In travel physical therapy jobs, going above and beyond is a great way to get ahead. Not only does it say a lot about you as an individual and employee, it also positively reflects onto your patients and employer. Wherever you are on the road to becoming a travel PT, there are ways to set yourself apart.
Physical therapists treat individuals of all ages, from newborns to the elderly . Success in this field, similar to travel nursing, demands excellent observation, communication and motor and sensory skills. Good physical therapists exhibit compassion, while excellent ones convey genuine concern and interpersonal skills. You are more than just a "hire" for some recovering patients – you are a healer. Put yourself in the patients' shoes, whether they're recovering from a knee injury or a shoulder surgery. If you've been there, you can understand how important your role is to others.
Along the education path
When earning a post baccalaureate (masters or doctoral) degree, there are several ways to get your name noticed. If you've completed an internship that went really well, send your supervisor a hand-written thank you card. It does not take long, but it can really strike a chord with the individuals with whom you worked. Travel physical jobs are all about honing person-to-person communication, right? Start it from the top down.
If you have a classmate who does not understand a topic that was discussed and you have a solid grasp on it, consider volunteering some of your time after class to explain it or go over new ways how to look at it. Your peers will be more than grateful.
Standing out as a travel physical therapist
Once you've landed on your feet in travel physical therapy, kick things off right. Being a successful physical therapist takes more than excellent clinical skills. It also takes an ability to set yourself at a higher bar.
One way to do this is by exceeding patient expectations. Provide a welcoming environment from the moment you meet the patient. Give each patient your full attention, be an active listener, and be a resource as you answer their questions and provide reassurance.
Austin, San Francisco, Boston – no matter where you end up as a travel physical therapist, get involved in the community. In your spare time, you might to consider participating in local wellness and fitness workshops. Do you like to write? Perhaps you could write occasional physical therapy articles for the local newspaper or publish a personal blog.
Help other physical therapists. Give and you will receive, if you're a veteran with plenty of experience under your belt, share your stories with your peers or young physical therapists. Chances are, they could benefit, learn new solutions to problems and dodge mistakes you have made. When you open up, others will open up around you.
With all this being said, make sure you don't step on the toes of your coworkers. It's a great thing to go the extra mile, but be careful that it's not at the expense of someone else.