb is to keep any source of noise no higher than 85 decibels (dB), and be advised that portable music players can produce sound far above that level, capable of ranges from 60 to 120 decibels. The result of turning the volume of an ipod approximately one-quarter of the way up is about 85dB—a noise level that doesn’t lead to hearing loss, provided listeners limit their time using this and similar devices. Even at full volume, listeners using digital music players can safely enjoy one or two songs at a time.

The following are time frames spent at certain noise levels and what they are equivalent to:

• 12 hrs @ 85dB - (equivalent to motor boat)
• 8 hrs @ 90dB - (equivalent to lawnmower)
• 4 hrs @ 95dB - (equivalent to motorcycle)
• 2 hrs @ 100dB - (equivalent to snowmobile)
• 1 hr @ 105 dB - (equivalent to chain saw)
• 30 min @ 110 dB - (equivalent to rock concert, arcade)
• 15 min @ 115 dB - (equivalent to movie theater, health clubs)

Speech language pathologists know how important it is to make a lasting impression on the general public, by reminding them that no age group is immune to Noise-Induced Hearing Loss; it affects some 30 million people, the majority of whom damage their hearing while at work.

Already, 10 million Americans have permanently damaged their hearing. Before it’s 10 million and one, pass on hearing loss prevention tips that impact speech language pathology jobs; apply online or call 800-617-0608 today. You could make a difference worth shouting about… just keep your enthusiasm at the right decibel!

Attention, Foreign Educated Physical Therapists Seeking State Licensure Information

Author Therapy Career Blogger | 08.27.2010 | Category Allied Healthcare, Career Tips, How to Tips, Physical Therapist Jobs, physical therapist licensing, physical therapy

Travel Force has Physical Therapist License Requirements for all 50 U.S. states!

Recently, Travel Force posted a website resource that is receiving rave reviews. We call it our Go-to Guide for Foreign Educated physical therapists. It addresses the specific needs of non-U.S. born job seekers, looking to meet state licensure requirements in America’s 50 states for physical therapist careers.

Our Go-to Guide supplies qualified job seekers, educated in countries outside the U.S., including Canada and Mexico, direct links to state Physical Therapy Boards, applications and instructions for meeting US physical therapist license requirements in the nation’s leading destinations for allied healthcare careers.

Recruiting experts at Travel Force decided to expand this information, so that it includes the entire U.S.A.!

Visit Travel Force’s new career resource page today for foreign trained physical therapist license information in all 50 states. The information provided is detailed and comprehensive; it lets the foreign trained physical therapist instantly access licensing information, answers to frequently asked questions, detailed instructions, application forms and packets. Most applications may be submitted online.

Additionally, this career resource for foreign educated physical therapists includes direct links to the premier credentials evaluation agency, the Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy (FCCPT), accepted and encouraged by a majority of U.S. states. Our new career resource cites, also, the importance the majority of U.S. states place on graduation from schools approved by the Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE).

What else can foreign trained physical therapists expect to benefit from this comprehensive guide found in Travel Force’s long list of valuable career resources? We are happy to report that—because each state differs in its laws and approaches to obtaining a physical therapy license—a specific detail that helps set that state apart; by providing advanced notice of what to expect in a certain state, the physical therapist is better prepared to make application there without error, quickly and efficiently. See some examples below:

Did you know?

• Foreign educated physical therapists seeking licensure in Florida are no longer required to submit proof of English proficiency?

Or that

• In Louisiana no physical therapist may practice without first obtaining a temporary permit?

Foreign educated professionals seeking physical therapy jobs in America are going to find that, in many U.S. states, unique rules apply for meeting requirements set by individual state Physical Therapy Boards and, fortunately, Travel Force covers them all.

Don’t forget to check out the foreign trained physical therapy license page at Travel Force today—where we supply talented physical therapists, of all nationalities, with everything they need to meet state board requirements and hit the ground running in the physical therapy career of their dreams—WHEREVER their ambition decides to take them.

Therapy Career Resources for Foreign PTs—your Go-To Guide

Author Therapy Career Blogger | 07.23.2010 | Category Allied Healthcare, Career Tips, How To's, How to Tips, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapist Jobs, Respiratory Therapy, Therapist Jobs, Therapy Jobs, Travel Therapist, physical therapist licensing, physical therapy, physical therapy job questions

Foreign PT License Requirements and FAQ’s you should bookmark!

Were you trained for a physical therapy career outside of the United States, and looking for a therapy job here? If yes, welcome to our Go-To guide, featuring information on the Top 10 states for physical therapy careers, as well as direct links to state licensure applications.

Top 10 States for PTs
You’ll note some states’ pages for foreign PTs answer frequently asked questions, while others route the foreign trained physical therapist directly to an online application, instructions for obtaining licensure or all of the above. Every state is slightly different in its approach, but the bottom line is the same: qualified applicants who meet state licensing authority criteria enjoy rewarding and high paying physical therapy careers!

