Sometimes, your passions in life can feel conflicting. For instance, you may love the rewards that come with being an occupational therapist (OT), from working with a diverse set of challenges to building strong bonds with your patients. On the other hand, you might love to travel and hope to one day explore the world beyond the walls of your current healthcare setting.

Have you ever thought about becoming a travel occupational therapist, taking your skills and expertise on the road to experience new opportunities and environments?

If you’re new to the idea, you’re in the right place. Whether you have decades of experience as an occupational therapist or you’ve just started your journey, we’ll go over everything you need to know about how to become a travel occupational therapist—and what to expect in this thrilling side of the profession. 

What is a Travel Occupational Therapist?

A travel occupational therapist performs the same tasks you’re already familiar with, all in the name of promoting patients’ capacity to live as independently and confidently as possible.

Typically, a travel occupational therapist works with a healthcare travel agency to land temporary roles around the country. 

Here at Host Healthcare, for example, we pair qualified candidates with expert recruiters who are dedicated to securing short-term contracts (with the average lasting around 13 weeks). These contracts are often offered by healthcare facilities who have immediate staffing needs. 

What Does an Occupational Therapist Do?

You’re probably well-versed in what a “normal” day looks like for an occupational therapist. The same applies to travel occupational therapists. On any given work day, you might:

  • Map out a support plan to assist a patient with gaining, or renewing, their autonomy
  • Assist clients with learning how to use an assistive device, such as a wheelchair, walker, or prosthetic
  • Demonstrate exercises that will support a person’s recovery after an injury
  • Provide caregiver and family training
  • Offer techniques to help an individual boost their concentration, memory, and executive functions
  • Implement fall prevention plans in a senior’s home, or install adaptive equipment (such as stair lifts or grab rails)
  • Track your patients’ progress and offer counsel on next steps

Besides the obvious shifting between different locations, the chief difference between a traditional occupational therapist and a travel occupational therapist is that your time with clients may not be as long as the relationships you savor at home (or hope to establish as you dive deeper into the field).

While the rewards of working as a travel OT—such as watching patients thrive and contributing to a healthier world—are similar to those of a non-travel therapy role, travel positions offer unique opportunities. You can take on 26-week (or longer) assignments in destinations you’d love to explore, and with the help of a recruiter, like the professionals at Host Healthcare, you can often negotiate the length of your assignment to fit your preferences.

Why Choose a Career as a Travel Occupational Therapist?

As an occupational therapist, you likely know why you chose to work in the field. But the profession takes on next-level excitement when it incorporates travel. 

As a traveling OT, you can experience:

  • The chance to boost your income – According to the latest statistics, occupational therapists enjoy a median annual income of $93,180; some, however, may make as much as $104,370. Travel occupational therapists often have the potential to earn a bit more, with an average annual salary estimated at $107,163. Why? Many healthcare employers are willing to pay competitive wages to OTs who are open to filling temporary positions. You might also qualify for tax exemptions if you maintain a tax home while you’re adventuring around the country.
  • The opportunity to explore new states and cities – Since most travel OT assignments last around 13 weeks, you’ll have ample time to immerse yourself in the local culture, get to know the people, and explore the cuisine and art on a much deeper level than a typical week-long vacation would allow. Plus, remember what we mentioned earlier: If you connect with a place, your recruiter may be able to negotiate a longer contract.
  • The chance to expand your knowledge and skills — Every new healthcare facility, boss, colleague, and patient offers an opportunity to expand your knowledge of occupational therapy. For example, you might learn a new technique for working with amputees in one city and master an assistive device in another. These experiences will not only enhance your expertise but also add valuable authority and credibility to your resume.

Educational Requirements for Travel Occupational Therapists

The educational requirements for travel occupational therapists mirror those of traditional occupational therapists. For individuals who are just now exploring the idea of becoming an occupational therapist—travel or not—the educational requirements are as follows:

  • Bachelor’s degree – Aspiring occupational therapists must first obtain a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. While the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA) does not require a specific major, some OT hopefuls pursue undergraduate degrees in related disciplines, such as:
    • Biology
    • Kinesiology 
    • Psychology 
    • Human Anatomy
    • Statistics
    • Education
    • Human Physiology

This is usually followed by observation hours (or shadowing a licensed occupational therapist). 

