Official Therapist Blog

10 Reasons to Switch to Travel Therapy Jobs

Author Therapy Career Blogger | 08.25.2011 | Category Allied Healthcare, Career Tips, Continuing Education Units (CEU), Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapist Education, Speech Language Pathologist, Therapist Jobs, Therapy Jobs, Top Rehab Careers, Travel Therapist, Travel physical therapy jobs, physical therapist licensing, physical therapy, physical therapy job questions, rehabilitation therapy, therapy job bonus

Allied healthcare professionals, drawn to new cultures, climates and the travel done in between, covet high paying occupational and physical therapy jobs offered by prestigious staffing agencies. If you’re looking to take your therapy career to the next level, one that offers a competitive salary, free luxury private housing and more, please do read on!

Checklist: 10 Reasons to Switch to Travel Therapy Jobs

1. Travel therapy jobs let your inner-traveler go beyond guidebooks: Sites and attractions are to be enjoyed at your sole discretion and leisure. It’s not like you’re the average tourist, trying to cram everything into one vacation.
2. Staffing consultants work closely with every therapist. Thanks to VIP customer care, you tailor your own therapist career, living where you want, working the hours that suit you best.
3. Continuing Education is free. Advance in your therapist career from the comfort of your laptop. We have hundreds of online classes to choose from! See some of the  Free CE online courses
4. These therapy jobs are flexible! If you fall in love with a city during your therapy job, you can easily arrange to extend that position or find a permanent therapist job in your desired city.
5. Free private housing is located in a prime location. Live in apartments with amenities that encourage exercise (i.e. pools and gyms) and are either very close to your travel therapy job or located next to public transportation.
6. Get a bonus when you refer a therapist! Be sure to refer a colleague who loves the idea of a travel therapist lifestyle too.  See current travel therapy jobs bonuses.
7. Company matched 401(k) and travel reimbursements come with every travel therapy job. Once you peruse the Travel Force benefits package, you’ll want to sign on!
8. Accepting a travel therapy job means lightening your load. A consultant handles the particulars; the only thing you must do is ace your job interview, pack your belongings and get on the road. Deciding what the essentials are rids your life of clutter. See basic travel therapy job documentation needed to get started
9. Making plans for your future has never been this fun. Formulate a list of “Must-See places” before embarking on your new therapy career. Cram your glove compartment with maps and guidebooks. It’s a great opportunity for graduate physical therapists coming out of college.
10. You build confidence by working in more than just one facility. Increase your ability to adapt, acclimate and thrive in travel therapy jobs.

Travel Force Staffing Professionals Help You Learn to Travel Light

Allied healthcare professionals love travel therapy jobs because they are flexible, challenging, and offer great career benefits and pay when compared to permanent positions. Travel therapy jobs allow you to be the architect of where you work and for how long—rest assured our SLP jobs, physical and occupational therapy jobs are in America’s best hospitals; 80% of our affiliates appear in a top rated list, published consistently in U.S. News & World Report. Remember our checklist of why becoming a travel therapist is a brilliant move. You want to travel light, even if a decision like this is seldom made lightly—that is exactly why you need an expert staffing agency to help you take the plunge.

Travel Force Staffing 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.

Occupational Therapists May Still Register for the 91st Annual AOTA Conference in Philly!

Author Therapy Career Blogger | 04.08.2011 | Category Allied Healthcare, Career Tips, Continuing Education Units (CEU), Fun Events, Locations, Monthly Events, Occupational Therapy, Occupational Therapy Month - April

Get AOTA Conference Registration and Event Information Here

Occupational therapists in the northeastern part of the United States are close to the networking and expo action, brought by the AOTA Annual Conference in Pennsylvania this year. There’s still plenty of time to register! Just report to the Grand Hall of the Philadelphia Convention Center where the conference will be held, April 14-17. This AOTA Conference link connects you with registration times and fees, and encourages registration as early as Wednesday, April 13, 2011; online registration has already ended.

Visit Philly and Earn Free CE Credits Along the Way!