California: The Physical Therapy Board of California assists foreign educated Physical Therapist graduates from accredited and non-accredited programs. You’ll note that this state’s page gives a shortlist of what you’ll need to get in order before you apply, plus a direct link to an online application.

Colorado: The Colorado Division of Registrations provides an online application and instructions on how to take the NPTE exam; it also lists basic requirements for foreign trained Physical Therapist licensure.

Florida: The Florida Department of Health answers FAQs for Foreign Trained Applicants and an “Apply for a license” link that helps you get started.

Iowa: The Iowa Department of Public Health’s Physical Therapist licensure information is the same for foreign and domestic applicants on the online application.

Illinois: The Division for Professional Registration handles licensure for all applicants, both domestic and foreign trained in physical therapy careers; this site does not provide a specific page intended for foreign trained PTs; however, they do provide contact information for sources who can answer your questions.

Massachusetts: The Office of Consumer Affairs and Business Regulation states that graduates of foreign physical therapy programs may be eligible for licensure in MA, but that the Board accepts only the evaluations prepared by the FCCPT

Maryland: The Maryland Board of Physical Therapy Examiners provides detailed instructions for foreign trained Physical Therapist applicants; you’ll notice two different licensure links for foreign PTs; one for “Licensure by Examination” and one for “Licensure by Endorsement”. You will also note this state accepts evaluation credentials sent by the FCCPT.

Ohio: The Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy and Athletic Trainers Board provides an online application for licensure as a PT or PTA, with instructions for foreign applicants on the PT applicant page.

Texas:  The Executive Council of Physical Therapy & Occupational Therapy Examiners provides instructions for foreign trained physical therapist applicants; they provide, on this page, an “Apply for a License Now” link.

Washington:  The Washington State Department of Health reviews all applications for Physical Therapist licensure, domestic and foreign trained, and provides a “packet” of all the materials you will need to work in Washington physical therapy jobs.

Working in Physical Therapy Assistant Jobs
For foreign students of physical therapy, the process of obtaining licensure is more difficult for PTAs (physical therapy assistants) than it is PTs—we covered the reason in a related press release, but you’ll want to read on for direct links to therapy career resources that exist to help you transcend this minor obstacle. Just do the following, in the following order, and you’ll soon be working in physical therapy assistant jobs:

Complete all educational requirements to become a Physical Therapist Assistant

• Apply for the National Physical Therapy Assistant Examination (NPTAE), pass it, then successfully take the National Physical Therapy Examination

And

• Apply for a student visa (F1 Visa) and then apply to accredited Physical Therapist Schools; Canadian physical therapists can work on a non-immigrant NAFTA Professional (TN) visa
• After you complete your education and prior to graduation, apply for Optional Practical Training (OPT), which allows you to work in the U.S. for up to one year.

Commonalities Shared by State Licensing Boards
Foreign trained applicants should have the following items in order before applying for state licensure:

• Social Security Numbers: you can apply for licensure and take the exam prior to getting a social security number; however, you will need the S-S-N prior to receiving your license.
• iBT TOEFL: a passing score on this test proves you are proficient in English. Minimum score required is 89, as well as accompanying minimum scores in the test’s four components: 24 in writing; 26 in speaking; 21 in reading comprehension; and 18 in listening comprehension
• A letter: from the applicant’s university stating that at the time the student received their first degree the language of instruction was English.
• Requirements for Credential Evaluations: Once you pass the NPTE exam, you must prove your education is on par with state standards.
• The Foreign Credentialing Commission on Physical Therapy (FCCPT): This non-profit organization assists many foreign trained PTs in showing their educational credentials are equivalent to current standards in the United States. See if your state board of physical therapy will work with them.

Remember that using therapy career resources, like each relevant link in this blog, can help you get to work fast!  For the foreign trained, as well as every professional working in travel physical therapy jobs, we wish you great luck in your new home!

Footnote: Some online physical therapy career resources cited here were taken from The Rehab License Network, which was created with the goal of making allied healthcare licensing information easier to obtain and/or maintain for rehab professionals.

Physical Therapy Career Advancement Tips

Author Therapy Career Blogger | 06.10.2010 | Category Allied Healthcare, Career Tips, How to Tips, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapist Jobs, Respiratory Therapy, Therapist Jobs, Therapist Jobs Postings, Therapy Jobs, Travel Therapist, Travel physical therapy jobs, physical therapist licensing, physical therapy, physical therapy job questions, rehabilitation therapy

How to activate your job search

Physical therapy careers come in all shapes and sizes; some PTs travel from one assignment to the next, while others hold permanent positions. There are seasoned therapists earning close to—or topping—six figure salaries, and others just beginning a physical therapy career with nowhere to go but up.

No matter where you are in your physical therapy career, the job search is everything—particularly if you’re looking to make a positive change. Travel Force offers therapy career resources that help you launch the ideal job search, matching your career skills and education to the very best physical therapy jobs.