  • Advanced degree – Obtaining licensure as an occupational therapist requires an advanced degree specifically in occupational therapy, either a Master’s of Occupational Therapy (MOT) or a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy (ODT). Both degrees, combined with clinical experience and passing the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT), will enable you to apply for licensure. 

No matter which degree you choose, keep in mind that you’ll also need to gain fieldwork experience—valuable hours that will give you first-hand knowledge of the profession.

How to Become a Traveling Occupational Therapist: Licensure Requirements 

You might already know that occupational therapists must apply for licensure in their chosen state; the requirements for this vary by state.

Travel occupational therapists need to take this a step further and obtain licensure in each state they plan or hope to work in. But here’s the good news: The Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact (OT Compact), a formal interstate agreement, allows OTs to work with a single license across 31 states.

Don’t see the state you’ve been eyeing on the list? 

Some states may allow you to practice under a temporary license or limited permit. 

How to Gain Experience as an Occupational Therapist Before You Travel

Following licensure, you can round out your CV before discussing travel opportunities with a staffing company like Host Healthcare. This could mean applying to a variety of healthcare environments, like:

  • Outpatient rehab centers
  • Hospitals
  • Psychiatric wards
  • Community clinics
  • Home health services

Doing so can showcase your adaptability and gift for working in a number of settings. 

How to Find Travel Occupational Therapist Job Opportunities 

If you’ve already fulfilled your educational and licensing requirements—and have gained considerable experience as an occupational therapist—you may be eager to pack your bags and get going on your first assignment. But how do you score a role as a traveling occupational therapist?

You might want to take a multi-pronged approach by:

  • Checking out first-rate travel agencies – Search for agencies that are clear about the advantages they offer. At Host Healthcare, we offer exclusive access to thousands of travel therapy jobs across every state, ensuring your assignment matches your preferences, needs, and long-term career goals. We also offer day-one benefits, housing support, and more. 
  • Crafting an eye-catching resume – Your resume is often your first and most lasting impression with employers. With that in mind, be sure to tailor it specifically for travel occupational therapist positions. This may mean emphasizing qualities that will be particularly attractive in travel positions, such as flexibility, adaptability, and collaboration.
  • Leveraging social media – Facebook, Instagram, X—all can be useful resources for connecting with both new and seasoned travel occupational therapists, learning about the latest news in the industry, and discovering potential temporary positions.

Key Certifications Needed for Travel Occupational Therapy

Do you need any special certifications to work as a traveling occupational therapist?

No; rather, you need the licensure and fieldwork experience covered earlier.

However, if you’ve been weighing the idea of pursuing a specialty certification in occupational therapy, now may be the time to do so. Depending on what calls to you most, this may mean going after:

  • Board Certification in Gerontology (BCG)
  • Aquatic Therapeutic Exercise Certification
  • Neurodevelopmental Treatment Certification
  • Board Certification in Pediatrics (BCP)
  • Certified Autism Specialist (CAS)

Another idea? If you have a certain location in mind, get a feel for the specialized OTs they need. You might just find that their shortages align with one of your interests. 

Tips for Success as a Traveling Occupational Therapist

If you’ve been asking, “Do occupational therapists travel?,” the answer is (as you can see) yes. But how can you thrive while you’re on the road? Consider:

  • Welcoming versatility – We’re guessing that one of the top reasons you’re keen on understanding how to become an occupational therapist is to gain new experiences—both inside and outside of work. So, remember to embrace change, including the challenges that come with it. You’ll grow exponentially because of it.
  • Performing research – Learning the layout of your new healthcare facility and city before starting your assignment is essential to walking into your role with confidence.
  • Asking questions – Traveling to and working in a new environment may be nothing short of exhilarating. As with anything new, though, it can also be daunting. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and get support when you need it—whether it’s from a fellow OT or your recruiter. 

Explore the World in More Ways Than One with Host Healthcare

As you know, occupational therapists strive to help others gain independence—now, it may be time for you to gain optimal independence as a traveling occupational therapist.

Host Healthcare has its own passion: helping you get there. When you partner with Host Healthcare, you’ll be matched with a dedicated recruiter who is committed to helping you achieve your full potential in your therapy career. With exclusive access to thousands of travel therapy jobs and connections to healthcare professionals nationwide, plus free unlimited CEUs, our recruiters are the supportive travel companions you’ve been looking for.

Harness the career of your dreams by applying with Host Healthcare today.

 

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