Official Therapist Blog

Virtual Reality Games Provide Pain Distraction for Burn Victims During Therapy

Author Therapy Career Blogger | 01.04.2011 | Category Allied Healthcare, Career Tips, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapist Jobs, Physical Therapy, Product Reviews, Rehabilitation Therapy, Therapist Jobs, Therapy Jobs, Top Therapy Blogs, Travel Therapist, Video, Videos

Texas rehab therapy jobs are getting more interesting, thanks to headline news from Shriners Hospitals in Galveston, where the virtual reality game, SnowWorld, is being used during physical and occupational therapy sessions for burn victims. The rehab hospital, on the map for providing total burn care to children for decades, is taking part in a study funded by the National Institutes of Health; it examines the effects of pain distraction and its positive impact on pain tolerance. The medium supplying this welcomed distraction? Virtual reality games!

To date, the results have been both very positive and encouraging. SnowWorld—in use and viewable in the video below —calms patients, reduces their pain and allows them to complete more rigorous and productive therapy regimes with their PTs and OTs, compared with patients who did not use the virtual reality game during therapy.

Patients in Pediatric Rehabilitation Hospitals Experience Better Therapy Sessions with Virtual Reality

The interesting thing to note about SnowWorld is that, unlike other virtual reality games, it lacks characters, detailed storylines or complicated rules; patients simply lie back and have fun with it—the game’s creators describe it as being totally immersed in a cool, virtual world proven to temporarily alter pain receptors in the patient’s brain, thus distracting them from the more grueling aspects of occupational and physical therapy.

Because occupational therapists and physical therapists provide these patients with the exercises they need to help retain skin elasticity and avoid multiple surgeries, they can fully appreciate a virtual reality game like SnowWorld, and look forward to the pain distraction it provides—not only as a way to get patients more excited about working together, but as a way to accomplish their goals faster and with less resistance.

Work in Texas Physical Therapy Jobs at Rehab Hospitals with Cutting-Edge Technology

With world-renowned rehabilitation hospitals employing virtual reality and enjoying its success, Texas physical therapy jobs for allied health professionals are using advanced technology in their physical and occupational therapy careers—these are lucrative professions in high demand and continue to climb as we enter the new year of 2011.

Call Travel Force today at 1-800-617-0608 or apply online, for all the best opportunities in top ranking rehabilitation hospitals nationwide.

Travel Force Staffing® provides therapist 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.

Healthcare Staffing Jobs Spike Creates Record Breaking Demand for Occupational and Physical Therapists

Author Therapy Career Blogger | 12.15.2010 | Category Allied Healthcare, Career Tips, Monthly Events, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapist Jobs, Physical Therapy, Therapist Jobs, Therapist Jobs Postings, Therapy Jobs, Top Rehab Careers, Travel physical therapy jobs

Despite a recession that ended in June 2009, physical and occupational therapy jobs are more in demand than ever, according to statistics supplied by the government think tank, The Conference Board. Current data shows allied healthcare careers are in the top 10 when it comes to online advertised vacancies; the rise includes physical therapists, registered nurses and occupational therapists, and was first noted during the month of October, recording swelling job growth for PTs, OTs and R.N.s that meant vacancies outnumbered applicants by 2 to 1!

Travel Force Staffing is Proud to Be Part of the Growing Demand for Physical and Occupational Therapists. We Offer Therapy Jobs in All 50 U.S. States!

Today, 40 out of 50 states are posting gains jobs for qualified therapists nationwide. In addition to healthcare staffing at top ranking rehabilitation and teaching hospitals, Travel Force has an abundance of positions in outpatient clinics, nursing centers and home health jobs. Physical therapy job candidates have their choice of desired location in the healthcare setting of their choice

Which States are Most Promising for Occupational and Physical Therapy Jobs?

