Once you’ve secured your first position as a travel physical therapist, the world becomes your oyster. New and exciting cities are only an assignment away, as are all of the sights, sounds, smells, tastes, and memories in the making that come with each one.
Below, we’ve highlighted some key tips to help you thrive during your journey as a travel PT:
- Adapt quickly to new settings – It goes without saying (but we’ll say it anyway): Travel therapy comes with a lot of—you guessed it—traveling. You can hit the ground running by familiarizing yourself with the facility’s layout and policies on your first day. The quicker you’re comfortable with the flow of things, the more capable and confident you’ll feel when working with other healthcare providers and patients.
- Develop your interpersonal skills – You’ll be working with a new set of colleagues every few months, so being able to build rapport easily is essential. Additionally, since you’ll encounter new patients more frequently than you would in a permanent role, demonstrating empathy and patience can help build trust at a quicker pace. This dependability may encourage patients to engage more actively in their treatment, which can improve their outcomes.
- Embrace your new lifestyle – You have a rare opportunity to do what you love while also exploring new parts of the world. You can make the most of it by researching each new assignment location before arriving. This allows you to explore the best housing options for your needs, discover some of the city’s best-kept culinary secrets, and write a list of can’t-miss activities that are unique to that area.
Take Your Career as a Physical Therapist to New Heights with Host Healthcare
You’ve got the clinical skills and your bucket list of places to explore—now what? Sounds like it might be time to leap into the exciting world of life as a traveling physical therapist. The first step toward making it happen is choosing an agency that makes the entire experience feel as safe and secure as possible.
At Host Healthcare, you don’t need to know exactly how to become a travel physical therapist, because we’re with you every step of the way. From offering a variety of assignments that align with your needs to ensuring you’ve secured comfortable housing arrangements, your dedicated recruiter is here to be your host from the moment you’ve accepted your application—and every minute beyond.
Let us do the heavy lifting so you can focus on enjoying your new adventure. Apply today to become a traveler with Host Healthcare today!
Sources:
“Physical Therapists.” U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 17 Apr. 2024, www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/physical-therapists.htm.