For therapists in Pennsylvania occupational therapy jobs, the conference is a special opportunity to make the “hop-skip-and a jump away trip”, into one of the country’s best cities for a better look at its beauty, history and fine spring weather—all the while gathering invaluable professional networking and exposure to what is cutting edge in allied healthcare today. Another plus? Occupational therapists earn free continuing education credits by participating!

This Conference: Occupational Therapy in High Def

The 2011 theme is “Occupational Therapy in High Definition”, celebrating the hard work of tens of thousands of OTs who add their clarity, intensity and effectiveness to what patients see, understand and experience in treatment. “OT in HD” resonates, as it comes during the month of April, which has been National Occupational Therapy Month for decades.

Your AOTA Program Guide, Plus Best Hotels for Occupational Therapists

Get the full scoop on special events, sessions, networking opportunities and more by visiting the AOTA program guide. Plug into travel information on the conference site, with AAA or go online to secure a special hotel rate, offered by several four-star Philadelphia hotels. Check in at the AOTA Conference homepage for more interesting details and resources that let you plan the perfect, and most beneficial trip possible.

Do Your Occupational Therapy Career a Favor!

Put the American Occupational Therapy Association’s slogan about living life to its fullest to the ultimate test, by calling Travel Force at 1-800-617-0608 or apply online today!

Travel Force Staffing™ 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, per diem staff and other allied healthcare professionals into therapy careers nationwide. Contact us today for instant access to cutting edge recruitment technology, therapy career resources, news, and information.

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.

2010 Physical Therapy Association Calendar Packed with PT Events

Author Therapy Career Blogger | 05.10.2010 | Category Allied Healthcare, Career Tips, Certifications, Continuing Education Units (CEU), Fun Events, Monthly Events, Ongoing Education, Physical Therapist Jobs, Therapist Jobs, Therapy Jobs, Travel Therapist, Traveling Therapist, physical therapy, rehabilitation therapy

Continuing to grow and improve your skills as a PT takes time and dedication. Of course, you’ll learn a lot from your physical therapy jobs; but you’ll also want to attend as many physical therapy seminars as possible, to stay up on the latest trends in healthcare.

Luckily, The American Physical Therapy Association is a great resource for physical therapists. The association’s events calendar is jam-packed with interesting and informative activities, including the annual conference, as well as physical therapy seminars in everything from pediatrics, to geriatrics, to specific parts of the body (e.g., shoulders and feet).

Here’s a sampling of the physical therapy events on the 2010 events calendar, listed chronologically:

Pharmacology for Physical Therapists

• May 22-23
• Chapel Hill, NC
• Description: Study the effect of drug actions on the major body systems, problems of drug interaction, and variables that modify their effects.

Annual Conference

• June 16-19
• Boston, MA
• Description: This annual gathering for the Physical Therapy Association has everything the practicing physical therapist could wish: seminars, networking, discussions, and, of course, socializing with your fellow PTs.

Screening for Medical Referral: The Pediatric Client Birth to Six Years

• July 10-11
• Valhalla, NY
• Description: Course emphasizes taking a history for the pediatric patient and using evidence to screen and review the cardiovascular, pulmonary, gastrointestinal, neuromuscular, musculoskeletal, urogenital, and integumentary systems for infants, toddlers through the use of case studies.

Biomechanics, Examination, and Selected Interventions for Foot Disorders

• July 17-18
• Portland, OR
• Description: The biomechanics of the foot and ankle with normal and abnormal motion during walking will be evaluated especially in relation to lower extremity dysfunction and the physical examination of the foot.

Women’s Health-Men’s Health: What All PTs Need to Know

• Sept. 11-12
• Burlington, NC
• Description: Gender and sex differences are presented using an evidence-based, body systems approach that illustrates how the unique characteristics associated with sex/gender matter across physical therapy practice settings.

Evidence-Based Assessment, Examination & Rehabilitation Interventions in the Medically Complex Older Adult

• Sept. 25-26
• Somerville, NJ

Examination and Selected Interventions: Lower Extremity: Hip, Knee, and Ankle

• Nov. 6-7
• Jacksonville, FL
• Description: Course is designed to integrate a comprehensive clinical examination with selected manual therapy interventions for the hip, knee, and ankle.

