Official Therapist Blog

Cover letter tips for landing your first physical therapist job

Author Therapy Career Blogger | 02.17.2010 | Category Allied Healthcare, Career Tips, How to Tips, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapist Jobs, Respiratory Therapy, Therapist Jobs, Therapy Jobs, Travel Therapist, Traveling Therapist, physical therapist licensing, physical therapy

If you recently graduated from a therapy program or expect to graduate soon, there’s good news – and bad news – on the job front.  Though you’ve chosen a career with great growth, there’s still plenty of competition out there – meaning it’s imperative to have a great physical therapy resume that is accompanied by an even stronger physical therapist cover letter.

As we’ve reported, the need for PTs is on the rise, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.  Demand is strong; new grads are encouraged to apply today to Travel Force and start reaping the rewards and benefits of travel therapy jobs!

But, it’s up to you to present yourself as the strongest candidate possible for those physical therapist jobs.  That means having a resume that includes all of your skills and experience learned in school and during internships and the like.

In addition,  it also means creating a cover letter that sings your praises – loudly. This document needs to be a persuasive marketing tool that highlights your strongest points and reiterates why the employer should consider you for that physical therapist job.

Here are some tips on writing a great cover letter for a physical therapy job:

• Highlight key professional skills developed throughout your career (school and otherwise). Did you develop some sort of “specialty” while in school — a skill you were known to be particularly good at? Mention it!
• Emphasize your knowledge of pertinent technologies; the more cutting-edge, the better.
• Cite evidence of leadership abilities. For instance, if you led a research team, discuss how you motivated your team to accomplish the project
• Discuss your academic achievements as proof of your intelligence and competence.
• Relate your skills, experience, and interests to the employer’s needs. (Do some research on the company or facility: Go online, or ask your Travel Force Consultant for tips and insights.)

For more guidelines, see the APTA’s Guide to the Cover Letter.

And, once you’ve gotten that all-important physical therapist job interview, prepare by reviewing our Interview tips for travel therapists.

Travel Force Jobs put you close to Mardi Gras this month

Author Therapy Career Blogger | 02.08.2010 | Category Fun Events, Locations, Therapist Jobs, Therapy Jobs, Travel Therapist, physical therapy

Want a Mardi Gras party? You don’t have to go all the way to New Orleans. For the next few weeks Mardi Gras festivities are rocking the entire United States, and some of the highlights are coming to a physical therapy job near you.

This well-known event makes you think of beads, King Cake, parades snaking their way through the Big Easy, and, most recently, a winning Super Bowl team—but a couple hundred miles west of the New Orleans Saints, lies Galveston and Port Arthur, Texas, hosting big carnival fun of their own.  Check out what Mardi Gras! Glaveston! has to offer; it’s a beachfront carnival in its 99th year and parties on for 12 consecutive concert n’ cuisine filled days, from February 5th through February 16th. Why not treat yourself to a belated Valentine’s Day present?

At Mardi Gras Southeast Texas, Inc. in Port Authur, TX, you’ll find the same kind of fun from February 6 through the 11th.

If you’re really keen on the Lone Star State, we have Texas therapy jobs right now.

But what if you’re a PT in a different part of the country, and looking to catch a few beads? California Travel Therapy jobs are nearby Mardi Gras action, most notably in San Diego’s Gas Lamp Quarter; there, “Fat Tuesday” is the featured event, with masks, costumes, food and Cajun cookin’ galore. Click here to check out dates for Gas Lamp Mardi Gras fun that lasts until mid April.

But don’t give up on Mardi Gras celebrations elsewhere in the U.S. because North Carolina Therapists jobs are close to the action too, with the Asheville Mardi Gras, which has a “Wild at Heart” theme this year—scheduled for Valentine’s Day. The fun begins at 1pm and lasts into the wee hours.

No matter where you go, we’re sure, as the Mardi Gras aficionados say, it’ll be a party that’s second to none.