When you work for Travel Force, our recruiters take you wherever you want to go, and help you adapt when you get there. Some of our best therapist jobs are located:

Out West: California therapy jobs offer a wealth of career opportunities to occupational therapists and physical therapists; in fact, the Golden State contributed the largest number of job vacancies this October, followed closely by online job vacancy increases in Arizona and Colorado therapy jobs.
The Midwest: Increases in demand for healthcare practitioners soared by thousands of new online job postings in Illinois therapy jobs, Michigan therapy jobs, as well as countless high paying allied healthcare job offerings in Wisconsin.
The South: the largest surges in healthcare and other niche professions rose highest in Georgia and Texas. Florida therapy jobs, plentiful because of a dense senior population, remain unchanged.
Outside Continental U.S.: Ranked second highest in the nation for Supply/Demand, Hawaii therapy jobs are worth exploring!
The Northeast: Massachusetts therapy jobs posted a huge surge, in the midst of other New England states that either dropped in employment or posted modest gains.

November, 2010 Also Provided an Excellent Outlook in Job Availability for Physical and Occupational Therapists

According to recent reports by Healthcare Finance News, employment for those in medical fields increased by approximately 19,200 jobs this November. The Bureau of Labor Statistics weighed in on the report, stating that the most concentrated healthcare employment gains were in hospitals, followed by ambulatory care, outpatient hospitals and physicians’ offices—none of which are foreign territory to qualified occupational therapists or physical therapists.

Make the Most of These Statistics by applying at Travel Force Today!

Working in one of the many states where job availability and compensation run high, requires the expert recruiting services and career resource tools, synonymous with a Joint Commission Certified agency. We offer one-click access to physical therapy boards and thorough information on obtaining licensure and certifications. Hit the ground running today in your therapist career by calling 800-617-0608 or Apply Online Now!

Occupational Therapists Are Essential in Helping Children with Sensory Processing Disorder

Author Therapy Career Blogger | 12.06.2010 | Category Allied Healthcare, Career Tips, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapist Jobs, Therapist Jobs, Top Rehab Careers, Travel Therapist, Traveling Therapist, Video, Videos

SPD a condition that falls under Autism Spectrum Disorder

Occupational therapy careers are essential in treating patients with Sensory Processing Disorder (SPD)—a condition diagnosed at an early age in patients experiencing difficulties in using their senses, from cognitive disabilities, traumatic brain injury, schizophrenia, cochlear implants or—for the majority of adolescents with SPD—autism.

Are you an Occupational Therapist with the key?

Occupational therapy is key in unlocking how the senses work and how autistic children process information using the 5 senses. In OT jobs, you can take your occupational therapist career in many different directions; if your goal is to work with adolescent patients with SPD, be prepared to do the following during therapy sessions:

• Administer standardized tests
• Conduct clinical observations and interviews
• Promote all aspects of body awareness
• Initiate ideas that put patients in action
• Help patients anticipate, as well as execute unfamiliar motor actions.

Sobering Autism Statistics Mean Occupational Therapists are in High Demand

With new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) showing that an average of 1 in 110 children have an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), it’s clear that therapists trained to help patients with ASD are in high demand.

If your clinical expertise shines brightest in helping young patients become more independent in dressing, feeding themselves, staying safe in the community, enjoying social interactions—basically learning to thrive in the everyday—than taking on cases of Sensory Processing Disorder is ideal. The video provided here, features a snapshot of a day-in-the-life of a successful occupational therapist, addressing the needs of very young patients, with conditions classified as ASD.

Studies on Sensory Processing Disorder Grab Attention from Occupational Therapists

Newborns have different tolerances for sensory stimulation; studies show that preemies are often hypersensitive enough to sight, sound or touch, that over stimulation creates changes in vital signs. As children grow, differences in their sensory experiences can affect their behavior and learning—ample opportunity for an occupational therapist to step in and correct deficits and abnormalities in learning skills. Therapists working with SPD patients may work in three different subtypes of the disorder:

• Sensory modulation disorder
• Sensory discrimination disorder
• Sensory-based motor disorder

What do these different categories have in common? They all involve some kind of disruption in learning. Occupational therapy is the key to grounding the patient, by helping him understand his body’s location in space; and to better function in and understand the world around us all. While occupational therapists help patients avoid problematic situations, it is also their job to open doors patients may previously have viewed as being closed.