In addition, there are several physical therapy seminars and conferences for specific disciplines scheduled around the country, such as:

The American Society of Hand Therapists Annual Meeting

• June 23
• Orlando, Florida
• Description: Meeting theme “Best Practice in Hand Therapy.”

Aquatic Section Summit

• Oct. 6-8
• Colorado Springs, CO
• Description: Conference of the APTA’s Aquatic Physical Therapy Section will coincide with World Aquatic Health Conference. Note: e-seminars will be available at this event.

Gait Analysis Seminars

• June 5-6, Tempe, AZ
• Nov. 6-7, New York, NY
• Description: For gait and foot-function specialists: Learn how in-shoe pressure mapping technology is used to analyze foot function and gait by revealing what the eye cannot see.

These are just a few of the numerous choices for physical therapy seminars and PT events around. With physical therapy jobs from Travel Force, you may very well find yourself on assignment in an area that is featuring one or more of these physical therapy seminars and conferences. In which case, you’ll certainly be in the right place at the right time!

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!

Physical Therapists Working with Recovering Arthroscopic Surgery Patients …

Author Therapy Career Blogger | 03.03.2010 | Category Ellen Bloome-PT, Locations, Medical/Surgical, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapist Jobs, Therapist Jobs, Top Therapy Blogs, physical therapy

Knowing more about new tools in medical robotics is a help.

Arthroscopic surgery means allowing a surgeon to repair or remove tissue from a joint with virtually no disruption to other critical parts. The surgery is achieved via insertion of microscopic instruments and camera through the portal of an incredibly small incision site. Sufficed to say, surgeon careers are changing in the new millennium—and most medical professionals, including those in therapist jobs agree those changes are positive and exciting.

Arthroscopic procedures are monitored on a television screen, and to laypeople and healthcare professionals alike, it sounds like the stuff of science fiction. Physical and occupational therapists that work with recovering surgical patients, understand that sci fi or no, arthroscopic operations are stories that generally end well.

Here’s why. Patients benefit from this procedure because they are at a substantially lowered risk for blood loss and infection; as ideal as an arthroscopic procedure can be, there is, however, room for improvement, especially in the area of arthroscopic surgeries on the hip joint.  Mechanical engineers, like Emily Geist are working now, in a collaborative effort with engineers at Carnegie Mellon, to ensure patients like Ellen Bloome, PT continue to receive, should they need one, successful arthroscopic surgeries in the future.

To better understand what warrants further research on arthroscopic surgeries to the hip joint, therapists may be the first to point out what a tricky place in the human body the hip joint resides. Says Geist, “The hip is a lot deeper in the body than the knee or the shoulder, and it’s a lot tighter. The hip has a ball and a socket. It’s a little more difficult to get an instrument in there. There is a navigation challenge often times when you are that deep in the body.”

Luckily, there are mechanical engineers working with surgeons, that can navigate that challenge, as evidenced in a recent article about computer aided arthroscopy becoming the wave of the future—for therapists who love a good career enhancing read, please click here to learn more about some of the inspiration and research behind medical robotics. It’s all fascinating stuff, and, who knows, it could lead to future therapist jobs at a top rehab hospital—check out Colorado Therapist Jobs to further that possibility and earn up to 20% more!

Does nurse scheduling software deliver the same benefits to rehab facilities?

Author Healthcare Jobs Blogger | 01.07.2010 | Category Allied Healthcare, Nursing, Therapist Jobs, rehabilitation therapy

Find out how to fill vacant PT jobs without using the high cost of temporary agency personnel.

Hospitals Report Web-Based Nurse Scheduling Software  Reduces the High Cost of Agency Staffing. In addition, self-scheduling software utilizes internal staff to boost fill rates:

Facilities of all sizes utilize web based software to fill open PT, OT, and SLP jobs. What is Web-Based Software?

It is an Internet-based platform that can be accessed from any PC or mobile Internet device. This Internet platform enables employees to self-schedule 24/7, 365 days a year and healthcare management to more effectively plan for census fluctuations, tracks documentation and provides labor analysis in real-time format.

