The path to becoming a physical therapist is long, but it’s one you’ve worked hard to pave. Whether you’re finalizing your licensure or you’re an experienced pro looking to expand your horizons, you might be contemplating an exciting next step: embracing a slice of adventure as a travel physical therapist.

What does that involve?

Rest assured, you’ve already done the hard part. With a little guidance from the recruiters at Host Healthcare (and this handy guide), you’ll learn how to become a traveling physical therapist and be on your way to exploring the country and perfecting your craft.

Why Choose a Career as a Traveling Physical Therapist?

As a PT, you’re already aware of the many reasons you worked hard to earn your title, such as a passion for helping others and the appreciation of job security. However, some of these advantages can take on new depth when you add the word “traveling” to your title.

As a traveling physical therapist, here are a few perks you can expect:

  • Experience new cities – This one might be obvious, but it deserves to be mentioned nonetheless. Traveling therapists typically spend a few months at one destination before heading to their next position. This gives you enough time to explore each city’s unique culture, cuisine, and sights before choosing another city to check off your bucket list. And if you really connect with a locale’s vibe, you may be able to extend your assignment for up to a year.
  • Earn a higher income – According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, physical therapists in permanent roles earn an average annual salary of $99,710. However, many employers offer competitive hourly wages to travelers willing to fill short-term roles. Additionally, if you maintain a tax home (the place where you spend most of your time for business purposes), you may qualify for tax exemptions. This could boost your after-tax income compared to those in permanent positions.
  • Expand your knowledge with constant professional development opportunities – Sure, you can attend professional development courses in a permanent role. But as a traveler, you’re exposed to unique opportunities at each assignment and will often face challenges that require you to adapt and learn different treatment techniques. You’ll also learn from experienced PTs across the country, absorbing their expertise for future practice.

Understanding the Role of a Traveling Physical Therapist

Your day-to-day responsibilities as a traveling physical therapist will be similar to those of someone in a permanent role. You’ll spend your on-the-clock hours conducting patient evaluations, developing treatment plants, implementing interventions to improve your patient’s overall functionality, and adjusting treatment plants as needed.

In addition to those tasks, some of your new responsibilities as a traveling therapist will include:

  • Adapting to new environments – Each assignment brings a new work setting, from hospitals to rehabilitation centers. Because you’ll experience these changes semi-regularly, it’s important to be comfortable adapting to each environment’s different protocols and physical layout.
  • Working with diverse populations – As a permanent PT, you’d likely work with patients on a long-term basis and gain familiarity with a particular specialty. However, as a traveling therapist, you’ll have the chance to work with a wider range of patients, such as orthopedic, geriatric, or neurological patients. This gives you greater exposure to specialties you may identify as areas of interest for future pursuits. It also prepares you to take on a more diverse set of challenges in upcoming assignments.
  • Building relationships – With each different location comes a new set of coworkers. Skills, such as collaboration and communication, are essential in helping you build budding relationships with colleagues and patients alike.
  • Keeping up with state licensures – Each state requires PTs to have a valid license to practice. If you plan on working in states all over the country, this can become timely and expensive. A more cost-effective solution is obtaining a Physical Therapy Compact, which allows you to work in all states that participate in the compact without requiring separate licenses.

Educational Requirements for Traveling Physical Therapists

Before embarking on your next big adventure as a traveling therapist, you’ll need to complete the following educational and certification requirements:

  • Earn a bachelor’s degree – Typically, aspiring PTs complete their four-year undergraduate studies in a major such as kinesiology, biology, or exercise science.
  • Obtain a doctor of physical therapy examination (DPT) – Most DPT programs are three to three and a half years in length and involve a combination of coursework and clinical rotations.
  • Pass the National Physical Therapy Examination (NPTE) – This exam, offered four times a year, consists of five sections and 225 questions.
  • Secure your state licensure – As mentioned earlier, traveling therapists can choose between obtaining individual state licenses or opting for the Physical Therapy Compact. If you want to try travel PT for one or two assignments to see if it suits you, we recommend the PT Compact. It requires only a one-time application fee and is generally more cost-effective than obtaining individual state licenses.
  • Gain clinical experience – Many travel PT positions prefer individuals who’ve had at least a year of experience, but Host Healthcare also welcomes new graduates. If you’re a recent grad, connect with one of our dedicated recruiters around graduation time to discuss the steps to start your travel therapy career.

How to Find Travel Physical Therapy Jobs

If you’ve already completed the educational requirements, you might feel ready to take on your first assignment. But how, exactly, do you find travel jobs?

With so many resources available online, the process may feel daunting. Fortunately, with a few key pointers, you’ll be on track toward your travel adventures in no time:

  • Explore reputable travel nursing agencies – With so many online travel agencies for nurses and physical therapists, it can be challenging to find one that just feels right (and checks all your boxes). At Host Healthcare, we handle all the big and small details so you don’t have to. Our experienced recruiters will find assignments that meet your specific needs, offer health benefits from day one, and provide personalized housing assistance.
  • Network with like-minded professionals – As a member of certain organizations, like the American Physical Therapy Association, you’ll have access to innovative industry insights, networking events, and job boards. And at in-person and online networking events, you can speak with other PTs about their experiences in travel positions and gather valuable advice for your future assignments.
  • Take advantage of job fairs and conferences – Recruiters and employers often attend these events, so you’ll have the opportunity to speak with representatives from different travel agencies.
  • Prepare a stand-out application – Tailor your resume for travel PT positions by emphasizing recent clinical experience and skills that are particularly useful in a travel role, such as strong communication and adaptability.

Tips for Success as a Traveling Physical Therapist

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.

Kagan, Julia. “Tax Home: What It Is, How It Works, Examples and FAQ.” Investopedia, www.investopedia.com/terms/t/taxhome.asp. Accessed 1 Aug. 2024.

“Learn More.” About Us – PT Compact, ptcompact.org/about-compact. Accessed 1 Aug. 2024.

“The Federation of State Boards of Physical Therapy.” FSBPT, www.fsbpt.org/Free-Resources/NPTE-Candidate-Handbook/Understanding-the-NPTE. Accessed 1 Aug. 2024.