Therapy Jobs Growing in 2010

Author Healthcare Jobs Blogger | 02.01.2010 | Category Allied Healthcare, Therapist Jobs, Therapy Jobs, Travel Therapist, Traveling Therapist, physical therapy, rehabilitation therapy

2010 has just begun, and already physical therapists and occupational therapists are among the most in-demand allied health workers. With average unemployment rates rising, finding a career with job security may seem an impossible task, but the Bureau of Labor Statistics continues to report an increasing demand for rehab therapists, predicting 30% growth between 2008 and 2018.

The growth of rehab jobs is generally attributed to the increasing elderly population. As the baby boom population ages, the need for rehab therapists in nursing homes and hospitals will continue to increase. Not all rehab jobs involve working with the elderly, however. Physical therapists and occupational therapists can also find work in schools, clinics, and private homes. The Bureau of Labor Statistics explains that as medical technology advances, trauma victims and infants with birth defects are more likely to survive, increasing their need for rehab therapists, as well.

Salaries for rehab therapists are also on the rise, and travel therapists can earn an even greater salary than those in permanent positions. Travel therapists take home an average of 35% more than permanent therapists, while also getting free private housing and earning tax benefits.

To learn more about physical therapy jobs that might be right for you, visit Travel Force to contact a recruiter today.

Top 10 Happiest States Are a Good Destination for Traveling Therapists – Part II

Author Healthcare Jobs Blogger | 01.27.2010 | Category Locations, Therapist Jobs, Therapy Jobs, Travel Therapist, Traveling Therapist

Mulling where to accept your next travel therapist job? Consider one of the Top 10 Happiest States – Louisiana, Hawaii, Florida, Tennessee, Arizona, Mississippi, Montana, South Carolina, Alabama and Maine.

These Top 10 were named in a recent report on the happiest states, which ranked all the states by combining the results from two sources: a nationwide life-satisfaction survey; plus a study gauging a variety of lifestyle factors for each state — such as how much rain and sunshine the state received, commuting time, crime rate, air quality, housing affordability, spending on education and highways, and cost of living, and lastly number of hazardous waste sites.

In Part I of our report, we’ve already described the appeal of the first five states for traveling therapists. Here are details on the second group of the Top 10 Happiest States:

Mississippi

Louisiana’s neighbor to the east. Mississippi offers many southern charms all its own. Rehabilitation therapy jobs can be found throughout the Magnolia State, our nation’s 20th — from Biloxi, the coastal gambling town; to Jackson, the history-soaked state capital; to Tupelo, the birthplace of Elvis Presley (who would have turned 75 in 2010). So, slow down and soak it all in, y’all; and when someone asks you where the best physical therapy jobs are, spell it loudly and proudly: “M—I—S—S—I—S—S—I—P—P—I!”

Montana

Are you a traveling therapist who’s longing for wide-open spaces and majestic scenery as far as the eye can see? Then head for Montana, the 41st state. Even in the capital city of Helena, the physical therapist won’t find crowds or overpopulation — unless you’re talking about bison or horses! And the Treasure State sure lives up to its nickname in the geological-wonders department, with two of the country’s premier national parks: Glacier and Yellowstone (America’s first national park!).

South Carolina

Yet another Southern state in the Top 10 (are we sensing a pattern here?!), South Carolina also offers tons of history, culture and nature to the physical therapist. From the romantic port city of Charleston and world-class resort of Hilton Head along the Atlantic coast, the Palmetto State stretches inland to the capital of Columbia, and westward to the upcountry region, with plenty of scenic mountains, lakes and waterfalls along the way. Adventurous traveling health-care professionals, take note: Our 8th state is especially renowned for its water trails – including the longest blackwater river in the nation, Edisto.

Alabama

Alabama, the 22nd state, offers lots of opportunity for the therapist who’s also a history buff – from Civil War to civil rights. Whether your physical therapy job takes you to the Gulf coast town of Mobile, or the capital of Montgomery, or the high-tech city of Huntsville, there’s sure to be plenty to keep you occupied when not on the job. For the athletically inclined, the choice of activities includes hiking, biking, rock climbing, golf, water sports, hunting, fishing and more.