Read more about nurse scheduling software

Continuing Education for Therapists

Author Healthcare Jobs Blogger | 11.02.2009 | Category Allied Healthcare, Certifications, Continuing Education Units (CEU), Occupational Therapy, Respiratory Therapy, Therapist Jobs, Therapy Jobs, Travel Therapist, Traveling Therapist, physical therapist licensing, physical therapy, rehabilitation therapy

Continuing education classes are an important part of professional development. As health care providers, it is important to stay current on the newest developments and trends in your field. Finding the time and opportunity to benefit from continuing education classes can be tough, however. To help their clients, Travel Force offers a number of therapist continuing education online classes at no cost to you. Travel Force offers a broad range of free professional development courses for physical therapists, occupational therapists, and respiratory therapists. Physical therapists can take courses in anything from functional knee bracing for sports to Hepatitis C. Occupational therapists might be interested in preparing professional presentations or cultural competence. Respiratory therapists can find classes on sleep apnea or the respiratory effects of cocaine, among many more.

Not only is continuing education important for your individual professional growth, it is often a requirement for state licensure renewal. Specific details and requirements vary from state to state, and so it is important for therapists to be aware of the licensure requirements for their state and their specific needs. Contact your state licensing board with any questions you may have about your specific continuing education requirements and needs. In Florida, for example, occupational therapists must complete a total of 26 hours before 2011, but certain classes, such as Prevention of Medical Error and Florida Law, are specifically required. Make sure you are well aware of your requirements.

If there are Travel Force courses in which you are interested, contact your state licensing board for approval. Most Travel Force courses are designed for approval in Florida, Illinois, New Jersey, Ohio, and Texas, but even these states may have specific regulations. Once you have received approval from the state board, contact your Travel Force recruiter to get started.

For more information about continuing education or any other Travel Force travel therapy job benefits, visit their website or apply online now.

Physical Therapist Licensing Between States

Author Healthcare Jobs Blogger | 09.29.2009 | Category Allied Healthcare, Certifications, Continuing Education Units (CEU), Occupational Therapy, Respiratory Therapy, Therapist Jobs, Therapy Jobs, Travel Therapist, Traveling Therapist, physical therapist licensing, physical therapy, rehabilitation therapy

The nature of the travel therapist job is to move around and work in a number of sites and states. It’s the perfect job for an adventurer: see the country, meet new people, and get great benefits like a competitive salary, free private housing, and free continuing education classes.

“It is important to be aware of the process of licensure and to plan for it; it should never be seen as a hindrance, just a necessity that needs to be taken care of for all allied professionals. Travel Therapists who keep good records, applications updated and who work closely with their Recruiters and licensing boards to follow up on their application status find the process to be painless,” said Vice President of Recruitment , Mary Kay Hull, of Travel Force Staffing.

Most states do not offer reciprocity for those already licensed in another area of the country. Each state has different physical therapy licensing requirements, and applicants must meet the specific requirements of each state in which they’d like to be licensed. States do have an endorsement policy, which generally means that applicants must meet the state physical therapy licensing requirements, but they might not need to take the National Physical Therapy Examination again if they can provide the correct documentation.

A representative from the Colorado Physical Therapy Licensure Division of Registrations gave details about the endorsement process. All applicants must submit an application and fee, along with verification from all states in which they have been registered, including proof of at least one active license. Applicants who have been practicing for fewer than two years must have test scores sent in, and applicants with more than two years of experience must provide documentation that they have practiced for two of the previous five years.

While the lack of reciprocity makes licensing a bit more taxing than most physical therapists and travel therapists would like, rest assured that there are resources out there.  Travel Force Staffing  representatives walk you through the licensing process as you begin your travel therapy career, and Travel Force reimburses clients for their licensing and credentialing fees. Apply now to work with a Travel Force recruiter.

To find out about physical therapy licensing requirements in a specific state, visit The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy for a complete list of websites and phone numbers for every U.S. state.

Healthcare Jobs on the Rise

Author Healthcare Jobs Blogger | 07.10.2009 | Category Allied Healthcare, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Registered Nurses, Respiratory Therapy, Therapist Jobs, Therapy Jobs, Travel Therapist, Traveling Therapist, Videos, physical therapy, rehabilitation therapy

Watch video from the Early Show where Consumer correspondent, Susan Koeppen, answers viewers’ questions on state lemon laws, community supported agriculture and insulated job sectors.