Open Doors for Somebody today! Use Travel Force as the Ultimate Job Finder and Best in Occupational Therapy Career Resources

Link into continuously updated career resources, like license and credentialing links at Travel Force. As a travel therapist you have the opportunity to make your mark in award winning hospitals from coast to coast. Call a Travel Force recruiter at 1-800-617-0608 or apply online today. Nationwide Occupational Therapy jobs are waiting to be filled by OTs just like you!

Occupational Therapy Resources:

The American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) provides a wealth of data concerning emerging healthcare trends in treating autism spectrum disorders, which include a large number of SPD cases. Occupational Therapists are encouraged to bookmark the AOTA site if they’re looking for news, conference sessions, articles, books, research, or other autism resources.

Footnote: The Sensory Processing Disorder Foundation offers information for parents of children in occupational therapy to treat this condition and others associated with ASD.

California Physical Therapists Use Space Age Technology Described as an Anti-Gravity Treadmill in Patient Rehabilitation

Author Therapy Career Blogger | 11.16.2010 | Category Allied Healthcare, Career Tips, Locations, Medical Robotics, Physical Therapist Jobs, Physical Therapy, Product Reviews, Rehabilitation Therapy, Therapist Jobs, Therapist Jobs Postings, Top Rehab Careers, Top Therapy Blogs, Videos

California physical therapists never put a man on the moon, but thanks to a new anti-gravity treadmill prototype called the AlterG, patients feel like they’re walking on it. Developed by the Palo Alto Rehabilitation Research and Development Center in collaboration with NASA, the AlterG is the first FDA approved medical device of its kind, benefiting patients at a Veterans Medical Center, who say the AlterG helps them keep their weight down without pain in their knees, as well as enable a level of fitness unseen by them in years.

How does the Anti-Gravity Treadmill Work?

For post op knee and hip (physical therapy) patients, an anti-gravity treadmill is literally taking the pressure off rehabilitation. Patients begin by zipping themselves into the treadmill’s pouch. The machine alters body weight and how much of it is used during a workout, by using air pressure technology to effectively “lift” the patient; this reduces the normal amount of pressure and weight at critical joints. Physical therapists fascinated by this NASA developed technology can read in-depth product information at the AlterG website.

The AlterG Permits Physical Therapists to Have More Control

At the Palo Alto VA hospital, California Physical Therapist Jobs entailing the use of the AlterG mean learning how to manipulate its touch-screen interface; this adjusts the distribution of the patient’s body weight. The ability to control these settings enables therapists to modify the functions of the treadmill over time, in accordance to a patient’s treatment plan. PTs using the anti-gravity treadmill say it’s preferable to a pool (treadmill) because the AlterG allows better control of weight baring exercise.

Major Medical Centers, Sports and Fitness Programs Already on Board with the AlterG

Innovative technology like an anti-gravity treadmill is two fold in its beneficially; not only does it make some therapist jobs in California easier for PTs hoping to hasten the rehabilitation of patients after surgery, but the U.S. Veterans using the device enjoy the adjustability it offers; the AlterG is giving them the chance to keep pace more comfortably with their own unique speed of healing. For PTs in California physical therapy jobs, patients’ healing seems to be getting faster—not quite the speed of light—but expedient enough to make headlines.

Our Physical Therapy Jobs Are in Cutting Edge Outpatient Centers, Rehab Centers & Clinics

Make great news of your own by getting a top physical therapy job today! Travel Force staffs therapists in several of America’s best hospitals ranked “Best Rehabilitation Hospitals” by the U.S. News & World Report; these facilities are right on track with emerging trends in healthcare and cutting edge physical therapy solutions. Call as at 1-800-617-0608 or apply online! Recruiters are standing by to match your talents, not just with California physical therapy jobs but opportunities nationwide!