Maine

Traveling therapists will find that Maine, the only Top 10 state in the northeast, is worthy of its high happiness ranking. Our 23rd state is vast in size, but modest in population. Cities such as Portland and Augusta (the capital) are pleasantly compact and livable. Plus, with more than 30 state parks and one of the finest national parks — Acadia — Maine deserves its ranking as the fourth healthiest state. Physical therapist, heal thyself: Take a hike or go rafting, or take a whale-watching cruise, then feast on freshly caught lobster. “Ayuh,” indeed!

Physical Therapists Are Pet Owners Too: How to find a dog-friendly assignment

Author Healthcare Jobs Blogger | 01.21.2010 | Category Allied Healthcare, How to Tips, Occupational Therapy, Therapist Jobs, Therapy Jobs, Travel Therapist, Traveling Therapist, physical therapy, rehabilitation therapy

Here’s a fun fact: according to recent census data on pets, almost 46 million households own a dog. If you and a special furry someone fall into that category, you wouldn’t dream of leaving Honeybee behind to take a job. With therapy job benefits tailored to your specific needs—those being, especially, pets and children of all ages and sizes—this is of no concern to you; the only thing you need to worry about is finding an assignment that meets your pet lover’s criteria.

If you haven’t heard of DogFriendly.com, you need to visit the site and bookmark it immediately; it provides highway guides, rest stop and park reviews, outdoor dining info and more—all with dog accompanied travelers in mind.

Top dogs in pet related businesses recommend the following geographical criteria for raising a happy pooch:

• The city should be welcoming of dogs on public transportation
• The city should not unreasonably regulate dogs if they are leashed
• The city should have a wide variety of vets to choose from
• The city should feature parks, open to the public and ideal for dogs to roam

In a feature article by Forbes Magazine entitled: In Pictures: America’s Most Pet Friendly Cities, physical therapists with dogs will be inspired to check out Colorado Springs, touted by Forbes as the best place in America to enjoy your pets.

PTs, who just happen to be traveling with their dogs, might also try Seattle Physical Therapy jobs since The Emerald City, as the Washington city is known, offers dog-walking parks galore. Have fun “sniffing around” the possibilities!

How to Train for a Marathon - Valuable Tips from a Physical Therapist

Author Ellen Bloome - PT | 01.19.2010 | Category Allied Healthcare, Ellen Bloome-PT, How to Tips, Therapist Jobs, Therapy Jobs, Top Rehab Careers, Travel Therapist, Traveling Therapist, physical therapy, rehabilitation therapy

As a marathoner and a Physical Therapist, I would like to share some tips for training and conditioning for a first marathon…

First, it’s a good idea build up to being able to run 15-25 miles a week…(that’s running 3 -5 days) before beginning your marathon training program. If you already run 2 -3 miles a day, you have the basis to start preparing for your first marathon!

This base is important both physically and psychologically, because you can anticipate about 18 weeks of training. Here’s a a god tip: follow the ten percent rule for mileage building. Increasing your weekly mileage more than 10% from the previous week can cause injury and lead to burnout. So if you begin your program running 3.0 miles, 3-5 times a week, week 2 you might increase that to 3.3 miles each day you run. Week 3 would be 3.63 per day and so on.

To find more marathon training tips and to connect with other expert runners interested in running marathons go to www.runningtimes.com

4  Tips from a Physical Therapist & Avid Runner that focus the Mental Preparation:

1. Setting an appropriate time goal is important. Training at goal pace is the best way to run that pace in the latter part of your training. Most first time marathoners are looking to finish the race and enjoy the journey. Setting an unattainable goal will render that journey disappointing.
2. Visualization; another excellent tool. You can see the finish line, or what you will be feeling at mile 20… When you are out on the course, that déjà-vu helps! There is comfort in familiarity.
3. Joining a marathon training group will give you specific guidance from seasoned marathoners, and having a social peer group will increase the likelihood that you won’t skip those long runs……
4. Finally, and possibly most importantly…determination and discipline are part and parcel to successful training and performance. Be sure to bring them along as you lace up those running shoes.