Our physical therapy network can supply the perfect job match. Search from the best allied healthcare careers America has to offer by clicking on the Activate your Job Search Agent for the fastest results.

By activating a job search, you can choose from existing positions and get your first pick of well-paid, highly compensated physical therapy jobs, virtually anywhere and everywhere in North America. You specify the city, whether your interest is in a permanent and/or travel physical therapist job and take your pick among a wide variety of possibilities. If a job is not available in the exact location you wish, we will seek out a plum position on your behalf to meet your job requests in the next best location.

The Job Search Agent is for  physical therapy careers and allied healthcare jobs in all professions:

• Physical Therapy
• Physical Therapy Assistant
• Occupational Therapy
• COTA
• Pulmonary
• Respiratory Therapy
• Polysomnographer
• Diagnostic Imaging
• Medical Laboratory
• Radiation Oncology

Get started today and we will have you on the road to professional and financial success! The great thing about letting a #1 therapist staffing agency help you advance in your physical therapy career is that you’ll be working in an expert allied healthcare staffing organization. We comply with Joint Commission policies that ensure the education, licensing, training and work experience of our team has been verified inside and out.

Our expertise is  anticipating  every possible question regarding physical therapy careers; check out this link and physical therapy job questions about what to expect straight out of school with a DPT.

We cover these topics regarding successful physical therapy careers as well:

• Top Physical Therapy Certifications by Specialty
• Physical Therapy Job FAQs every working and/or aspiring PT should know
• Therapy career resources -get links to licensing boards, blogs, social media sites and more

As a physical therapist, you’ve worked hard to stay current on the latest technologies, marked your calendar with events that help you network (i.e. the APTA Conference), and absorbed Top 40 PT career tips that let you connect with your patients in ways that benefit them beyond recovering independence and mobility.

The great thing about a physical therapy career—deemed not just a job, but a lifestyle—is that career advancement doesn’t stop once you’re hired. Our therapy career resources place no limits on how high your star might rise professionally—look to Travel Force for all your physical therapy career advancement and career planning needs.

We’ve got you covered from the time you first sit down to interview, from the time you sit down to enjoy your retirement!

Physical Therapy Jokes: Join the Humor-in-Hospitals Movement!

Author Therapy Career Blogger | 05.25.2010 | Category Career Tips, How To's, How to Tips, Physical Therapist Jobs, Therapist Jobs, Therapy Jobs, humor-in-hospitals movement, physical therapy, physical therapy humor, rehabilitation therapy

Physical therapists are devoted to improving their patients’ quality of life, which means that professionals trained to succeed in their physical therapy jobs must possess the ability to empathize and sympathize; basically, to connect with patients on an emotional level. Since physical therapist jobs are fun and hands on, the sheer nature of the job—how it lends itself to social discussions as you work one-on-one with patients—puts you more than half way there when it comes to establishing rapport.

The good news is you don’t have to perfect your stand-up routine to utilize humor with patients. We have tips for jumping on the Humor-in Hospitals band wagon (cart) even if you’re missing the actual humor cart some medical facilities are using.  Click here for advice on how to create a hospital humor cart of your own.

Cart or no cart, physical therapy jokes don’t have to be jokes at all; they can be funny stories or even observations about what’s on TV—so long as you show your patients you share a mutual interest, hobby, or have something small in common, the potential for laughter is there—as well as the invaluable assurance that patients look forward to seeing you when you’re on call.

And why would physical therapy jokes or attempts at physical therapist/patient warmth qualify as a valuable career resource?

Because it’s the responsibility of physical therapists to provide pain management that lessons the patient’s discomfort. Laughter won’t alleviate pain, but it will provide the temporary benefit of distraction while physical therapists get pain management under control.

It’s true that the clinical skills and knowledge you learned in physical therapy schools are the biggest piece of the puzzle in improving patient mobility and independent function, but the ability to create warmth in doctor/patient rapport is important too; having realized this, more and more hospitals are filling humor and “ha-ha carts” with magazines, funny props—even water pistols.

The medical community has yet to produce definitive research that laughter is literally the best medicine, but studies—like one conducted by the University of Maryland—did discover laughter has some positive physiological benefits.  A good long laugh is equivalent to a couple minutes of cardiovascular exercise. Our pulse and blood pressure go up, we stretch muscles throughout our bodies and we breathe faster—sending more oxygen to our tissues. So bring on the funny jokes and funny stories in your physical therapy jobs!

The bottom line? Laughter is harmless. Physical therapists should hone their sense of humor, beef up their funny stories and funny jokes repertoire and make brightening a patient’s day part of their everyday work detail. When a patient smiles, it’s proof that their quality of life—what physical therapists help give back—is returning!

Footnote:

Interested in learning more from experts on how to use humor for your personal and/or career development? Click on the Humor Project to find pubic speaking events, featuring topics like humor in chronic illness, team building with humor, and the mirthful approach to excellence on the job. There’s no reason why the effort couldn’t translate into excellence in your physical therapy jobs too!