Do’s & Don’ts of Traveling Therapy
- Craigslist is a travelers best friend! If you don't find what you are looking for there, Google the towns' newspapers & check out the classifieds.
- Find your own housing. Allows you to find a place that suits your lifestyle & save you money too.
- Get involved at your facility. Talk to the staff & to other travelers about the area.
- Don’t ever say, “That’s not my job”. Healthcare is a serviced-based field (provided best with caring & empathy).
- Find a recruiter you can talk to like a friend not just a business partner. Your recruiter needs to know you, and calls even if there is no news but to say, “No news yet”.
- Experience the area you travel to. Find mom & pop shoppes & local-only knowledge. Don’t sit at home, even if you just take a walk for an hour.
- Be aware. If traveling alone, live close to populated areas. Too remote can be dangerous for anyone.
- Every town has a Chamber of Commerce website that will give you information about a town or city you are considering working in. It is a good place to start a little research.
- If you plan to travel for more than just a few assignments in many states, try to obtain licenses in states where there are multiple jobs on a regular basis. TX, CA, WA and a few states almost always will have travel positions available for OT, PT.
- The best way to plan a trip without taking too much unpaid time off, that requires some advanced planning, is to extend at your current location & ask for a vacation before beginning the extension. That way you don't have to relocate when returning from your trip.