If you have additional comments or suggestions, we would love to hear them! Running for fun and fitness is fantastic by itself and also a popular means to enjoy travel therapy jobs no matter where you are currently working!

Happy Running!

Top Rehab Jobs in 2009

Author Healthcare Jobs Blogger | 01.08.2010 | Category Allied Healthcare, Occupational Therapy, Therapist Jobs, Therapy Jobs, Top Rehab Careers, Travel Therapist, Traveling Therapist, physical therapist licensing, physical therapy, rehabilitation therapy

Travel Physical Therapy Jobs Earn 35% more Take Home Pay

While the national unemployment rate increased from 7% to 10% in 2009, employment opportunities in allied health careers continued to rise and are projected to increase by at least 20% before 2018. Pay rates for travel Physical Therapy Jobs have never been better.

The salaries and availabilities of rehab jobs depend on the particular type of therapy and on the job setting (hospital, in-home, clinic, etc.). The median salaries permanent full time positions for occupational therapists and physical therapists are $66,000 and $72,000, respectively.

Travel therapists, however, can earn significantly more than the national average.

Therapists working in travel rehab jobs generally take home over 35% more than those in permanent full-time positions. Travel therapists also earn great therapy job benefits, including free private housing and free continuing education classes. Travel rehab jobs are available throughout the country, but the most popular positions for 2009 were respiratory therapy jobs in New York, physical therapy jobs in Arizona and New Mexico, and occupational therapy jobs in Missouri.

Physical therapy is perhaps the most well-known of the rehab jobs. Licensure requirements for physical therapists can be difficult; most states now require a doctoral degree and passing scores on both national and state exams, as well as a number of continuing education credits. Once licensed, however, physical therapists diagnose and treat individuals of all ages to reduce pain and restore function and mobility after any number of illnesses and injuries, from fractures and sprains to strokes and multiple sclerosis. The majority of physical therapy jobs, as with most rehab jobs, are found in hospitals and private physician practices, but jobs are also available in outpatient clinics, nursing homes, schools, and private homes.

Physical therapists often work closely with occupational therapists, who help patients to improve their day-to-day lives by increasing their ability to perform particular functions, from dressing, eating, and using wheelchairs to communicating and decision-making. Occupational therapists work with patients who have some physical, mental, or developmental condition that hinders basic motor or reasoning abilities. Occupational therapy licensure generally requires a master’s degree or higher from an accredited program, a number of supervised clinical hours, and a passing score on a national exam.

The aging baby-boom generation is driving the need for rehabilitation specialists throughout the country, and physical therapists and occupational therapists are all in high demand.

For information about these locations and other travel rehab jobs, visit Travel Force.

Speech Language Pathologist - Rated in Top 20 Careers by Career Builder

Author Healthcare Jobs Blogger | 01.05.2010 | Category Allied Healthcare, Speech Language Pathologist, Therapy Jobs, Top Rehab Careers, Travel Therapist, Traveling Therapist, physical therapy, rehabilitation therapy

During this rough economy, choosing to start a new career can be a tough decision to make. However, there are a number of jobs in the health care field, and in physical therapy specifically, that are showing above average employment growth and job stability. Speech Language Pathology, for example, was recently named one of the top 20 careers to “work less, earn more” by Career Builder. According to Career Builder, speech language pathologists, also called speech pathologists or speech therapists work an average of 37.5 hours a week and earn over $53,000 annually. A Speech Pathologist working as a travel therapist can earn an even greater annual salary, averaging over $77,000, as well as free private housing accommodations, health insurance, and other travel therapy job benefits.

