Permanent Placement: This generally means a job where you are placed for a definite period of time to last until the end of your contract. Any rehab setting is seen here: acute, home health, out-patient etc. Typical assignment length is usually the length of the contract (1 year to 3 years)
Traveling: This indicates that a therapist will be transferred to different PT institutions/clinics/hospitals etc. This is done after several times within a signed contract length. The length of each individual assignment depends on the agency, but I have commonly seen 13 weeks to 6 months assignments within a certain facility and a contract length of 1 to 3 years.
Requirements/Job Qualifications:
Permanent Placement: Any foreign-educated PT is qualified in this position as long as they have obtained a license within the state.
Traveling: This position usually calls for individuals who are single or married but without school aged children. This is not done to discriminate the individual, but to protect the PT from the possible family problems that may occur with constant moving. The job usually calls for individuals with 1 year driving experience and basic automotive maintenance skills. Credentialing must meet the current FSBPT CWT to be able to easily transfer to another state.
Benefits:
Permanent Placement:
- Opportunity for career growth within the facility. Typically, agencies and direct hire facilities stipulate within contracts the length of time before requests for salary increase (and increase of managerial duties) is usually 1 year. Permanent placement positions usually last more than a year, and such, negotiations for raises and more job responsibilities may be made.
- Long-lasting professional relationships and friendships. Without the hassle of constant moving, you have the opportunity to make and foster long-lasting friendships. There is also the security in a workplace that cannot be achieved by traveling therapists.
Traveling:
- Free housing. Most, if not all traveling agencies offer free housing within the contract period. This is usually in the form of an 1-room apartment. This is great for those who have just migrated to the US because it cuts the costs. Usually, the traveling agency also pays for the furniture rental. I had an interview with this certain agency and was told that if I wanted a bigger apartment, the additional cost of attaining one should be shouldered by me. Recruiters usually use this as a trump card because you can save a lot of money with free rent (you just have to pay for amenities). And they usually tell you that you can move in with literally only your suitcase. Appliances, bedsheets, curtains etc are provided by the agency.
- Free transportation or car loan plans. Newly migrated PTs have difficulty obtaining loans for cars; most agencies provide a company car or car loan plans that will be met throughout the contract period.
- Free gas: Most of the traveling PT’s are given gas cards or reimbursed for job-related traveling.
- Free licensure processing. In endorsing your license, the agency will pay the fees for transfer to another state and help you in obtaining the license.
Note: This is list is not definite, but contains at least the minimal benefits you should receive.
The Cons:
Permanent Placement:
- Usually there is no free housing. At the most, there are units made available by the company at lower rates. But some companies have free housing units (according to what I have heard), but I have yet to talk to a recruiter that offers such.
- Individuals who are unsatisfied with the work conditions of their current facility are stuck with them for the duration of the contract. Personally, I do not recommend breaching contracts due to the cost and the professionalism involved. Other employers may become wary of employing such individuals, and if another company buys out your contract, there is usually something in return (decreased salary, less benefits)
Traveling:
- Constant moving. Yes, traveling is great. But after a length of time, it becomes boring. You may be assigned to a remote area. Relationships are at a 13-week or 6-month duration, then after, it is then considered long-distance. Recruiters constantly tell you that your preference in location will be given consideration in assignments, but at the end of the day, the agency will still place you in an area that would be most profitable for them.
- Families are the ones affected. It would be very difficult to remain a traveling physical therapist if your spouse is involved in a permanent placement position, PT related or not. Children also have a difficult time in adjusting to the constant change. As stated earlier, PTs with school age children are usually not given traveling jobs because it will affect the child’s attendance in school.
Agencies:
Permanent Placement:
- Bilinguals Inc./Axiom Link: www.bilingualsinc.com
- O’Grady Peyton: www.ograyypeyton.com
> Also offers traveling PT after finishing their contract or for US-grads - Interface Rehab: www.interfacerehab.com
> Also offers traveling positions within CA
> Note: CA is usually a difficult state to enter for migrating workers due to SSN requirements. - Julie Edmunds Associates: http://www.juliaedmunds.com/
Traveling:
- Atlas Rehabilitation: www.atlasrehabilitation.com
- PPR Healthcare: www.pprhealthcare.com