Rehabilitation Hospitals are Buzzing about this Sports Injury Study

Author Therapy Career Blogger | 10.29.2010 | Category Allied Healthcare, Physical Therapist Jobs, Physical Therapy, Rehabilitation Therapy, Top Rehab Careers

Are Corticosteroid Injections the Best Treatment for Tendinopathies?

When a rehab patient seeks relief from painful tendons, it’s typical to receive a cortisone injection; now, because of a study conducted by the University of Queensland, the effectiveness of cortisone injections is being revaluated, with sports physiotherapy experts pointing out that cortisone may prolong conditions, in a sports injury like tennis elbow. The study showed that receiving cortisone injections in response to a tendinopathy, increases the likelihood of returning to the rehabilitation hospital for more treatment by a whopping 64%.

The University’s School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences affiliated with the study, are promoting the idea that doctors should alert patients that better treatments (for tendinopathies) are out there; the preferred method is involving patients in an active physical therapy program while the doctor employs a “wait and see” approach before medications are prescribed.

That means delaying injection until a trial of prescribed exercise is given 2 to 3 months to take effect. Researches behind the Australian study believe that more in-depth study—like exploring different injections—needs to be done, as well as studying the benefits of combining injections and physical therapy.

The University study may have more work to do, but should be credited with their findings; which are strong supporting evidence that, for treatment of tendinopathy, corticosteroid injection is beneficial in the short term, but worse than other treatment options in the intermediate and long terms.

Those healthcare professionals in physical therapy jobs who make their living in therapist employment should take note of this study’s consensus, that exercise is key in making a complete recovery from tendinopathy; passive treatments for this condition, like injections, gene and laser therapies are more likely to fail long-term without exercise as part of the rehabilitative recovery.

Remember that the success of your rehab jobs relies on keeping your rehab patients active and mobile, as you wait and see if their hard work and commitment to physical therapy are working!

Footnote: The University of Queensland study is part of a sports physiotherapy student’s PhD candidature; the study reviewed the results of 41 previously published studies, including 2,672 patients with various tendon problems.

Celebrate National Physical Therapy Month this October

Author Therapy Career Blogger | 10.01.2010 | Category Allied Healthcare, Career Tips, Monthly Events, Physical Therapist Education, Physical Therapist Jobs, Physical Therapist Licensing, Physical Therapy, Respiratory Therapy, Therapy Jobs, Travel Therapist, Traveling Therapist, Videos

October puts physical therapists in the spotlight! In 1982 the American Physical Therapy Association (APTA) changed from National Physical Therapy Week, to a month long celebratory event for physical therapists nationwide. This year’s 2010 theme is: Move Forward: Physical Therapists bring motion to life—not just a slogan, but APTA sponsored site; one that gives both therapists and their patients, the chance to explore the positive effects of physical therapy for everyone involved.

National Physical Therapy Month does its part to increase the general public’s awareness of what physical therapists do, and the diversity of patients helped by their expertise. Whether young, old, injured in an accident, or as the result of illness and disease, a licensed physical therapist, often board certified in one or more of 8 physical therapy specialties, is highly trained to improve patients’ range of motion, balance, strength and flexibility.

But as a physical therapist working for Travel Force, or likeminded staffing agency, you already know this—we’re just giving you extra reasons to bring National Physical Therapy month to your patients’ attention; they may benefit from APTA’s “Motion to Life Site”, where a quiz, reader poll and more lets them access their current level of motion, and see if they have a health issue that merits a visit to your office.

Why are physical therapists making headlines?

As the world watched Spain capture the world cup during the FIFA games this summer, the general public was more aware than ever of the need for physical therapists and their ability to heal, as seen in this sports related injuries video.