Speech therapists diagnose speech and communication difficulties and then develop specialized plans of treatment for each patient. They work with patients whose difficulties stem from learning or developmental disorders, cerebral palsy, hearing loss, stroke, brain injury, or any number of other congenital, developmental, or acquired problems. Speech therapists can find speech language pathology jobs in schools, hospitals, nursing homes, private homes, or other specialist practices.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a faster than average growth rate for speech pathologist employment, but there are a number of educational and licensure requirements required for speech therapists. Most speech pathology jobs require a master’s degree, and some states require that that degree be from a school accredited by the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. Required courses include, among others, physiology, anatomy, and acoustics. Additional requirements for speech language pathology licensure include a passing score on the national speech pathology test, over 300 hours of supervised clinical experience, and nine months of postgraduate professional clinical experience. Speech therapists working in educational settings may have additional requirements based on the state’s Department of Education.

For more information about beginning a career in speech language pathology, visit the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association. To find travel speech pathology jobs or other travel therapy jobs, visit Travel Force.

My Hip Surgery Rehab

Author Ellen Bloome - PT | 12.09.2009 | Category Allied Healthcare, Ellen Bloome-PT, Therapist Jobs, Therapy Jobs, Travel Therapist, Traveling Therapist, physical therapist licensing, physical therapy, rehabilitation therapy

There I was…24 hours after hip surgery, crutching in for my first physical therapy visit at one of the world’s most famous orthopedic therapy clinics. I allowed myself to be the patient to absorb all that these highly skilled PT’s were teaching me. My hip was grateful to be there during those first 4 days…

I was in awe of the PT’s who were fortunate to work in this rehab clinic with my surgeon who is internationally known, and his patients, mostly high-level athletes with sports injuries. I speculated how traveling physical therapists are exposed to therapy career resources such as this! (Note to self…after my rehab is complete, consider looking for a Colorado physical therapy job as a traveler!)

Those early treatments were consistent with the surgeon’s suggested protocol. I did some work myself; isometrics to my hip and stationary biking, but was thankful for the hands-on hip flexor releases and gentle passive ROM. The biggest challenge I faced was potential hip flexor tendinitis, and after I returned home that was the yardstick upon which I based all interventions’ success or weakness. I kept a log of my experiences and shared it with my surgeon as I coyly announced at my follow up visit that I ‘broke protocol’ but had no tendinitis! He agreed that protocols are merely guidelines as he considered my suggestions for improvement.

PT’s … have you made adaptations to orthopedic surgery protocols? How were your suggestions received by the referring surgeon? Please comment!

BTW - The picture on the right is me during my hip surgery rehab process.

From PT to Patient - Part 2; Compassionate Rehab Therapy

Author Ellen Bloome - PT | 12.07.2009 | Category Allied Healthcare, Ellen Bloome-PT, Therapist Jobs, Therapy Jobs, Travel Therapist, Traveling Therapist, physical therapy, rehabilitation therapy

Anticipating hip arthroscopy, I was a basket case. As a runner… I wanted to be pain-free, stable, and fast again. As a Physical Therapist I had seen enough behind the scenes to know what could go wrong.

I discovered that people at my physical therapy job did not understand why I was so concerned. My supervisor, herself a physician, stated, “Enough about your surgery already! It’s not like it’s heart surgery!”

The light bulb flickered in my head…the blogs and posts of hip arthroscopy patients flooded back to me. I felt terror reading them. Was I afraid of the acute post operative pain? Or was it fear of being worse after the surgery…I knew that I could almost deal with my life the way it was now…I’d made my concessions and a pact with my higher power. The fear was…what if after was worse?

My hip surgery was uncomplicated and my rehabilitation therapy was provided by caring, knowledgeable professionals at Howard Head Sports Medicine.Taking my experience as a patient to my Florida PT job didn’t change how I treated my patients in Home Health settings (where the PT jobs in Florida exist). What my experience reinforced was that compassion is a gateway to trust. In this era of corporate methodical productivity within the health care environment, I as a PT,  have the responsibility to preserve that compassion.

PT’s who have been patients; please share your stories! I’d love to hear from you.