If you are reading this, it is evident that you are interested in a career in physical therapy. If you have a sense of adventure and love experiencing new places and people, consider becoming a traveling physical therapist. This type of therapist does everything that a traditional physical therapist does; however, instead of staying in one location – such as a physical therapy practice or a hospital – the physical therapist travels to an assortment of areas and places to fill the gaps where this type of professional is needed. Traveling physical therapists provide services to various patients in various locations for a short time.
The Steps Required to Begin Your Career as a Travel Physical Therapist
Several factors drive people to choose a travel physical therapy profession. Travel physical therapy jobs appeal to those who want global travel opportunities and higher pay. Some physical therapists choose travel PT positions to explore various work settings before committing to a permanent job.
The path to becoming a traveling physical therapist follows the same initial steps as becoming a physical therapist but with some extra requirements. Here’s how to become a traveling physical therapist:
Earn a Physical Therapy Degree
The initial requirement to become a traveling physical therapist is obtaining a physical therapy degree.
Begin your education with a bachelor’s degree from the list of top five undergraduate programs for physical therapy. You can obtain a degree in a related field through classes that fulfill all educational requirements and prerequisites for travel physical therapy.
Afterward, you will receive a Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) degree. The Doctor of Physical Therapy degree program includes classes covering topics in pathology and biomechanics. Through simulation exercises and real-world clinical rotations, you’ll acquire practical experience.
Educate Yourself About Travel PT
Begin researching industry operations as soon as you decide to become a travel physical therapist. Reach out to other traveling physical therapists and search through online resources. For example, there are some things you’ll need to know that other physical therapists won’t, such as:
What will your taxes be like?
Which licensing qualifications must you obtain for the state where you wish to practice?
What locations are most interesting to you?
There are individuals who choose to work near their home or within familiar locations. Perhaps you vacation every summer on a Florida beach and wish to work there. Travel physical therapy jobs allow some therapists to visit locations like Hawaii and Australia, which they have on their bucket list.
After you pick your destination, you must pass the NPTE to obtain your license in that area. After determining where you want to practice, you will need to complete the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) and get licensed in every state where you plan to work. The PT Compact privilege counts 30 active state members who recognize this licensure option.
Consider teaming up with a specialized Travel Physical Therapy Recruiter for job searching
Finding jobs on your own requires extensive time and effort which restricts your chances to enjoy your destination. Seek assistance from travel healthcare agency recruiters. Recruiters who specialize in finding travel physical therapy jobs have access to more resources than you because their entire job involves finding suitable positions for you.
Choose a trustworthy recruiter who prioritizes your interests above their financial gain. Choose a recruiter who matches your preferred communication style because certain traveling physical therapists prefer daily reviews of all job opportunities while others only want updates when there is a perfect job opportunity.
Optional: Before starting as a traveling PT, you may choose to gain work experience first.
Travel physical therapy positions expect new hires to work autonomously from their first day on the job. Since your time on the job site is limited to just a few weeks, they won’t focus much on your long-term professional development because mentoring you isn’t a priority for them.
Graduates who meet licensing requirements can start working as traveling physical therapists immediately after passing their exams. Some individuals prefer the structural support and guidance a regular physical therapy position provides over a traveling role.
You should work as a traditional physical therapist for one to two years if you think mentorship would help your career before contacting a travel physical therapy recruiter.
Pros and Cons of Travel Physical Therapy
The benefits and drawbacks of working as a travel physical therapist
No matter your reason for becoming a physical therapist, you may want to consider whether traveling is the right choice.
Pros
Physical therapists who become travel PTs find multiple benefits that create an attractive career choice.
Adventure: Working as a travel physical therapist allows you to visit numerous locations and face distinctive professional obstacles. When visiting new cities as a travel physical therapist, you have the chance to explore local areas and participate in local activities while trying out new foods. Working in new locations while traveling will develop your strength and adaptability as both a person and a physical therapist.
Flexible schedule and good work-life balance: Travel physical therapists can manage their work schedule to take time off between contracts which allows them to travel or care for sick family members.
High demand: The employment growth projection for physical therapists between 2022 and 2032 stands at 15% while other occupations average a 3% growth rate which signifies high demand for PTs who also get the chance to work in high-demand areas through travel positions.
Clinical and soft skills: Traveling allows you to work with several hospital systems and practice models which improves your clinical skills beyond what you would achieve if you worked in one place. You’ll also increase soft skills that will make you a better therapist, such as:
- Resilience
- Problem-solving
- Adaptability
- Communication
- Compromise
Cons
Travel physical therapy isn’t suitable for all professionals because the career path comes with certain drawbacks.
No paid time off: You won’t earn paid time off when employers hire you for limited durations.5
Lack of short-term housing: Renting affordable short-term housing requires significant effort. Solve all housing problems by buying an RV or camper to park at campgrounds near your temporary workplace.
Canceled contracts: Even if you have a signed contract, it does not assure that you will secure employment. You might work in a fill-in role for an open permanent position but the employer finds someone who can start earlier than planned. Protect your income by arranging for a two-week or one-month early termination clause in your employment agreement.
Health insurance gaps: Your health insurance becomes complicated as you move between different contracts without breaks. Avoid coverage gaps by confirming exact health insurance start dates before contract signing or through your travel healthcare agency.
Higher costs: Travel Physical Therapists have additional expenses which others do not face and these expenses might nullify any financial benefits from selecting lucrative contracts.
For tax purposes, you must establish a tax home.
Moving expenses add up. Many travel physical therapists take minimal luggage to reduce costs and plan to stay near one another during job transitions.
Your car will accumulate many miles, and your fuel expenses will rise as you continue relocating between various destinations. You can decrease your driving time by visiting regions with advanced public transit systems or using car rental services to go from one location to another.
Loneliness: Travelers who move to different locations often discover it to be extremely difficult to establish and sustain relationships, even though the excitement of constant relocation persists alongside feelings of loneliness. Travel physical therapists either work together with another roving healthcare professional or adopt a pet for companionship.
Working as a travel physical therapist—or in any mobile healthcare role—provides numerous advantages. Everyone from recent graduates who want to pay student loans to experienced rehab professionals seeking new destinations have a travel contract opportunity available in the United States. If you desire exploration but value flexibility and autonomy, traveling physical therapy might be your perfect career choice. After all, a career in travel PT:
Offers journeys to diverse locales,
Provides scheduling flexibility,
Fosters incredible earning potential, and
The field calls you to develop fresh skills while allowing you to teach others what you already know.
You shouldn’t just grab your belongings and leave without understanding what awaits you. Evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of this trending PT career path before you retrieve the luggage you’ve been storing away to decide if it’s suitable for you. You could start your journey sooner than you imagine if everything goes well!
If you would like to learn more about exciting career options in the physical therapy field, you may contact us here at Colorado Physical Therapy Network. By joining our organization, you will gain access to numerous resources that may help you advance your physical therapy career. We also offer services for other types of therapists. Examples include occupational therapists, speech therapists, and others. We also assist in practices. To join us or learn more, contact us today by calling 303-757-7004