Health Information Technology (IT) has also taken the physical therapy world by storm, and offers new and innovative ways of preparing therapists for future sessions with patients; you’ll enjoy watching the video that enhances our article about virtual reality training.

With so much to sit back and take in, maybe we should pop some popcorn; instead please accept our simple thanks. Travel Force wishes to add its own “tip of the hat” to a worldwide appreciation for what physical therapists do. We are proud to offer physical therapy jobs from coast to coast and everywhere in between that challenge and reward qualified applicants with top benefits, competitive pay, as well as traveling and permanent therapy positions in some of the best rehabilitative hospitals in America.

National Physical Therapy Month is just one of many occasions that serve to remind physical therapists of a competitive present and future in their field; the APTA cites a 27% jump in hiring by 2016 (as reported by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics), and the majority of physical therapists with doctorates in hand (DPT degree) by 2020.

Travel Force career resources help you stay on track 365 days a year

Travel Force Staffing offers current and aspiring physical therapists and Physical Therapy Assistants career resources that help them stay on track toward achieving licensing whether they are foreign trained or educated in the U.S. We have quick links to APTA accredited physical therapy schools and member board information in all 50 states. Check us out, and apply online today!

In the meantime, think about the ways physical therapy touches the lives of your patients and leave us a comment about how you, personally, are bringing motion to life!

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, Physical Therapist Licensing, Physical Therapy, Rehabilitation Therapy, Therapy Jobs, Top Rehab Careers, Travel Therapist, Travel physical therapy jobs

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.

California Law blocks DPT at four state schools

Author Healthcare Jobs Blogger | 09.02.2010 | Category Allied Healthcare, Career Tips, Physical Therapist Education, Physical Therapist Jobs, Physical Therapist Licensing, Physical Therapy

Buzz in the PT blogosphere points to the popularity and acceptance of the physical therapy doctorate or DPT (Doctor of Physical Therapy) professional degree. The American Physical Therapy Association is pushing to make the DPT the entry-level credential for physical therapy jobs by year 2020 and hundreds of PT schools across America have implemented DPT programs.

In fact, 98 percent of the nation’s physical therapy programs offer Doctor of Physical Therapy degrees, Dr. Sheryl Low, associate professor and department chair of physical therapy at CSUN (California State University Northbridge) told California’s Daily Sundial.*

Professor Low teaches Physical Therapy at one of the last four colleges in the Continental U.S. that has yet to transition from the Master’s in Physical Therapy to the DPT. All four operate under the California State University System.

Why can’t CSU get Physical Therapy Doctorate accreditation?

California’s “Master Plan” for higher education has prevented CSU schools from making the transition to the DPT, which lawmakers say will force Physical Therapy students out of state to obtain their degree.

Under the Master Plan, CSU schools are prohibited in awarding doctorates of any type, as state law confines doctoral graduates to the University of California post-secondary educational system- schools granted doctoral exclusivity by the state’s Donahoe Higher Education Act.

Lawmakers are also concerned that without expanding DPT offerings in the state, demand for physical therapy doctorates may outstrip supply; causing Californians to import DPT graduates from other states to perform critical physical therapy jobs.

DPT reform has passed in the California State Assembly and is headed to the State Senate for consideration

No date has been set for a vote in the Senate. But Assembly Bill 2382 aimed at reforming DPT restrictions has recently passed in the State Assembly 75 to 1, a victory for CSU educators and physical therapy students.

Assemblyman, Bob Blumenfield, said legislation needs to be passed by 2013 in order for CSU campuses to continue taking DPT admissions for the academic year 2013-2014.*

Related pages

• Therapy Career Resources
• California Physical Therapist Jobs

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, Physical Therapist Licensing, Physical Therapy, Physical Therapy Job Questions, Respiratory Therapy, Therapist Jobs, Therapy Jobs, Travel Therapist

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.