If you ask PT and OT students what their number one priority is when it comes to their first position, a majority of newly-graduated therapists will say the same thing: mentorship. Whether they are looking for a contract assignment or even a direct hire position, students want to make sure that they have someone to answer their questions and support them during this important (and sometimes stressful) transition. It’s understandable that new graduates want to feel prepared heading into their first position and it’s nice to have extra support from the get-go. However, mentorship can be interpreted in several different ways. Since we work with so many different facilities, mentorship can look different at each site, but the basic ideas stay the same. Overall, this blog is for anyone who has wondered, “Will I have mentorship in a travel position as a new graduate? And if I do, what will it look like?”
Experienced staff members
When placing new graduates into a facility, our account managers ensure that there are other experienced therapists on staff who they can utilize as a resource. We can assure you that you will not be placed into a facility where you are the only therapist on staff. We will always be transparent and honest with you on what the details of the position involve, including what other staff members will be available and what their history is for taking new graduates on assignment. Taking a travel assignment as a new graduate is a great experience for many reasons, but working with new therapists and new techniques on each assignment is invaluable. Our new graduate therapists always comment on how much they learned while on their assignment, and we have the therapists on staff to thank for that!
Experience with new grads
If a facility calls to inform us that they have an open therapy position available, we like to know their past history with working with new graduates. Have they worked with them before? How did it go? Does this position require experience beyond clinical rotations? By asking these simple questions and more, we find out if this position will be considered new graduate friendly and what they will offer for mentorship opportunities. We will not tell our students about a position unless it is fit for a new graduate, as we don’t want hidden surprises once they get there! With a travel position, you will interview with the facility, and I always recommend asking them what exactly their mentorship program looks like and how the experiences have been for other new graduates at that site.
No longer a student
As a reminder, you are no longer a student following a therapist during rotations. We understand that starting a new position can be challenging and overwhelming at times, but you are now a fully certified, working therapist and your facility will expect you to behave that way. As I mentioned earlier, there are plenty of staff members who will love to help you out! However, you will be held accountable for practicing on your own. When taking a travel assignment, your training period will be far shorter than what it would be in a direct hire placement. If you are looking for more shadowing time and more in-depth, slower-paced training, a direct hire position will probably fit your preferences better.
If you still have questions about mentorship or starting a travel career as a new graduate, give me a call! I would love to talk to you and hear more about your preferences. I am here to be an informative and honest resource for you, so don’t wait! Pick up the phone or send me an email (cermer@aureusmedical.com) RIGHT NOW!
Chelsea Ermer
Chelsea Ermer joined Aureus Medical Group as the Student Outreach Intern for the Rehab Therapy division in January 2014. After graduating from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln in May 2014, she started working full-time as a Recruiter. In her current role as Student Outreach Coordinator, Chelsea manages social media accounts, consults with students to aide them in their career search, and attends career fairs in search of new candidates. Chelsea enjoys spending as much time as possible with friends and family, reading, and running.