Are journeys to exotic locations, flexible scheduling, incredible earning potential, and the chance to learn new skills going through your head? If you are considering travel physical therapy, there is an excellent chance that these and other considerations are occupying space in your mind. Travel physical therapy is a legitimate alternative to settling down in one location. However, before packing your bags, look at five things to consider before becoming a travel therapist.
What Is Travel Physical Therapy?
Instead of providing therapy at one office or facility, a travel physical therapist travels across a city, state, region, or country to provide physical therapy. As a travel PT, your therapy duties and obligations are the same as if you worked in a hospital, pain clinic, or outpatient facility. You can provide pain management strategies and help your patients recover and regain mobility after accidents, injuries, or surgeries.
How Do I Become a Travel PT?
The qualifications for becoming a travel PT are similar to those you need to be a physical therapist. You must attend an educational program that confers a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree. Your studies will include anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, and pharmacology courses. You will also complete a practical clinical component. Much like medical students, PTs complete residencies after finishing graduate school. After the residence, you must pass the National Physical Therapy Examination before you can work.
What Skills Will I Need As a Travel PT?
As a travel PT, you will need many skills to succeed. Some of these skills are unique to constantly traveling for work. You will need to be compassionate and patient with your clients. Some of your patients will have significant, long-term physical problems and need encouragement during recovery. Time management is essential for physical therapists, but it is especially vital for a travel PT. You must be excellent at maintaining a work schedule as you travel from facility to facility.
Advantages of Travel PT
The significant advantages of working as a travel PT are flexibility and adventure. Travel PTs rarely have a set schedule, and they get to explore the country as they work. Travel PTs get paid more because they need them in rural parts of the country.
Disadvantages of Travel PT
You will have to hit the ground running with little orientation. There are no paid time off or sick days. Your contract can get canceled, and you might have trouble finding short-term housing. You might have health insurance gaps, and working with travel companies can sometimes be challenging.
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